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The man’s expression softened as he cupped the side of Jane’s face. “I would beveryappreciative if you would, Lady Jane.”
“Indeed?” She tilted her head. “Just how appreciative, may I ask?”
He grinned. “I could show you right now, but I heard a rumor that you are engaged.”
Jane snorted a laugh and flipped her hand through the air. “I’m only pretending to be engaged. My father wants to keep a close eye on Mr. Nichols because Father suspects him of working for the Bow Street Runners.”
Wayne groaned silently and closed his eyes. Why had the earl suspected that? Wayne was rather skilled at working undercover. Unless... had he said something to the earl while in his delirium state?
He frowned and shook his head. From what Jane had hinted at, the earl suspected Wayne before the engagement. He peeked back at the cozy couple, feeling angered and betrayed. Yet, he had been pretending with her as well, and it wasn’t as if he would go through with the wedding anyway. Besides, with this enlightening bit of information, perhaps Regina would consider allowing him to court her.
“Tell me, Lady Jane,” the man said in a sultry voice, “has this drink been used on anyone?”
She laughed and leaned over to take a bottle of the concoction from off the table. “My father tried it on Mr. Nichols, and I gave a little to my friend, Miss Taylor. Although I had wanted to watch her to see how she was affected, Miss Taylor disappeared on me that night. The next day, she acted as though she was back to her normal, irritable self. As for Mr. Nichols, Father said the man had just returned home and slept it off.” She paused for a moment before her eyes widened. “Oh, and I gave Miss Taylor’s parents some in their drinks, too. I couldn’t have them searching for their daughter until all hours of the night.”
“But why would you want to give this to your friend?” the man asked.
“Reggie has acted like a controlling older sister for years, and I’m exhausted trying to argue with her. I wanted to enjoy myself at the ball, so I gave her the tainted wine. It didn’t take long before mydear friendclaimed an illness and left the party. Besides that, I know she is only friends with me because I’m the daughter of an earl, and she is the vagabond daughter of a poor Baron.”
The man’s grin widened. “Lady Jane, you are brilliant.”
Wayne had enough of this nonsense. It was time he stepped into his Bow Street Runner boots and started making some arrests.
He jumped to his feet and withdrew his pistol. Neither Jane nor the man had seen him yet.
“Actually, Lady Jane is brilliantly foolish,” Wayne said, finally getting their attention as their heads swung toward him. Both sets of eyes widened, and their mouths gaped. The face of Jane’s beau grew white, and Wayne wondered if the man would faint any moment now.
Slowly he walked around the crate, keeping his pistol aimed at the man. Jane was no threat, but the tall man could jump on Wayne – unless he fainted, of course. That being said, it was difficult not to look away from Jane for very long. His hatred for her grew in leaps.
“What are you doing here?” Jane asked in a high-pitched voice.
“I’m here to make some arrests.”
She sucked in a quick breath. “So, you are indeed a Bow Street Runner?”
“In the flesh.” Wayne smiled wide and proud.
A scowl appeared on Jane’s face. “How dare you lie to my father and me?”
Her statement took him unaware, and he couldn’t stop the laugh from springing up in his throat. “Is that not like the pot calling the kettle black?” Wayne shook his head. “Because from what I have overheard, you were doing some lying of your own.” He cocked his head. “Tell me, Lady Jane, what is Regina going to do when she hears you have betrayed her in the worst way?”
Jane rolled her eyes. “Reggie was never really a good friend. After all, what kind of friend won’t allow one to make their own decisions and choose their own beaus?”
“Probably the type of friend who cares.” Indeed, Regina would be heartbroken. He only prayed she would let him comfort her as her heart healed. “However, I’m sure she will recover quickly. Regina is a strong woman, and you might learn from her example.”
Jane arched an eyebrow. “When did you start using her given name, and pray, why are you acting as if you know her better than me?”
“Perhaps I do know her better.”
Jane snorted another laugh. “Mr. Nichols, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you were sweet on her. Could the outing to the boxing match have been beneficial after all?”
There was no way he would give Jane any more information about his feelings for Regina. The time for talking was over. He stepped closer, pointing the pistol at the tall man. “You are both under arrest. Sir, please turn around with your arms behind you so that I can place these wrist-cuffs on you.”
The man’s eyes rolled back in his head, and the man’s body sank to the ground just as Wayne had predicted. He wanted to laugh but refrained. However, it was still imperative to place the cuffs on the man. At least until the man was judged and sentenced.
As Wayne leaned over to slap the cuffs on the man, something hard and strong hit the back of his head. The sound of glass breaking ripped through the air. Immediately, he smelled the vile liquid that Harold had poured in his drink at the tavern.
Dizziness assailed him, and he sank to his knees, trying to fight consciousness. Why had he forgotten that Jane held a bottle of her father’s poison? Of course, she was going to try and gain control. The woman didn’t want to be arrested.
