“That’s interesting. I’ve never known of your penchant for dogs before today, my lady,” Daffin said, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Oh, yes,” Regina replied. “Dogs, dogs, dogs. I love dogs.”
“And do youhavea dog, Lady Regina?” Daffin asked, glancing about as if the canine in question might appear.
“Not at the moment,” she told him through clenched teeth, a fake smile still plastered to her face.
“What was that?” Lord Dryden asked, cupping a hand behind his ear. “I’m a bit hard of hearing.”
“Nothing,” Regina replied in a singsong voice.
“Yes, well,” Lord Dryden continued. “I daresay I’ve never encountered any men who were violent to women or children.” He puffed up his chest as if proud of that pronouncement. “A gentleman would never be exposed to such ruffians. Those of us who arewell-breddon’t have that problem.”
Regina glanced at Daffin. His jaw was tight.
“I assure you, my lord,” Daffin said, “even thewell-breddo indeed have that problem. I’ve been called to many a house in Mayfair where violence has taken place.”
“I find that difficult to believe,” Lord Dryden replied, setting down his fork and knife. He gave Daffin a withering stare.
“It’s true,” Mark added from his place beside Nicole. “I’ve seen it myself.”
“Well, then, I’m gladI’venever been exposed to such atrocities.” Dryden picked up his utensils again.
“Someone has to,” Daffin replied, his jaw still clenched.
“Indeed.” Lord Dryden shook his head and turned back to the table at large, clearly prepared to change the subject. “I thought of something else I cannot countenance.”
“What’s that, my lord?” Nicole asked brightly, taking a bite of roasted goose.
“People who fancy themselves above their betters.” He gave Daffin another pointed stare.
Regina squeezed her fork so tightly her fingers turned white. Daffin glared at the earl. She could tell he probably would like nothing better than to punch the man for that rude comment.
“I don’t know,” Mark interjected. “I, for one, have always found it difficult to countenance those who believe they are better.”
***
They left the dinner table after two exhausting hours, most of them spent listening to Lord Dryden talk about how good he was at hunting, fishing, riding, and anything else he attempted. His endless stories about the vastness of his estate and the loveliness of his land and the largess in his pockets were equally fascinating to no one.
By the time dinner was over, Grandmama looked half-drunk. Mark was in a foul mood. Nicole seemed exhausted, Regina was cranky, and Daffin was angry. Only the duke appeared to be pleased with their guest.
Their little party strolled back toward the salon, while Regina tried to think of a reason why she could not go riding with Dryden. They’d all agreed not to discuss the danger she was in in front of the earl. They didn’t want to start gossip. It would hardly be proper for Regina to say, “I cannot go riding with you, my lord, because a man who shot at me may be lurking in the copse of trees beyond the stables.” If Lord Dryden had seen the story in the paper, he didn’t mention it, thank heavens.
Just outside the dining room doorway, Dryden stopped, took Regina’s hand, and pointed straight up.
She glanced up to see the bough of mistletoe she’d procured for her rendezvous with Daffin hanging from therafter. “Who put that there?” she asked before she had a chance to stop and think.
She glanced at Nicole, who shook her head, a horrified look on her face.
Mark looked equally horrified, as did Grandmama, who shook her head and said in a strangled voice, “I believe one of the footmen did, dear.”
Lord Dryden made a grand show of leaning down to kiss Regina, while the rest of them (save for the duke) watched in dismay.
As soon as his lips got close enough, his eyes closed. Regina pecked him quickly on the cheek, lifted her skirts and took off toward the salon. Dryden opened his eyes and blinked.
Daffin caught up with her and whispered, “Well played.”
Regina glanced back at Lord Dryden, who looked both surprised and affronted, but quickly righted himself and followed the rest of them to the salon.
