“So, Lord Dryden,” Nicole began. “What brings you here this fine Christmas Day?”
“Yes,” Regina continued. “Where are your mother and sister?”
Lord Dryden grasped at his lapels with both hands. “They’ve gone to Plymouth to have Christmas with my uncle. I promised to meet them there later this week. I didn’t want to miss a chance to see you again, Lady Regina.”
The smile remained plastered on her face. “You flatter me, my lord.”
“I’m hoping to do more than flatter you, my lady.” He inclined his head toward her.
Nicole cleared her throat. “The weather has been quite fine lately. Don’t you agree, my lord? Aside from the cold, that is.”
“I don’t mind the cold, it makes for pleasant coach rides under blankets. Would you like to go out riding with me later this afternoon, Lady Regina? We can take a tour of our properties. Together they would make a fine bit of land, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I do believe I might be coming down with a cold,” Regina replied, faking a cough.
“Nonsense,” the duke interjected. “You’ve been right as rain since you’ve been here. I daresay a ride with the earl later will do you good.”
Lady Harriet’s handkerchief fluttered through the air like a fidgety bird. “Tea?” she offered in a strained voice, her gaze darting between her obviously unhappy granddaughter and the tenacious Lord Dryden.
“Please.” Dryden did his best to smile at Regina, but she could tell he was pretending.
“Erm. You say you don’t mind cold,” Nicole doggedly continued. “What is it that you dislike, my lord?”
Lord Dryden tugged on his lapels again. “I cannot say there’s much. I’m a fortunate chap.”
“Certainly,” Nicole replied. “But surely there issomethingyou dislike. I, for one, cannot countenance anyone slurping soup.”
Lord Dryden laughed. “I cannot say I’d enjoy soup slurped in my presence, either. I suppose I’m not particularly fond of dogs. Dirty things. Always shedding.”
Regina nearly choked on her tea. “Is that so? Why, I adore dogs. Always have.”
He managed another tight smile. “Opposites can attract.”
Regina turned back to Nicole with a pleading look. Their plan was not working.
“Tell me, my lord,” Nicole jumped in again. “Why haven’t you taken a bride yet? What precisely are you looking for in such a lady?”
Nicole was a dear.
“I daresay I’m looking for someone very much like Lady Regina.”
Regina whimpered. Meanwhile, her uncle stared at Dryden approvingly, while her grandmother looked as if she might stuff her handkerchief down her own throat. Regina had never known Grandmama to remain silent this long. It worried her.
Thankfully, Regina was spared having to respond to Dryden’s loaded remark when Daffin strolled through the door. She fought the urge to jump from her seat and run to him. Daffin offered his greetings to everyone. Regina’s belly did a somersault.
Grandmama jumped from her seat, finally able to say something of use. “Lord Dryden, this is Mr. Oakleaf, the Bow Street Runner.”
Lord Dryden squinted for a moment. He did not stand. Instead, he eyed Daffin up and down. “Oakleaf? Where have I heard that name?”
“He’s the best of the runners,” Regina offered with a smile.
“I know!” Lord Dryden snapped his fingers. “I read about you in theTimes.More than once, I believe. You do excellent work.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Daffin replied, bowing. He glanced at Regina, giving her a sympathetic look.
“Excellent work,” Lord Dryden continued, nodding to himself and the room at large as if he’d been the one to discover Daffin’s merits.
The butler entered the room to announce dinner was ready.
