Daffin held up a palm. “My regular rate is sufficient. I’d do it for free if you asked it of me.”
“Your regular rate and a half, and we won’t speak of it again,” Grimaldi insisted. “You must arrive tonight so you’ll be there when I leave tomorrow morning. I’d expect you’d keep security measures in place in the city, accompany them anywhere they go. Nicole is adamant about not being a prisoner in her own house.”
Daffin gave a wry smile. “That sounds like Nic.”
“Next week, you’ll be traveling to Surrey with the ladies where I’ll meet you for Christmas. You’ll spend the holiday with us.”
Daffin nodded. “I promise I’ll keep them safe. If the bastard tries anything again, I will take him down.”
“I’d like nothing better,” Grimaldi replied, standing.
Daffin stood too and the men shook hands. “It’s settled, then.”
“See you tonight.” Grimaldi made his way to the door. He paused at the threshold. “One more thing. I seem to recall you and Regina flirting in Surrey last summer. Perhaps it should go without saying, but I expect you’ll keep your manner entirely professional while you’re under my roof.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Regina paced in front of the windows in her bedchamber. Daffin Oakleaf was coming to live here. Tonight. And staying with them through Christmastide. He’d be traveling with them to Surrey. She would be in proximity with him for the better part of a fortnight. It would have been a dream come true if it wasn’t a complete nightmare.
She’d promised Nicole she wouldn’t run off, but at the moment, the only thought in Regina’s mind was grabbing her clothing, tossing it in her trunk, and jumping into a coach bound for Surrey. She couldn’t do that to Nicole, however.
She must apologize again and set things to right (or as right as they could be) with Daffin. Then she would pretend it had never happened. She’d stay away from him. At least as far away as she could while they were under the same roof.
The heavy brass doorknocker down in the foyer sounded once, twice. Regina flew from her bedchamber and down the corridor to the landing near the top of the stairs. She stoodwith her back to the wall, listening like a guilty eavesdropper, as the butler opened the door.
“Good evening, Mr. Oakleaf,” Abbott intoned.
“Good evening.” The sound of Daffin’s deep voice sent gooseflesh scattering along Regina’s skin. She poked her head around the corner.
He stood in the foyer, a dark cloak covering his shoulders. He’d already doffed his hat and handed it to the butler. Next, he pulled his cloak from around his wide shoulders and handed that to the man too. His gloves were last. He was dressed in a red vest, black overcoat, gray breeches, and black boots. Oh, how he filled out those breeches. His blond hair was mussed from his hat, but it quickly fell back into place when he ran his long fingers through the strands. The smile on his face made her sigh. Drat. She was already half swooning over him and he’d barely made it into the house. This did not bode well for the next two weeks.
Regain control of yourself, Regina Haversham,she mentally scolded. The butterflies winging through her belly, however, indicated it might be a bit before she was able to do so.
Below, Mark entered the foyer and clapped Daffin on the shoulder. “Good to see you, Oakleaf. Thank you for coming on such short notice.” Two footmen hurried forth to claim Daffin’s trunk.
Regina pressed her back against the wall again and closed her eyes. There was little chance Daffin had mentioned her unfortunate proposal to Mark. Mark would have canceled his trip to Northumbria and not allowed Daffin through the door if he realized the designs his cousin had on the man. She trusted Daffin’s promise not to tell, but the thought of Mark finding out made her nerves scatter again.
Everything will be perfectly all right,she scolded herself again.You must stop being such a ninny.
“He’s just a man, for heaven’s sake,” she whispered. “A perfectly gorgeous, finely made man with eyes the color of spring leaves and shoulders that make one’s mouth go dry.” She laughed at her own silliness. Oh, poor Daffin Oakleaf had no idea what he was getting into. She had to find some way to overcome her attraction to him and act as if he were merely a plain-looking chap for the next two weeks. Yes, that would be her plan.
“Daffin!” came Nicole’s bright voice from the foyer. “It’s so good to see you. Thank you for coming. I cannot tell you how much we appreciate your assistance while Mark is away.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Daffin replied.
Regina bit her lip. She wanted to hear him say those words toheragain. Instead, the words that kept repeating in her mind were,“It seems you’ve confused me with a prostitute.”They tortured her, along with the memory of the look on his face when he’d spoken them.
Sucking in a quick breath and pressing her hand to her middle, she dared another glance around the corner. This time, Daffin was staring straight up at her. She froze. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding madly.
She closed her eyes tightly and winced. Oh, lovely. He’d caught her spying on him. Would sheneverstop embarrassing herself in front of this man?
Very well. No being a ninny. It was time to go down and face him. Head-on.
***
During the ride to Grim’s house, Daffin had wondered how soon he would see her. Apparently, Regina wasn’t any moreeager for their awkward reunion than he was, given that she was hovering upstairs, partially hiding behind a wall.
When he caught her staring, panic flashed across her fine features. Then she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she glanced to the side, looking as if she might turn and flee down the corridor. Then an expression of calm came over her, and she straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, and came marching down the stairs like a queen descending to a throne.
