She went down the first set of stairs but paused on the landing when she saw the door was open to her father’s study. Sometimes he rose early, so she decided to greet him. But after she reached the doorway, she saw that he had already gone. Regina was about to depart when suddenly, she spied something beside the desk on the floor that took her aback.
It was a handkerchief stained with blood.
A sinking feeling clutched her stomach, for she immediately thought of his coughing. Papa had never wanted to admit he was ill, but his coughing fits had grown more frequent. Had he even seen a physician? She needed to speak with him, to make him seek help for his ailment. She didn’t want to think about what could happen if his condition continued to go untreated.
Regina closed her eyes and sat down at the desk, her heart aching at the thought of him being ill. She had grown closer to her father during the past four years, and they had an understanding between them. He loved her and only wanted what was best. She knew that he was only trying to arrange a marriage for her protection, so that no one could ever threaten her again.
But if Papa was dying, his time might be running out. He had only ever had one wish—for her to marry his best friend’s son, Lachlan. And in doing so, he believed it would keep her safe.
Tears pricked at her eyes, and the harsh ache in her gut tightened.
You cannot avoid marriage for much longer.
She wiped the tears before they could fall and resolved to take care of her father and help him as much as she could.
Regina was about to leave, when a letter on the desk caught her notice. It was not signed, and the handwriting was scrawled hurriedly. The note demanded three thousand pounds and gave instructions for where to deliver the amount and when.
She frowned at the letter, wondering if she had read it correctly. Was this a jest or an unpaid bill? It seemed almost unreal to imagine such a demand. Could it be blackmail? Her heartbeat quickened at the thought. Who would do such a thing?
Her mind slipped back to her father’s questions. He’d wanted to know every detail of her attack before their drive the other day. Was this why? Had someone witnessed Lord Mallencourt entering her house at a late hour, believing that she’d been seduced or ruined? That would explain her father’s desire to marry her off to Locharr. A blackmailer could not destroy her reputation if she were married and living in Scotland, far away.
A heaviness settled in her stomach as another fear took hold. Or was it something else? Could anyone have witnessed the rest of it? She swallowed hard, feeling queasy at the thought.
No. She refused to dwell on it, for the attack had been nearly five years ago. Instead, she folded the letter and tucked it into her reticule. She would ask her father about it later.
When she entered the dining room, her mother was sipping a hot cup of tea. Arabella beamed at the sight of her. ‘Regina, good morning! You look lovely, my dear.’
‘Good morning, Mother.’ She chose a seat, and the footman brought her a plate of eggs and sausage. Though she tried to eat, her thoughts remained troubled. She decided to voice her concern. ‘I wanted to ask you...is Papa feeling well?’
‘Of course, he is,’ Arabella said brightly. ‘Why wouldn’t he be?’
But as she looked at her mother’s face, she saw past the words. There were shadows beneath her mother’s eyes, and she appeared pale.
‘He has been coughing a lot,’ Regina said. ‘Has he seen a physician?’
Her mother’s smile faltered, but she tried to dismiss it. ‘It’s just a spring cold. There’s no reason at all to worry.’
She thought about confronting Arabella about the bloody handkerchief, but it was clear that her mother wanted to deny the truth. Likely, her own fears were preventing her from facing reality. Regina decided to quietly contact a physician and have him examine the earl.
‘I am glad,’ she answered. She decided not to mention the note, for it was unlikely that Papa had told her mother. Ned took great pains to avoid upsetting her, for Arabella tended towards dramatic behaviour. Regina didn’t want to imagine how her mother would respond if she knew of the blackmail.
Her mother finished her tea and regarded her. ‘I heard that Locharr is planning to pay a call upon you this afternoon. It would mean a great deal to your father if you would accept the laird’s proposal.’
The very thought unnerved her, although she’d known it was coming. She wasn’t at all ready for an engagement. Instead, she preferred friendship between them while they grew reacquainted. ‘Last night was the first time I’ve even seen the laird in years. He’s a stranger to me.’
‘To you perhaps, but Locharr’s father was Ned’s best friend,’ Arabella said. ‘Our families aren’t strangers.’ Her mother folded her napkin into a perfect square. ‘And truly, it did seem that the laird was trying to behave like a perfect gentleman last night. Don’t you think?’
‘Yes, of course,’ she said softly.
But inwardly, she couldn’t help but think, I’m not ready.
A desperate panic roiled within her at the thought of marriage. She needed to leave the house, to take a few moments to herself. She didn’t dare go alone, but she could ask her friend, Lady Anne, for advice.
Hurriedly, she finished eating while her mother extolled the praises of Locharr and how it was Regina’s duty to wed him as soon as possible.
‘I will allow him to pay a call upon me,’ she promised, ‘but it is too soon to decide upon marriage.’ She stood from the table. ‘I
