She pushed open Nicole’s door and stepped inside. Her cousin was still abed and was stretching, her gorgeous red hair splayed out on the white sheets behind her.
“Good morning.” Regina closed the door behind her and made her way to a lavender velvet slipper chair near Nicole’s bed.
“How did you sleep?” Nicole asked.
“Terribly,” Regina admitted. “But things are looking up. I had a private conversation with Daffin in the breakfast room this morning, and he’s agreed to let bygones be bygones when it comes to my, ahem, unfortunate proposal.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Nicole rubbed her eyes. “I knew he would forgive you. He’s quite reasonable.”
“Yes, it is good of him.” Regina took a deep breath and blew it out. “Now we can get on with the business of finding this monster who’s trying to hurt us.”
A sly smile crinkled Nicole’s lips. “I’d much rather work on your plan to seduce Daffin.”
Regina shot from her seat and put her fists on her hips. “Nicole Huntington Grimaldi, are you mad? There is absolutely no way I’m going to make a fool of myself with that man again.”
Nicole waved a hand in the air. “Of course you won’t. That’s the entire point. This time you’ll be much more subtle.”
Regina leaned forward and placed her palm against Nicole’s forehead. “Do you have a fever? Are you hot?”
“Not a bit.” Nicole laughed and brushed away Regina’s hand. “I’m perfectly fit, and I say your next course of action should be seduction.” Her eyes twinkled.
“I just made up with him. I’m not about to embarrass myself again. Though I admit Imayhave told him he looks like a Greek god this morning.” Regina winced.
Nicole laughed and shook her head. “I saw the way he looked at you last night when he thought you weren’t watching. He’s interested. Besides, I’m not suggesting youtellhim you’re seducing him. That’s the entire point of seduction. It’s a subtle art.”
Regina rubbed her forehead and groaned. “I’m afraid I’m not particularly subtle. My artfulness is also in question. Besides, I’m done with my attempts at taking a lover.”
Nicole scowled at her. “Now I must feel your forehead. Lean closer. You’re usually not one to give up so easily.”
“I learned my lesson quite quickly, thank you,” Regina replied with a firm nod. “Soul-crushing embarrassment will do that.”
“Oh, who cares about a bit of embarrassment? You said he’s already forgiven you. You still want to lose your virginity, don’t you?”
Regina blushed and glanced toward the door. “Keep your voice down.”
“Well, do you or don’t you?” Nicole asked in a loud whisper.
Regina scrunched up her nose and blinked slowly. “No.”
“You’re lying. You always scrunch up your nose when you’re lying.”
Regina scowled. “Fine, yes, I do.” She spoke in a loud whisper, too. “But Daffin refused me and there don’t happen to be any more likely candidates.”
“Daffin is who you want and Daffin is who you shall have. Besides, I didn’t go to all the trouble to get him here only to have you lose your fighting spirit, for heaven’s sake.”
Regina folded her arms over her chest and stared at hercousin. “I had no idea what lengths you’d go to for my love life.”
Nicole chuckled. “Anything for my favorite Colchester cousin.”
Regina’s chest tightened. “What if I bungle it again and Daffin resigns to get away from me?”
Nicole smoothed the bedclothes over her lap. “He won’t leave us before Mark returns. Daffin’s agreed to protect us. He’s got too much honor to leave.” Nicole leaned forward and put her hands on Regina’s shoulders. “You were nervous when you went to Bow Street. You were out of your element. You hadn’t seen him since summer. I say the first thing you should do is spend some time with him. Become comfortable in his presence. Talk to him. Be normal.”
Regina snorted. “That’s easier said than done. He makes me feel quite… abnormal.”
Nicole pulled her hands away. She gave Regina a knowing look. “That is not a bad thing. Once you feel more comfortable with him, you can flirt with him again. It’s quite simple. Just don’t offer money again.” She waited until Regina’s horrified gaze flew to hers before Nicole burst into laughter.
A knock on the door interrupted the laughter.
