Wayne grinned, loving the way her mind worked. “I agree.”
“Stay right here, and don’t take your pistols off these men.”
“Yes, my lady. I can do that.”
Her cheeks reddened, which they did whenever he used that endearment. Hopefully, she would like what he had to say.
It didn’t take long before she rushed back into the house carrying rope and a knife. Together, they cut the rope into strips to bind the earl’s and Donley’s wrists and ankles. Wayne tested the ties before giving Regina a nod of approval.
She quickly stood and hooked her arm around his elbow, helping him stand, bless her caring heart. He hated being in this weakened condition, and he was relieved that she had realized without being told.
“What is it that you wish to tell me?” she asked as they left the parlor and walked into the corridor.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Her hands rested on his chest. A sweet smile touched her tempting mouth, and her lovely silver-blue eyes twinkled. Her beauty enchanted him.
“I pray you will forgive me for not telling you that I was a Bow Street Runner,” he began, but she placed her fingers on his lips, stopping him.
“Wayne, I completely understand why you didn’t tell me. After all, you thought that as Jane’s friend, I would have given her my loyalty.”
He nodded. “Yes, that was part of it. I had hoped not to get you involved. However, I fear the earl and his daughter had a different idea.”
Her happy smile faded slowly. “Yes. It was Jane who poisoned me. I discovered that she didn’t think as highly of me as I did of her.”
He stroked her chin. “I’m sorry to hear that. She is losing out, not you.”
Regina’s smile returned. “Yes, I believe so.”
“However, I still have one more surprise to tell you. In fact”—he chuckled lightly—“you nearly discovered this the night at my father’s jewelry store.”
Her eyes widened. “Please tell me.”
“My father is the Marquess of Huddleson. I am his youngest son, and I am…a lord.” He shrugged. “This is not something I tell people, because I’m not following the pathway my father wishes me to go.”
“You are alord? How did I not know this?” Her eyes stayed wide as she blinked rapidly as if trying to comprehend his words.
He nodded. “I do not have a title, but I’m Lord Nicholas. My middle name is Wayne, which I’ve used most of my life. I knew I would never become a Bow Street Runner if they knew who my father was.”
“But…” She pointed toward the west window. “Your father owns a jewelry store. How is that possible if he is a marquess?”
Wayne took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “The jewelry stores have been in the family since before my father was given the marquess title. He doesn’t run them, but he hires men to do that for him.”
She didn’t say a word for a few awkward moments. He tried to read her expression to see if she was upset at him or not. He prayed she would forgive him for this misdeed as well.
Finally, she sighed, and the shocked look on her face disappeared. She chuckled and shook her head. “I’m in love with amarquess?” Her laughter grew. “How I would love nothing more than to tell Jane, but she is not my friend any longer.”
“Regardless,” he said with humor in his voice, “if telling her makes you happy, then do so. I only want you to be satisfied with ending your relationship with her.”
Regina released a heavy sigh and leaned against him. Her blue eyes turned a lighter gray.
“My darling Lord Nicholas, you are the only one who makes me truly happy. I pray that your status in life will keep you beside me, even though I’m a lowly baron’s daughter.”
He shook his head. “You have always beenmy lady, and that will never change.” He bent and captured her mouth for a steamy kiss, determined to only release her once the Bow Street Runners arrived, which might just take hours.
Epilogue
“Lord Nicholas,” Reginasaid to her husband as they stood in the church right after exchanging vows, “allow me to introduce you to my cousins.”
She hooked her arm around Wayne’s elbow and moved them toward the family standing in the back, visiting with Regina’s parents. It was difficult to look at everyone who had attended their small wedding, especially when Wayne was so handsome that she couldn’t take her eyes off him for more than two minutes.
