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“Father? Pray tell, what are you referring to?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Regina, one of my associates noticed you with Lord Penrose yesterday afternoon at the boxing match.” He motioned with his head toward the dining room’s door. “If your mother catches wind of this, she will have heart palpitations.”
Relief nearly drowned her, but she couldn’t show her father how happy she was that he didn’t know about Wayne. Well, not yet, anyway. “That is what I told Jane and Lord Penrose, but they both convinced me to go. I did not see anyone I know, and I prayed that you and Mother wouldn’t find out.”
“Well, I suppose if Lord Penrose thought you would be fine going with him, who am I to argue.”
“Indeed. However, we both know Mother will argue.”
“She only wants what is best for her daughter, as do I.”
The rhythm of her heart threatened to weaken Regina’s limbs, but she must remain strong. At this point, having a suspicious father would be disastrous. “I know, Father.”
“As much as I miss taking you to men’s sporting events, it is time you think of your future.” He moved away from the table to sit beside her. He touched her hand as a frown claimed his face. “Regina, you must know that I am not a wealthy man. I cannot continue to buy you new gowns and accessories, along with your mother, and keep our servants employed. I have been a patient man, but...” His shoulders sagged. “My dearest daughter, we need to find you a husband this year.”
A different suffocation squeezed her chest, and she fought back the tears once more. This wasn’t a surprise, but she had wished her father would have kept it secret a little longer. He was correct, though. It was long past the time she found a husband. “Yes, I know.”
“Your mother does not know how bleak the situation is yet, so I ask you not to say anything to her.”
She nodded as a tear slid down her cheek. “I promise not to let you down. At the next ball, I will find a man who captures my interest.”
He gave her a tender smile and patted her cheek. “You are a wonderful daughter, and I love you with all my heart.”
“And I love you, Father.”
He stood, kissed her forehead, and walked out of the room. Once the door was closed, she allowed her feelings to pour out. This was too much for her to take. She couldn’t live like this. Twice now, she could have been caught in a scandal, which would have ruined her chances of ever finding a husband.
Seeing Wayne again was out of the question – unless it was to see him marry Jane on their wedding day. Although Regina still felt her friend deserved someone better, she had to admit that Wayne was a sweet man. The only reason he was drawn to Regina was because of the poison. By now, that was out of their system. But she couldn’t take that chance. She must have no contact whatsoever with the man. The memories would suffocate her and possibly tempt her, but she would not relent.
She exhaled slowly and wiped the tears off her face. It would be difficult, but she could not worry about Jane any longer. And the confusion from being poisoned would have ended as well. It was time she thought of her family. Marrying well would help her parents. She just prayed it would make her happy, too.
Regina left the dining room, and as she headed toward the front door, her attention moved to her father’s liquor tray, but more importantly, to the bottle of wine. In a flash, she recalled something that happened at the ball the other night when she argued with Jane. During the evening, there was only once when Regina had a glass of wine – but it was notherdrink.
She and her friend had been talking about how much spirits Jane consumed the night she had met Wayne. Upset, Jane handed her untouched glass of wine and said, “Since you believe I drink too much, be the considerate friend and finish my drink before it becomes a temptation.”
Regina’s stomach churned as the memory returned in full force. For a brief moment after drinking the wine, there was a bitter taste on her tongue. She had just thought it was due to being so angry at her friend. But now...
Had Jane given Regina the poison?
Although the prospect nearly had her losing her breakfast right here on the floor, she couldn’t think of any other way that she had been poisoned. She had taken a couple of drinks of punch, and yet nobody had touched her glass. Other people had drunk from the punch bowl, too, and if that had been the drink laced with poison, then the Montague’s ball would have been disastrous.
All these years, she had thought Jane was her best friend, but what if the earl’s daughter hadn’t returned the same affections? During this past year, Regina noticed how selfish and irritable her friend was becoming, especially how often Jane had a glass of spirits in her hand. Could this have contributed to why Jane had thought it necessary to harm Regina?
Whether a cruel joke or done in spite, Jane had indeed wanted to harm Regina. She had no other choice now. She must say something to her former friend and bring the truth out once and for all.
