Page 48 of Taming of the Rake
He started at the sound of his mother’s voice, mortified to be caught gaping at Regina’s retreating back.
Raising one dark eyebrow, his mother pursed her lips. “It would seem you like her, too.”
“Mrs. Hurst has been gracious and kind,” he hedged, though he wouldn’t avoid her gaze. She knew him too well, and would see that for the avoidance it was. “Despite being a woman, she is very knowledgeable about the running of an estate the size of ours.”
“Is she?” Taking his arm, she let him lead her to dining room. “That is not at all surprising, though I do find it odd that she would come to call so late in the day if her business with you were pertaining to the farm.”
David nearly tripped as his mother’s words had the intended effect. Her teasing smirk put him on edge, telling him he was doing a terrible job hiding his feelings. Once he registered that thought, another more pressing one, took its place at the forefront of his mind.
Why had Regina come? She must have expected David to visit her as he did almost every night. She’d only needed to wait for him to arrive to speak with him.
Was something the matter? Had she begun her courses again? It had been just a little over a month since her last menses, which meant they were due again. Unless …
He made a choked sound of distress that had his mother grabbing his arm and halting him just outside the dining room. Blinking out of his stupor, David glanced down to find her watching him with a furrowed brow.
“Forget I mentioned it,” she said, patting his shoulder. “You’ve been working so hard, and have done such for this family these past months. Whatever is going on between you and Mrs. Hurst is none of my affair, as long as you are certain you know what you are doing.”
No,he wanted to tell her.No, I don’t know what the bloody hell I’ve gotten myself into, or what to do now.
“I just wanted you to know that I do like her, if it means anything to you.”
Odd, he wouldn’t have thought it would matter, but knowing his mother approved of Regina made him hopeful. But … hopeful of what, exactly? It wasn’t as if this were a conventional situation. He was not courting Regina; he was fucking her. And perhaps that would soon come to an end if she’d come to tell David what he suspected.
“It means a great deal,” he said, forcing a smile for the benefit of his mother. “Thank you.”
They entered the dining room, where his sisters had taken up their usual places side by side, with Regina across from them. She would sit at his right, with his mother on her other side. As he took his place at the head of the table and motioned for Caruthers and one of the footmen to serve them, David felt Regina’s eyes on him. He met her gaze, and what he saw there brought him no comfort. He had become too familiar with Regina to miss the subtle glint of both excitement and sadness in her eyes.
This was it. She’d come to give him her good news. As well, she had come to say good-bye.
Regina peeredthrough the window of her guest chamber, watching as flurries of powdery snow danced on the wind. She could see nothing beyond those white flashes in the dark, though the chill of the night reached out to her through the pane. It had been foolish of her to intrude on David’s home, and now was all but forced to remain for the night. She’d been in such haste to get to him, she had paid no heed to the impending weather. The snow began sometime during dinner, and by the time Regina, David, and his family retired back to the salon, it was falling so fast and thick she could hardly see beyond the front steps.
“Oh, but you cannot attempt to drive home in this ghastly weather,” Theodora Graham had said, brow wrinkled with motherly concern. “It is far too dangerous. I insist you and your driver remain here for the night. I will never sleep a wink over worrying for you. David, surely you agree Mrs. Hurst cannot make the journey home tonight.”
Regina’s stomach flipped at the look David gave her then. He had watched her all evening, remaining silent unless someone asked him a direct question. His perusal was unnerving, especially when it kept straying to her bodice … and lower. Did he suspect the reason for her presence here? Was he angry with her for encroaching on this part of his life? Regina couldn’t blame him if he were. She never expected to be greeted by his mother and sisters, nor had she thought to be invited to stay for dinner. What could she have done when Theodora was unwilling to take no for an answer?
“Of course,” David had replied. “I won’t hear of it, Mrs. Hurst. Of course you’ll stay.”
“And you shall see her safely home in the morning,” Theodora added with a resolute nod. “Yes, I think that would be quite satisfactory.”
The woman had a sharpness to her, an air of command. She was also one of the most beautiful women Regina had ever seen, and she would only become more graceful and dignified with age. Perhaps it was Theodora’s kindness that made Regina see her in a maternal light. Truly, all the women of David’s family were agreeable. The twins reminded her of herself in her youth—bright-eyed, slightly mischievous, filled with life and hope.
She had been nervous about accepting the invitation for dinner, but was quickly put at ease. Regina hadn’t had female friends since before her marriage to Randolph. The few she’d had eventually fell away as Regina became a recluse—mostly to keep anyone from seeing her bruises. It was so nice to indulge in gossip and idle chatter over tea, to eat dinner with actual people instead of sitting alone while mulling over her own morose thoughts.
It was yet another one of those things she had rediscovered after finding David—yet another aspect of life Regina had forgotten could impart so much meaning.
When a knock sounded at the door, Regina turned away from the window with a sigh. It might be time for her to relinquish all that, for her wish had been fulfilled. Now she must abandon the man who had made it come true. Surely he was ready to get on with his life.
Regina’s heart leaped into her throat as she swung the door open, but it sank when she realized it was a footman on the threshold and not David. He silently offered her a folded slip of paper with one gloved hand, then bowed and wished her a good evening. Her chest tightened when she opened it to find a note from David.
Take a left at the end of the corridor and enter the third door. I will be waiting.
-D
Regina squeezed her eyes shut and fought to get her bearings. After all, if she was right about her condition, they would only have to meet one more time after tonight—for her to give him the promised bonus. Regina told herself it was the pleasure and companionship she would miss. But then, trying to imagine some faceless lover eventually taking his place made her stomach turn. Perhaps in the future she might bring herself to feel desire for someone else, but just now David dominated her thoughts. When she considered what it felt like to be kissed, touched, and handled with such forethought and care, his face was all she could see.
But that was all she could have from now on—memories and longing. David had his own life to get back to, and had made it clear that he didn’t think himself capable of faithfulness to one woman. Besides, even if he were keen to settle down, Regina was far too damaged. Her adamant stance against marriage had not changed. It would seem the time had come for them to part ways.
At the mirror over the washstand, Regina took a quick glance at her reflection before leaving the room. Her coloring was high, slightly flushed with anxiety and excitement. Her eyes looked too large in her face, but they were bright and clear. Combing her fingers through her hair, she released it from its braid.
