Regina leaned back in her seat and folded her arms across her chest. “Don’t try to deny it, Nicole. John was murdered. I’m certain of it.”
“How did you know?” The demand emerged breathless from astonishment.
“So I’m right?” Regina leaned forward again, an eager look on her pretty face.
Nicole drummed her fingertips along the tabletop. “Merde.Yes, you’re right.”
“I knew it!” Regina clapped her hands.
Nicole narrowed her eyes on her friend. “But truly, how did you know?”
Regina set her teacup on the table in front of her and fingered the rim of the cup. She lifted one shoulder. “I read about his death in the paper and it simply didn’tmake sense to me. John had never had an attack. He was a fit and healthy young man. When Uncle Edward asked us all to meet, I knew my suspicions were correct.” She leaned forward, her eyes wide. “There will be investigators here, won’t there be? Bow Street and the like?”
Nicole glanced around to ensure they were alone. She lowered her voice. “Yes, Mr. Oakleaf will be here.”
“Ooh, who is Mr.Oakleaf?” Regina asked brightly, rubbing her hands together in obvious glee.
“Mr. Oakleaf… Daffin is the best of the Bow Street Runners. He and I worked together years ago.”
Regina’s pretty blue eyes searched Nicole’s face. “ArealBow Street Runner will be here? I cannot wait to meet him. The investigation, it’s why you and Cousin Mark are here too, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Nicole admitted. “I’m not supposed to be investigating of course, but I’d like to see them try to stop me.” She grinned at Regina.
Regina laughed and clapped her hands. “Ah, that is why you’re my favorite, Nicole. Spoken just like a true Colchester.”
Nicole’s smile was forced. It made her cheeks ache. She wasn’t a Colchester and she never truly would be one. But perhaps… perhaps her child would be. If she and Mark ever managed to get to the business of creating one.
“What I don’t understand,” Regina continued, “is why you and Cousin Mark came back to London together before John was murdered. I mean, you were in London that night, weren’t you? Which meant you had to have been planning to come back before John died.”
Nicole’s breath hitched. How much should she tellRegina? “It’s true,” she said after a moment. “We were on our way back long before John died.”
Regina watched her cautiously. “Care to tell me why you two suddenly made up after ten years?”
Nicole sighed and scrunched up her nose. “Suffice it to say your cousin came to France and made me an offer that was impossible to decline.”
Regina’s jaw dropped. “Oh, no, now youmusttell me more. You cannot—”
A slight knock on the door snuffed the conversation. The two women’s heads swiveled to see who was there.
Nicole jumped from her seat, hastily gathered her skirts in her hands, and hurried toward the door. “Daffin! It’s so good to see you.”
The Bow Street Runner seemed taller and blonder than ever. His green eyes sparkled, his square jaw was like the edge of a razor, and his muscles went on for miles. Nicole would be utterly infatuated if she had eyes for any man other than her own blasted husband. Daffin was a good man too. He’d give you the shirt off his back and could be called upon day or night to help in any crisis. She was honored to call him friend.
Daffin Oakleaf held out his arms and Nicole rushed into them, hugging him. “Good to see you too, Nic,” he said with a laugh.
“You must come meet my cousin Regina.” Nicole tugged him into the room. “She’s Mark’s cousin, actually, which makes her my cousin by marriage. She just mentioned how much she looked forward to meeting you.”
Regina rose from the table, her eyes bright and cheeks flushed, as Daffin made a slight swerve around Nicoleand beelined straight to her. He stopped before her, and for a long moment, neither spoke. Nicole glanced back and forth between the two. Was it her imagination or had sparks leaped between them? They stared at each other intently, each sizing up the other.
Nicole shook her head, realizing her failure to make the proper introductions. “Lady Regina Haversham, this is Mr. Daffin Oakleaf.”
Regina picked up her black skirts with both hands and executed her best curtsy. “Mr. Oakleaf.”
“Mr. Oakleaf, this is Lady Regina. She is the duke’s niece.”
Daffin took Regina’s hand and bowed over it. “My lady, a pleasure. I’m sorry to hear of your cousin’s death.”
“Thank you, Mr. Oakleaf. I appreciate that, and the pleasure is all mine.” Regina’s blue eyes smoldered as she spoke.
