Chapter Twelve #2
She smiled. “After all these years of looking for the man I could give my heart to, I couldn’t necessarily allow the Meyer family to take him away from me, now could I?”
He glanced at her again. “Certainly not.” He moved beside her and slid his arm around her waist. “And just so you know…I share your feelings.”
Her cheeks grew pinker. “Splendid, because I enjoy sharing things with you.”
Footsteps sounded in the corridor, and Regina whipped around, pointing the gun at the servant walking toward them, whom Wayne still couldn’t see very well.
“Gilbert,” Regina said, “do not move another step. I need to know if you were working with Lord Penrose in his warehouse, making that illegal drug sweet nectar.”
The older man shook his head. “Absolutely not. I was just coming to see if you and Mr. Worthington need any assistance taking these men to the Bow Street Runners.”
Wayne grinned. “Actually, I’m a Bow Street Runner. However, if you would be so kind as to go to their office and round up a few more men to help me, I would greatly appreciate it.”
Gilbert nodded and grinned. “I would be pleased to do so, Mr. Worthington.”
Finally, Wayne sighed with relief. This case was solved and soon to be out of his hands and in those of the judge.
And now…it was time to pay more attention to Miss Regina Taylor, the woman he hoped wouldn’t be a Miss for very much longer.
He hoped to make her his Lady. Of course, he also needed to be completely honest with her.
“Regina?” He touched her arm. “I need to tell you something.”
“Not yet,” she said quickly, handing him the gun. “I have some rope on my horse. These two men need to be tied up first.”
Wayne grinned, loving the way her mind worked. “I agree.”
“Stay right here, and don’t take your pistols off these men.”
“Yes, my lady. I can do that.”
Her cheeks reddened, which they did whenever he used that endearment. Hopefully, she would like what he had to say.
It didn’t take long before she rushed back into the house carrying rope and a knife. Together, they cut the rope into strips to bind the earl’s and Donley’s wrists and ankles. Wayne tested the ties before giving Regina a nod of approval.
She quickly stood and hooked her arm around his elbow, helping him stand, bless her caring heart. He hated being in this weakened condition, and he was relieved that she had realized without being told.
“What is it that you wish to tell me?” she asked as they left the parlor and walked into the corridor.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Her hands rested on his chest. A sweet smile touched her tempting mouth, and her lovely silver-blue eyes twinkled. Her beauty enchanted him.
“I pray you will forgive me for not telling you that I was a Bow Street Runner,” he began, but she placed her fingers on his lips, stopping him.
“Wayne, I completely understand why you didn’t tell me. After all, you thought that as Jane’s friend, I would have given her my loyalty.”
He nodded. “Yes, that was part of it. I had hoped not to get you involved. However, I fear the earl and his daughter had a different idea.”
Her happy smile faded slowly. “Yes. It was Jane who poisoned me. I discovered that she didn’t think as highly of me as I did of her.”
He stroked her chin. “I’m sorry to hear that. She is losing out, not you.”
Regina’s smile returned. “Yes, I believe so.”
“However, I still have one more surprise to tell you. In fact”—he chuckled lightly—“you nearly discovered this the night at my father’s jewelry store.”
Her eyes widened. “Please tell me.”
“My father is the Marquess of Huddleson. I am his youngest son, and I am…a lord.” He shrugged. “This is not something I tell people, because I’m not following the pathway my father wishes me to go.”
“You are a lord? How did I not know this?” Her eyes stayed wide as she blinked rapidly as if trying to comprehend his words.
He nodded. “I do not have a title, but I’m Lord Nicholas. My middle name is Wayne, which I’ve used most of my life. I knew I would never become a Bow Street Runner if they knew who my father was.”
“But…” She pointed toward the west window. “Your father owns a jewelry store. How is that possible if he is a marquess?”
Wayne took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “The jewelry stores have been in the family since before my father was given the marquess title. He doesn’t run them, but he hires men to do that for him.”
She didn’t say a word for a few awkward moments. He tried to read her expression to see if she was upset at him or not. He prayed she would forgive him for this misdeed as well.
Finally, she sighed, and the shocked look on her face disappeared. She chuckled and shook her head. “I’m in love with a marquess?” Her laughter grew. “How I would love nothing more than to tell Jane, but she is not my friend any longer.”
“Regardless,” he said with humor in his voice, “if telling her makes you happy, then do so. I only want you to be satisfied with ending your relationship with her.”
Regina released a heavy sigh and leaned against him. Her blue eyes turned a lighter gray.
“My darling Lord Nicholas, you are the only one who makes me truly happy. I pray that your status in life will keep you beside me, even though I’m a lowly baron’s daughter.”
He shook his head. “You have always been my lady, and that will never change.” He bent and captured her mouth for a steamy kiss, determined to only release her once the Bow Street Runners arrived, which might just take hours.