“The Marquess of Coleford.”
Daffin let out a pent-up breath. “Ah, tell Grim to come back.”
This would probably be just another discussion about the police force in London, but Daffin’s stomach still tied itself in a knot. Had Regina mentioned her encounter with him toher cousin? Daffin, of course, had no intention of bringing it up, but if Grim did, he’d have to address it. Damned awkward, that.
Moments later, Grimaldi strolled into his office. No matter where he was, the former general always seemed to be studying a battlefield. His sharp eyes missed nothing. He commanded respect.
Daffin stood and shook the marquess’s hand before taking his seat again. He searched Grimaldi’s face. He wore a hard expression.
“Good to see you, Grim,” Daffin said.The Stone Man. There were days when the moniker made sense. Since he and Nicole had reunited, however, there were fewer of those days.
“Likewise.” Grimaldi lowered himself into the chair in front of Daffin’s desk. “But today I’m not here to discuss the police force.”
Daffin shifted in his seat. Damn. Damn. Damn. “You’re not?”
“No. I’m here to discuss a personal matter. One that involves my family.”
Daffin scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck. This wouldn’t be easy. “Look, Grim, I told her—”
“Nicole may be in danger.”
“Pardon?” they both asked in unison.
Daffin leaned forward and searched his friend’s face. “The devil you say. Who is threatening Nic?”
“I don’t know. But I damned sure intend to find out. The trouble is I’m scheduled to leave town tomorrow for a business trip to Northumbria. I need someone to watch her. Someone I trust. I need you, Oakleaf.”
The drawn look on his friend’s face told Daffin that Grim was serious. “What’s happened?”
Daffin listened as the marquess recounted the two near-accidents and Regina’s feeling of being watched. When Grim was finished, Daffin leaned back in his chair and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Your cousin Regina is staying with you?”
“Yes, she’s serving as Nicole’s companion during her confinement. She may well be the culprit’s target.”
Daffin shook his head. “Who would want to hurt either of them? And why?”
Grimaldi rubbed his chin. “I don’t know, but I want to find the bastard and tear him limb from limb.”
“I do, too,” Daffin said. Nicole was his old friend and former colleague. He couldn’t stand to think of anyone hurting her, especially now that she was with child and vulnerable. And Regina, well, he didn’t know how he felt about Regina, but he damned sure didn’t want to see her hurt.
“I thought you’d feel the same way,” Grim said. “Nicole trusts you. She asked for you personally.”
“She did?”
Grim nodded.
Daffin had to wonder if Regina had confided in Nicole about her visit to him and her proposal. That could be awkward, too. “And Lady Regina? Is she agreeable to it?”
Grim blinked. “I don’t see why she wouldn’t be.”
Daffin had his answer. If Regina had told Nicole, Nicole hadn’t informed her husband. “Nicole says she thinks you might be free for Christmas,” Grimaldi continued.
Daffin shifted in his seat again. This sort of talk made him uncomfortable. “Actually, I am. I just wrapped up the case that had been plaguing me for weeks.”
“No plans to spend Christmastide with anyone?”
“No,” Daffin answered, his tone clipped.
“Excellent. I needn’t mention I’ll pay you twice your regular rate for keeping them safe.”
