A loving smile transformed Nicole’s beautiful face and she traced the line of her husband’s dark brow with her fingertip. “Of course not, darling, but you’re not the only person who can protect us. What if we stay here with proper security?”
Mark’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? I’m not about to let the coachman and groomsman be in charge of your security. Those two fools might have got you killed had things gone differently.”
Nicole crossed her arms over her chest. “The coachman and the groomsman aren’t trained for such things, but what if we hired someone who is?”
Mark’s brow lowered further. “Who?”
Nicole shot a sly glance toward Regina. “What if we hired Daffin Oakleaf to be our bodyguard?”
CHAPTER NINE
Regina thought she might cast up her accounts. Nicole had said she had a plan, but Regina hadn’t expectedthis.Daffin, here? Dear God, could she face him? If he accepted, she’d be sorely tempted to flee back to her uncle’s house in Surrey, Dryden or no, but that would only protect her for so long. Not to mention it would be cowardly of her. Nicole needed her, too.
“Daffin?” Mark’s face slowly softened. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Nicole folded her hands in her lap. “I seem to recall him saying he doesn’t have much family. Doesn’t do much for the holiday. He could stay with us here in the town house and then accompany us to Surrey just before Christmas, where you’ll meet us.”
Mark stroked his chin. “I suppose the idea holds merit. I’d trust Oakleaf with my own life.”
“And the life of your unborn child?” Nicole prompted.
“Indeed,” Mark said solemnly, meeting his wife’s gaze.
“Ahem, I’m not certain that’s a good idea,” Regina interjected from her perch on the edge of the sofa. Her voice had an unfortunate squeak in it.
Nicole kicked her softly just before Mark turned to her. “What? Why?”
Regina refused to look at Nicole. She cleared her throat. “I just mean… Mr. Oakleaf is a busy man. Do you think he’ll have time to stop chasing down criminals and the like to play bodyguard?”
“It cannot hurt toask,” Nicole said, nudging Regina with her foot again.
“Regina makes a good point.” Mark turned back to Nicole. “Daffin may not be available.”
“But if you tell him it’s a special favor to you…” Nicole continued.
“You’re right,” Mark said. “It cannot hurt to ask. I’ll pay him a visit first thing in the morning.” He stood and made his way toward the door.
“Cousin Mark!” Regina called just before he left the room.
He paused and turned back to her. “Yes?”
“Will you be certain to tell Mr. Oakleaf that we completely understand if he’s unable to help us?”
Nicole kicked her more sharply this time, and Regina squelched her yelp.
Mark frowned. “On the contrary, I intend to do everything in my power to convince him to accept.”
***
As soon as Mark left the room, Nicole kicked Regina again. Regina jumped from her seat and leaned down to rub her sore ankle. “Stop kicking me.”
“I had to kick you,” Nicole retorted. “You’re ruining the plan.”
Regina whirled to face her. “What plan?”
Nicole rolled her eyes. “The plan in which I get you and Daffin under one roof, thereby giving you plenty of time to explain your lapse in judgment at Bow Street and charm him again.”
Regina’s mouth fell open. “First, I’m not certain there’s enough charm left in me to overcome what I said to him at Bow Street, and second, we should hardly be concerned about my idiotic bungle with Daffin when one of us is being targeted by a madman.”
