Page 13 of His Lady

Silently, she groaned. Why did she have to remember?

When Harold moved to the liquor tray, Wayne’s attention snapped back to Regina. She should run past him. She should drop her gaze and not look directly into his eyes. Instead, she watched him and waited for a guilty expression to cross his handsome face since she was feeling mortified in the worst way. Yet, his smile was just as genuine as she remembered when they’d first met.

Wayne bowed. “Good afternoon, Miss Taylor.”

Out of habit, she curtsied, moistening her dry mouth before speaking. “Good day, Mr. Nichols.”

He stepped closer to her. “Are you and Jane doing something today?”

“We will be going to the dressmakers for her wedding gown.”

He nodded. “I’m certain you two will have a wonderful day, and there will be much to talk about.”

She held her breath. What had he meant by that? Did Wayne expect her to tell Jane what had happened last night? He certainly didn’t know her very well.

Stepping beside Wayne, Harold chuckled and slapped Jane’s fiancé on the shoulder. “Actually, Nichols, you are wrong. Being with my daughter and doing womanly things is not Miss Taylor’s first choice of having awonderfulday. It might surprise you, but she would rather go on a fox hunt, or ride in a horse race, or help build a barn before she would enjoy going to the dressmakers with my daughter.”

Wayne’s mouth hung open, and his eyes bulged wide. Regina held back the laugh that sprang to her throat.

“Indeed?” Wayne asked. “Does that mean you would like to go with us to the boxing match instead?”

She shrugged. “Although the idea is tempting, I believe I shall go with Jane to help with the details for her wedding.” It took all her strength to say those words politely.

A soft, dainty hand touched Regina’s shoulder. She jerked around and met Jane’s stare. Embarrassed that Wayne had distracted her so much, Regina’s heart pounded wildly, and she felt as though she had been caught doing something wrong.

“Reggie,” Jane said, smiling. “If you want to go with Father to the boxing match, I won’t mind. I know how much you enjoy a man’s sport.”

Although Regina wanted to go, she didn’t dare. Wayne would be there. She shook her head. “Don’t be absurd, Jane. Of course, I’ll go with you to the dressmaker’s shop.”

Jane took hold of Regina’s hands and smiled. “You have not done anything you truly enjoyed for quite some time, so today, I’ll allow you to spend it with my father and the boys.” She glanced at Harold. “Is that all right with you, Father?”

Nodding, the earl cut off the end of a cigar without looking at his daughter. “Of course, my dear. Having Reggie with us this afternoon will be refreshing.”

Regina narrowed her gaze on Jane. Something wasn’t right with any of this, especially since Jane had been so upset with her lately, and now she was acting as if nothing was wrong.

Jane moved away from Regina and stood next to Wayne, touching his muscular arm, but she still kept her gaze on Regina.

“Besides,” Jane continued, “being with Father and the boys will give you and Wayne time to get acquainted. By the end of the match, you will realize why I love this incredible man.”

Silently, Regina groaned. She didn’t want to get acquainted with him any more than she had already done. Not only that, if Jane had experienced anything close to what Regina did last night, she already knew what her friend saw in him – passion beyond her wildest dreams.

“No, that is not necessary—”

“Reggie, I won’t take no for an answer.” Jane’s expression turned stern. “Go with my father and Wayne and enjoy yourself. My mother will assist me today, and she has some errands to run, so I will be kept quite busy until this evening.”

Jane moved her attention to Wayne and smiled sweetly. “Promise me that you will make certain my friend enjoys herself at the boxing match.”

Wayne’s eyes widened, and his throat jumped with what must have been a hard swallow. “I shall do my best.”

“Well, Reggie dear, are you ready?” Harold grabbed her arm and hooked it over his as he escorted her out the front door and into the family’s fancy coach, with Wayne a close second behind.

After Wayne sat beside her, his scent surrounded her, making her stomach do flip-flops. Would she ever get his intoxicating cologne out of her mind?

Harold rapped on the roof of the coach, letting the driver know he was ready. Regina shook her head, confused.

“Harold? Where are the others? Did you not say Jane’s cousins were coming along?”

“They will meet us at the event.”

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