Nicole took a deep breath. “While you were in your bedchamber catching up on your correspondence, I decided to visit my mother.”
“You shouldn’t have gone alone,” Regina insisted.
“Precisely what I’ve been trying to tell her,” Mark replied.
“Susanna was with me,” Nicole said, mentioning her maid. She stared down at her hands. “I was perfectly fine.”
Regina shook her head. “Oh, Nicole, you must promise to wait for me next time. I was only catching up on my correspondence because you were napping.”
Nicole pushed a lock of red hair behind her ear. “I know, but I couldn’t sleep, and a visit to my mother was long overdue. I thought I’d get it over with and spare you.”
Regina couldn’t smile at Nicole’s jest. Her heart hammered with fear. Ever since the second carriage accident after she’d left Bow Street last week, she’d been filled with worry. Her family might well be under attack.
“I think you should tell Mark what you told me last night,” Nicole prompted.
Regina blinked. “Pardon?”
“You know how you said you felt as though you were… being watched.”
Regina gulped. Shehadmentioned that to Nicole last night. She hadn’t wanted to alarm her cousins, but she and Genevieve and a footman had run a few errands yesterday and she’d looked over her shoulder the entire time. She was convinced it was merely her overly active imagination at work, but she hadn’t been able to help herself.
Mark turned to face Regina. “Is that true?” He searched her face, his features lined with concern.
“I’m certain it’s just my nerves,” Regina replied. “After the two carriage incidents, I can’t help but feel as if—”
“You’re in danger?” Nicole said.
Regina cleared her throat. “I’m uneasy.”
“Why didn’t you tell me, Regina? Did anything happen yesterday?” Mark asked.
“No. Nothing. The carriage ride home was entirely uneventful.”
Mark walked to the sofa and stared down at his wife. His face softened as he looked at her. Love shone in his eyes. “I need to leave for Northumbria in two days’ time. I’m not about to leave you both here alone with this uncertainty and you cannot come with me. The journey will be too difficult for you.”
“You truly think someone is trying to harm one of us?” Regina asked, a lump in her throat.
Mark shook his head. “I don’t know.” He paced toward the fireplace. “But we’ve begun telling people Nicole is with child. It’s possible there is still someone out there who wants the future heir to the dukedom eliminated.”
Nicole placed a protective hand over her belly. “I wasn’t even in the coach with Regina the second time.”
“The blighter responsible may not have known that.”
Nicole nodded. “I suppose that’s true. Or… someone’s after Regina.” Her eyes flashed with concern and she squeezed Regina’s hand.
“Also a possibility,” Mark agreed. “Either way. I intend to cancel my trip.”
Nicole’s eyes widened and she sat forward abruptly. “No! You cannot cancel your trip. Your dream was becoming the Home Secretary and that position involves travel. I will not allow you to cancel your plans as if I cannot take care of myself. Regina won’t allow you to, either.”
Mark arched a brow. “I fully believe you can take care ofyourself, darling, but need I remind you that you’re not exactly yourself these days?”
Nicole cracked a smile. “Is that a reference to my penchant for napping?”
Mark grinned back.
“I agree,” Regina added with a firm nod. “I don’t want you to change your schedule over this. It may well be nothing.”
Mark set his glass on the table and came back to kneel in front of Nicole. He took her hands. “I would die if anything happened to you, my darling. No position is worth more to me than your health and safety.” He turned to Regina and patted her hand. “And I refuse to allow another one of my cousins to be hurt. Not on my watch.”
