He’d seemed a bit angry with her for seemingly giving up on her quest to find love, which made no sense because he himself had said he didn’t believe in love. The perfect man did not exist. The one who made your stomach flutter was notthe one with a title and neighboring lands. It was a lesson she was learning all too well.
She entered her bedchamber, closed the door, and climbed atop the bed. She sat in silence, staring into the fireplace, until a knock sounded at the door.
“Regina? May I come in?” Nicole called.
“Of course.”
Nicole opened the door and stepped inside. She walked over to the bed and sat on the side of it, her hip turned to face Regina. “Are you all right, dear?”
Regina expelled her breath. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
“What’s happened?”
Regina calmly folded her hands over her middle and stared at the canopy above her. “I’ve kissed Daffin. Twice.”
A sly smile crept to Nicole’s lips. “IthoughtI’d interrupted something in the library the other night, but I didn’t want to pry.”
“It’s all right. We needed to be interrupted. It’s all so confusing. I don’t know what to think. He makes me feel so… oh, I cannot describe it. All I know is that I want to kiss him again.”
Nicole patted her knee. “I know, dear. I know.”
“Did he ever tell you anything… about what happened to his family?”
“Not much.” Nicole shook her head. “I only know his mother died when he was a boy. He went to boarding school after that.”
“Oh.” Regina considered that for a moment. So he hadn’t had to live with his hideous father.
“I get the impression his childhood was far from happy,” Nicole added.
“I do, too.” Regina grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. “I did what you suggested. I’ve talked to him. Tried to get to know him, and I’ve decided I like him. Ireallylike him. But I’m not certain if he’s truly not interested in me or just thinks he shouldn’t be.”
“Yes. Those are two quite different things. However, if he’s kissed you twice, I tend to think it’s the latter, dear.”
Regina expelled a breath. “I’m going to ask him.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea.” Nicole winked at her.
Regina signed. “Why can’t life be easier?”
“If it were easier, dear, I think it would also be terribly boring.”
The two women exchanged smiles.
“Now,” Nicole continued. “Let’s focus on Christmastide. Mark will be here soon and we should be merry and bright.”
“I do adore Christmas,” Regina replied, before wrinkling her nose. “If only Lord Dryden weren’t coming for dinner.”
Nicole crossed her arms over her chest and drummed her fingertips on the opposite elbows. “It is unfortunate. I do wish Uncle Edward had consulted with me before inviting the man, but Uncle worries about you. You cannot blame him.”
“I don’t,” Regina replied. “Truly. Perhaps I’ll learn to… love… Dryden one day.”
“I’m not certain that’s how love works,” Nicole said softly. “Not true love, at least.”
Regina pressed her palms against her eyes. “Oh, enough about the Earl of Dryden. I’ll deal with him when I must. I’d much rather discuss how I can kiss Daffin again.” Her bright humor returned.
“Oh, my dear.” Nicole gleefully clapped her hands. “That is what mistletoe is for.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
