“To a copse of trees beyond the stables,” he replied. “From there, they disappear. I questioned every servant in the stables thoroughly. They all claim to have seen and heard nothing.”
Regina crossed her arms over her chest and paced away,biting the tip of her finger. “How can that be? If Jacob had just saddled the horse, he had to have seen something.”
“I agree,” Daffin replied. “He claims there was no note when he finished preparing Excalibur, however. That was about a quarter hour before we came out, according to his memory.”
“So we’re dealing with someone who sneaked in and out of the stables in less than a quarter hour, silently and possibly invisibly.” Nicole tugged on her handkerchief. “Sounds like we’re dealing with a professional.”
Daffin nodded. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
***
Regina and Nicole spent the rest of the afternoon in Nicole’s bedchamber, waiting for Mark to arrive. Regina felt safer upstairs. Knowing the man who’d tried to harm her had been so close made gooseflesh rush along her skin. Daffin Oakleaf was the best of the Bow Street Runners. He would find the culprit. But he needed a better lead.
“Who could it possibly be?” Regina asked. The weather had turned colder as the sun set, and she pulled a shawl over her shoulders. She stood in front of the fireplace, rubbing her hands together.
“I don’t know,” Nicole replied, “but whoever he is, he’d better pray to the god of criminals that Daffin finds him before Mark does.”
The front door slammed and bootsteps thundered on the stairs just before Nicole’s door flew open. Mark rushed to the bed and pulled Nicole into his arms. “Darling, I’m sorry I wasn’t there when that bastard took a shot at you.”
Nicole’s eyes filled with tears and she clutched her husband’s coat, which he hadn’t bothered doffing. She closed her eyes and pressed herself against him. They hugged for severalmoments before Mark pulled away and stared lovingly at his wife’s face. “I love you so much, Nicole.”
“I love you, too, Mark,” she said as they kissed passionately.
When the couple pulled apart, Mark scanned the room. “Regina. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you, too. I was so convinced Nicole was the target. Are you all right?”
“Yes,” Regina replied. “I am.”
“Where’s Daffin?” Mark touched his wife’s face with the back of his hand. “Are you all right? You were pale when I first walked in.”
Nicole hugged him fiercely again, then patted the spot next to her on the bed. “Mark, darling, sit down. There’s something I must tell you.”
His eyes flared. “God. No. The babe?”
“The babe is fine,” Nicole replied. “And so am I, but…”
He searched her face. “Tell me.”
“We convinced Daffin to allow us to go riding earlier,” Nicole began. “Neither of us could stand being trapped in this house another moment.”
“That sounds like you,” Mark said with an exasperated smile.
Nicole exchanged an uneasy look with Regina. “When we got to the stables, we found a note on Regina’s saddle.”
“What?” Mark’s face drained of all color. “What did it say?”
“‘I’m watching you, Lady Regina.’” She winced.
“Damn it.” Mark stood and paced around the bedchamber like a caged tiger. He scrubbed his hand through his hair.
“There’s more,” Nicole added.
Mark continued to pace, but his shoulders relaxed a bit. “What?”
Nicole took a deep breath. “Daffin said there was only one set of tracks leading away from the stables. They disappeared into a copse of trees.”
Mark clenched his fists. “One of the servants had to have seen him. We must line them up and question them.”
“Daffin has already questioned the stable servants thoroughly. None of them saw anything,” Regina said. “Susanna and Mrs. Bell, the housekeeper, are the only servants Daffin is allowing near me at present. None of the tracks in the snow were women’s boots except ours.”
