Regina waved a hand in the air. “All my life my family has told me what I should and shouldn’t do. What rules I must follow. And I’ve lived by them. Mostly. Where’s it got me?Lonely. I thought if I could pick the man I’d give my virginity to, if I could choose you—you who made me feel special for a little while—the night would live in my memory forever.”
His pulse picked up. He cleared his throat. “You should give your innocence to someone who…”
“Loves me? Is that what you were going to say?” She gave a humorless laugh.
Daffin didn’t know what he’d been about to say, exactly. “Someone special. Not me.” He glanced away, suddenly wishing they’d never begun this conversation.
“You’re special to me, Daffin. You were since the moment I first saw you.”
He stole another glance at her, as something warm and sweet crept into his chest.
No one had ever told him he was special before.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
When the coaches pulled to a stop in front of the grand estate house that was Colchester Manor, Lady Harriet, Regina’s grandmother, came hurrying down the steps, wrapped in a giant gray cloak and a set of colorful woolen scarves.
Daffin stuck out his head and scanned the area before nodding to the ladies that it was safe to alight.
“Grandmama,” Regina called, allowing Daffin to help her down the coach steps. “You shouldn’t be out in this cold. Go back inside. We’re coming in.”
“Nonsense,” Lady Harriet replied, her voice muffled under all the scarves. “I want to see you and Nicole safe and sound. I’ve been worried sick about you both.”
Daffin helped Nicole down next and hurried the three women into the house, shouting commands to the coachmen, and scouring the area for any sign of someone who’d followed them or was watching.
Their small party entered the foyer where Uncle Edwardsat in his wheeled chair, waiting for them. The butler took everyone’s coats, hats, and gloves, while the duke and Lady Harriet greeted them all.
“We’re so glad you’re here and safe,” Grandmama said, fluttering her handkerchief in front of her face. “I’ve been pacing this house for days. Haven’t I, Edward?”
The duke nodded, and Regina crossed her arms over her chest. “Who told you there was anything to worry about?” she asked the older woman, her eyebrow arched.
“I did,” the duke admitted. “I’ve been getting regular letters from Mark and Mr. Oakleaf here. You didn’t think I’d allow my remaining family to be in danger and not keep a close eye on the situation, did you?”
“Yes, and then there was the story in the paper,” Lady Harriet said.
“What paper?” Daffin asked.
The duke pulled a folded bit of newspaper from his side. “This morning’s copy of theTimes.”
Daffin grabbed the newspaper and scanned the headline. “FAMOUS BOW STREET RUNNER SAVES LADY REGINA HAVERSHAM” it read. A quick perusal of the story, written by one Mr. H. J. Hancock, proved that they’d got most of the facts right.
Daffin swore under his breath. “How does that man know everything I do?”
“Who knows,” Uncle Edward replied, “but I’m certainly glad you were there, Mr. Oakleaf. It might have been a much different story if you hadn’t been.”
Regina leaned down to kiss the old man on his papery cheek. “Don’t worry, Uncle Edward, we’re here now, and we’re safe.”
“And the babe?” the duke asked, eyeing Nicole carefully.
“Also safe,” Nicole replied with a wide smile, patting her belly.
“Shall we all go into the salon for tea?” Lady Harriet nodded toward the green salon. “I have so many questions about how you’ve escaped a lunatic, not once but three times!”
After they’d settled into the salon, Grandmama rang for tea. Regina launched into a much-tamed version of the story of the two near-accidents in the coach and the incident with the pistol. Nevertheless, Grandmama and the duke were quite vexed. Their eyes widened with worry, and they exchanged a fraught glance when they heard Daffin had been grazed with the bullet.
“Thank you, Mr. Oakleaf, for taking such good care of my nieces. I owe you a great deal,” the duke said, lifting his chin and addressing Daffin directly.
“On the contrary, your grace.” Daffin stood near the mantel, his unhurt forearm braced against it. “You owe me nothing. I was merely doing my job. I promised Grimaldi I’d take care of them.”
