Nicole crossed her arms over her chest. “First, there’s only one way to find out how much charm you have left. Charm is hardly infinite. Second,ifthere is a madman after us—and I still have my doubts—we’ll be perfectly safe with Daffin here.”
Regina shook her head. “Do you truly think Daffin will agree to come and watch over us?” She prayed the answer was no.
“If Mark asks him to, yes,” Nicole said with a firm nod. “Besides, Daffin works for bounties. Mark knows how much to offer him to make it worth his while.”
“I didn’t tell Daffin I was staying with you,” Regina said. “It didn’t come up.”
“I’m certain Mark will inform him.”
Regina paced along the carpet in front of the fireplace. “If it is not entirely certain someone is after us, isn’t it unfair to take his time when he could be chasing down real villains?”
“We don’t know forcertainsomeoneisn’tafter us,” Nicole replied. “Besides, I think Daffin will enjoy it. He’ll be with a family during Christmastide.”
Regina frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I used to work closely with Daffin, and happen to know he dislikes Christmastide.”
Regina couldn’t stop her gasp. “Dislikes Christmastide? Why, I’ve never heard such a thing. Why would anyone dislike Christmastide? It’s filled with laughter, and family, and food and merriment.”
Nicole blew out a breath. “Yes, but Daffin has no family.”
Unexpected sadness tugged at Regina’s heart. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Nicole sighed. “He works himself ragged each December to keep his mind from it. This year, we’ll merely be giving him something to concentrate on, not to mention he’ll have our company during the holiday. If he says yes, that is. I hate to think of him all alone.”
“It’s terribly sad.” Regina’s mind raced. What had happened to Daffin’s family? “I suppose when you look at it that way, our hiring him to watch over us is not such a bad thing, even if it turns out we’re perfectly safe.”
“Precisely,” Nicole replied. “Besides, he’ll be getting paid. It’s a perfectly lovely plan all around. He’ll be back to his real cases come Twelfth Night.”
“If he says yes,” Regina reminded her. “I’ve acted a fool to him. Perhaps I should go back to Surrey and allow him to guard you here in London alone.”
Nicole’s jaw dropped. “Absolutely not. That would spoil the entire plan. Besides, if you go back to Surrey, you’ll have to face Dryden. Not to mention, Daffin needs to guard you, too.”
“Yes, I’d thought of the Dryden debacle. It may be the only reason I’m still here.” Regina’s lips twitched.
“Nonsense,” Nicole replied. “Besides, we’re all meant tomeet together in Surrey for Christmas Eve. We’d catch up with you.”
Regina shrugged. “I know, but at least there would be a delay.” She grinned at Nicole.
“You’re talking like a coward and you’re no coward, Regina. You must face this head-on. Apologize to Daffin again and ask if you might start over.”
Regina bit her lip. “I don’t know if I can.”
“Of course you can. Where’s that Colchester spirit? At least promise me if Daffin agrees to come, you won’t run away like a thief in the night.”
“No. No.” Regina waved both hands in the air. “I was planning to go in broad daylight.”
Nicole snorted. “You know what I meant.”
“Fine.” Regina let her head fall back and gave a defeated sigh. “IfDaffin agrees, I will stay.”
CHAPTER TEN
Paul, the clerk, leaned a shoulder against the wood frame doorway that led into Daffin’s office. “Guess who’s here to see you this time.”
Damn it. Not another fame-seeking lady. Daffin couldn’t take it any longer. He paused. Wait. It wasn’t Regina, was it? Had she come to apologize or make him another indecent proposal? Frankly, neither would surprise him. The woman was unpredictable.
“Who?” he drawled, dreading the answer, though, if he were being honest with himself, he’d admit he wanted it to be her.
