AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “Jane wants to visit the dressmaker today to be sized for her wedding gown.”
“Splendid idea. With the wedding sneaking up on us, there is no time to wait.”
She smiled. “My thoughts, exactly.” She paused briefly as she scanned his attire, finally noticing that he was wearing one of his nicer suits. “Do you have plans for the day, as well?”
“The boys and I will be attending a boxing match.”
Her smile widened. Harold always referred to his many nephews asthe boys. “Boxing, you say? I haven’t seen a boxing match around these parts for years.”
He chuckled. “That is because there hasn’t been one. But one of my nephews has it on good authority that there are enough men to compete in a match at least once a month now.”
She gasped. “That often? How wonderful.”
Regina wasn’t like most girls who grew up in society. Her father raised her like a tomboy for many years, and she would rather watch men’s sporting events than attend a ball. However, the last few years, her mother had tried to turn Regina’s thoughts toward dancing and etiquette... the boring things in a young woman’s life.
Harold remained quiet for several moments as his narrowed gaze stayed on her. Regina knew the earl did his best thinking in silence. Yet, it bothered her because she didn’t understand why he wouldn’t look away.
“Tell me, Regina,” he said, finally. “Do you still attend sporting events as you did when you were younger?”
She laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a lady now.”
“True, but that should not stop you.”
“It does when I think about giving my mother increased heart palpitations. She is very against me doing any of the things I did as a child.”
He grinned. “What if she did not know?”
“Mother usually hears through gossip circles, and then she reprimands my father for being so careless.”
“Your poor father.”
“Yes, Father does miss his tomboy daughter.”
The bell rang, announcing a caller at the front door. Regina glanced toward the hallway, wondering when Jane would come down and see to her visitor.
“That must be Mr. Nichols,” Harold said.
Her heart sank like a boulder in the ocean, and she took a step back. “Mr. Nichols?” She tried to keep her voice from trembling. “He is going with you, too?”
“Of course, my dear. He is now part of my boys.”
“Well then...” She swallowed hard. “Perhaps I should leave you to your guests. I should hurry upstairs to see what is taking Jane so long.” Panic grew inside her so quickly it was difficult to breathe. She wouldn’t be able to look Wayne in the eyes without remembering what had happened last night in his coach.
Without waiting for Harold to answer, she turned to leave, but the moment she dreaded happened when she met Mr. Nichols at the parlor’s doorway. Wayne’s gaze met her stare, and her breath stopped in her throat. Today, he was dressed in dark brown pants and a matching coat, with a black waistcoat. It wasn’t until now that she realized his eyes were as emerald as the gem.
There was no way she could stop her attention from combing over him, noticing how his clothes seemed slightly tight against his muscles. And she already knew his wide chest was muscular. The beating of her heart quickened, and her mouth turned dry.
As she met his gaze again, she noticed he was looking at her the same way as she had been looking at him – with an interest-filled gaze. The dress she had worn today wasn’t as fancy as the one she had on last night. Instead, the pink and blue gingham dress was one she had worn several times last year.
Wayne blinked rapidly and moved his focus on Harold, greeting the earl with a slight bow.
“Nichols,” Harold said, “it is good to see you again. I hope you are feeling better today. You looked a mess last night while we were at the tavern.”
Confusion filled her. Wayne was also out of sorts? How odd.
“Yes, I’m feeling much better, my lord.”
Wayne smiled at Jane’s father, and Regina imagined that same magnificent mouth moving over her lips and neck, teasing and exciting. Immediately, she recalled the way she had felt so comfortable while in his arms.
