“Pardon?” He arched a brow.
“She especially likes your handcuffs. She’s mentioned them more than once.” Nicole winked at him.
Daffin’s mouth fell open as he watched her trail off down the stairs.
***
An hour after Daffin had left her room, Regina finally couldn’t stand another moment of bed rest. She climbed from the mattress, wrapped her dressing gown tightly around her, and sneaked down the stairs to the study. Nicole had informed her they intended to plan how to track down Quinton Knowles, and Regina wanted to be a part of it.
Her dressing gown’s collar pressed to her throat, she tiptoed to the study doors.
She was just about to knock when Mark called, “Come in, Regina.”
She smiled. “How did you know I was here?”
“You’re hiding outside a room full of spies, I daresay we all knew you were there,” Mark called back.
Smiling, Regina stepped into the room and scanned its occupants. In addition to Nicole and Mark, all four of the Cavendishes were present. Daffin was there, too. They each gave her a smile or a nod as she entered, ignoring her unconventional attire.
“I am a part of this investigation,” she announced, her cheeks hot, “and I refuse to sit in bed one moment more.”
Nicole made her way over to her. “Of course. You’ve certainly earned your place here. Come. Sit. Help us.”
Regina settled herself on the sofa on the far side of the room, next to Nicole.
“Regina is the only person among us who has recently spoken with Knowles,” Nicole said. “I daresay she has a great deal to share.”
“Yes, Regina,” Daphne Cavendish said. “Tell us.”
Regina took a deep breath. Smoothing her dressing gown, she moved her gaze around the room. She met Daffin’s eyes and he gave her an encouraging smile. “Knowles loves the challenge of being up against all of you. He wanted the chance to match wits with the best spies in the country.”
“He’s about to get his chance tenfold,” Mark ground out.
“He’s escaped us twice. We’re not dealing with a novice here,” Danielle added.
Daffin shifted on his chair by the fireplace and folded his arms over his chest. “He’s had the upper hand because we didn’t realize how sophisticated he was. Now we do.”
“Regina says he’s been hired by someone,” Nicole pointed out. “Who? Who would want to hurt her?”
“He wouldn’t say,” Regina replied. “He only referred to a benefactress.”
“A woman? But who?” Nicole shook her head.
“Someone with money,” Daffin replied. “Knowles doesn’t do anything cheap.”
“And someone who wanted me dead,” Regina added. “He only kept me alive to get even more money from Uncle Edward.”
“Greedy bastard,” Daffin growled.
“He knows we know now, however,” Mark added. “He’s made a mess of things, but he’ll come back for Regina to get his purse. If whoever hired Knowles learns he had his chance and lost it because of his greed, he will have hell to pay.”
“I agree,” Daffin replied. “Until we catch him and find out whom he’s working for, Regina remains in danger.”
Nicole squeezed Regina’s hand. “I won’t let you out of my sight. I’m so sorry you were kidnapped.”
Regina gave her friend a wan smile.
“There’s no use in recriminations,” Danielle Cavendish said. “All that matters now is finding Knowles.”
