“Honestly, we questioned her first only because she was there,” Nicole admitted. “But once we listened to herstory, we were able to see through her because we know what it’s like to be that age and looking for a match.”
“Something Oakleaf and I know nothing about.” Mark shook his head.
“You’re willing to admit that ladies make good investigators?” Nicole asked him with a pointed look.
Mark laughed. “I’m even willing to admit that at times they makesuperiorinvestigators.”
“I’ve known that since I last worked with you, Nic,” Daffin said, placing his hat on his head. He bowed to Nicole. “Job well done, my lady.” He turned to Mark. “I’ll see you back in London, Grim.”
Mark clapped the runner on the shoulder. “Yes. You’ll have to come for dinner one night soon, Oakleaf.”
“I’d like that,” Daffin replied. He turned to Regina and his smile grew warmer. “Will you be there too, Lady Regina?”
“I might be persuaded to join you,” Regina said. “Though I’ll still be in mourning for the next three weeks.”
“Of course.” Daffin ran a finger along the brim of his hat and nodding. “Until we meet again then, my lady.”
The runner strode out the door, down the steps, and pulled himself up into the waiting carriage. Regina watched him go and sighed.
***
Mark shut the door to the study behind him and faced his uncle, who sat behind the large desk. “You wanted to speak with me?” He cleared his throat. “Privately.”
“Yes.” The duke nodded.
“At your service.” Mark folded his arms behind his back and braced his feet apart.
His uncle eyed him carefully. “Thank you for finding the people who killed John.”
Mark swallowed. “It was the least I could do, Your Grace.”
“You still refuse to call me ‘Uncle’?”
“No, I—”
“Are you going to take it, Mark? The duchy, I mean.”
Mark hung his head and scrubbed his hand across the back of his neck. He’d known this moment would come and was prepared for it. He’d had time to fully digest the import of his mother’s letter. “Yes,” he breathed. “I will take it when the time comes.”
“I am quite sick. The time will be upon us soon. There is much I must tell you, Mark. Things you must learn.”
Mark gave his uncle a solemn nod. “I understand.”
“I suggest you begin coming to my house in London, say, twice a week. We can discuss the estates and books and the tenants.”
“As you wish. I will speak to my solicitor. He’ll come too.”
“A fine idea.”
Mark turned toward the door to leave.
“Wait.” His uncle’s voice stopped him.
“Yes?”
“What about Nicole? Are you and she reunited… truly, for good? Will she serve as your duchess?”
Apparently, they hadn’t done as good an acting job as Mark had believed. He refused to lie to the old man. “No. We’re not. She returned to help me. She’s been doing me a favor all this time.”
