A small burble of laughter sputtered past Regina's lips. Were he anyone else, she'd agree with his brother that the conversation was boring, but there was something about his soft tone, gentle expression, and the light in his blue eyes that kept her drawn to him-waiting anxiously for what he'd tell her next, even if it was about something as unusual as turtles. "What's near honesty?"
"It's honesty nearly all of the time."
"Well, then, that explains everything," Regina said with conviction, an unstoppable smile spreading her lips. "He must have been having one of his less-than-honest moments when he said that."
Edward gave what had to be an exaggerated sigh. "Alas, no. He says it often enough, if that were the case, he'd be practicing nevermore honesty."
Regina shook her head. "Just so you know, I don't find you boring in the least."
"That's good." The laughter that previously lit his eyes faded slightly, a serious glint taking its place. "That's actually very good, indeed." He shifted on the bench and flickered a quick glance just beyond her left shoulder before meeting her eyes again. He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. "May I talk to you about something important?"
Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs. "Important, you say?" She immediately coughed, then prayed he'd think her impending cough was the reason for the way her voice had squeaked.
"Yes," he said, his voice low and slightly uneven.
Excitement built up in Regina's chest. In less than a month, she'd have her come out and formally be allowed to be courted. Was he about to ask if he could court her when the time came? Although the ladies at the school had repeatedly told their students not to choose a gentleman suitor until they'd had a chance to meet all the eligible gentlemen, she was certain she'd agree immediately if he were to ask. There was just something about him. Something about the way he looked at her and spoke to her. The way they'd talked without hesitation-
"Regina," he said on a ragged breath. "I've really enjoyed spending the afternoon with you, and I think we-"
Whatever the rest of his sentence was, Regina would never know as it was drowned out by a loud and not-so-distant cry.
Regina's and Edward's wide eyes locked, then no more than a split-second later, they were both to their feet and running in the direction from which they'd heard the cry-being led by the sound of loud sobs.
"Sophie," Regina gasped as her eyes landed on her sobbing roommate.
Sophie sat on the ground with her knees up and her forehead pressed against them. Her long dark hair was down, covered in twigs and leaves.
Heedless to her own appearance, Regina sank to her knees and wrapped her arms around her friend. "Sophie, what's happened?"
Sophie said something, but it was drowned out by her sobs.
Regina squeezed her tighter. "Sophie, what happened?" she repeated.
Sophie lifted her mud-covered face a little and said something, but once again her words were inaudible over her sobs.
Regina dropped her gaze to the front of Sophie's gown and gasped. Just like her face, the fabric was covered in mud and split right down the middle of her bodice, exposing a good portion of both of her breasts to the air.
Sophie, still sobbing uncontrollably, seemed to pay no mind to her state of undress and shook violently as the sobs continued to wrack her body.
Regina was still looking at her friend and trying to puzzle out exactly what had happened to her when suddenly something soft, but heavy, hit the outside of her hand. She turned her head and blinked.
Edward Banks, forever the ideal gentleman in her mind, was running, not walking, in the direction of the school to seek help-sans coat. It was at that moment she knew for certain he'd captured her heart and would hold it captive until the moment she took her last breath.
~Chapter One~
One Year Later
Regina closed her father's copy of Debrett's with a sharp snap.
It was no use. The Season would start in only a week, and she had no more desire to land a husband now than she'd had at her come out.
With a sigh, Regina set the book on a nearby table and pulled her knees up against her chest. She leaned her head forward, resting her forehead against her knees, then wrapped her arms around her legs and squeezed. She hated attending balls and musicales, and the longer it took her to find a husband, the more she'd have to attend.
"Dreaming about him all the time won't make him reappear." a familiar voice called.
The hair on the back of Regina's neck stood on end and she squeezed her eyes tighter, willing her wretched older brother, Tobias Harris, to go away. "Stop."
"Stop what?"
She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of answering that. "What are you doing here?" she asked, lifting her eyes to look at him.
Toby shrugged and pulled a flask of whiskey from his breast pocket. "Just came to see you."
"You mean annoy me?"
"Watch your words, Regina." Toby sat down in the Italian leather chair closest to her and propped his feet up on the settee right next to her.
She cringed at the sight of his filthy shoes, caked with dirt and grime from walking through the slums of London, so close to her freshly pressed morning dress and resisted the urge to push them away.
"Still dreaming your prince-or should we say a gentleman who answers to the name of Edward Banks-will come and rescue you from another Season?"
Regina couldn't stop the heated blush that swept her face. "I should never have mentioned him."
"But you did." He uncorked his flask and took a quick swig of his whiskey. He grimaced and recorked his flask before slipping it back into his pocket. "And now I get to remind you about him for all of eternity." Reaching up to remove his powdered wig in one swift motion, he added, "It's my right as your older brother."
He was right, of course. Had she been thinking with her brain and not her heart, she wouldn't have told the truth when her aunt asked her if there was anyone she'd set her cap on. Now it was too late, and she had to endure Toby's not-so-gentle teasing about the first gentleman she'd come to care for.
Regina put her stockinged feet back into her cream slippers. She wouldn't mind his teasing so much if not for the bit of truth that laced his words. She did still dream of him; and more than anything, she wanted him to swoop in and rescue her from having to endure another torturous Season. But alas, as the number of days that preceded the start of this Season diminished, so did her chances of another meeting with Edward Banks. For it would seem the man had all but disappeared after their meeting last year.
"Don't be so glum, Regina. There's always a chance to rekindle your love for him after some stodgy old lord has made you a widow." Toby frowned and brushed the white hair powder from the brown sleeve of his coat. "By then he'll have forgotten you tried to woo him with your insufficient knowledge of amphibians."
Regina would have thrown a decorative pillow at his head for that remark if not for the fear he'd tattle on her to Father. Yes, he was that sort. Toby could tease to the point of outright cruelty, but if she were to so much as defend herself, he'd get angry and complain to Father. Nothing good came from being tattled on to Father. Ever.
"Why did you really come by today?"
Toby idly scratched his head where his wig had sat only moments before. "Nothing that concerns you."
"Oh." She lowered her lashes. Like Father, Toby often treated her as if she were a featherbrain who couldn't understand anything other than how to fan herself and curtsy.
"Where's Father?"
"He's in his study with one of his clients."
"Who?" Toby barked, startling her.
Regina licked her lips to stall for time. She didn't know or care who his guest was; she'd been in her room when he'd arrived. "I-I don't know."
"Well, it had better not be Lord Hogshead," he said with a pout.
Regina closed her eyes so she wouldn't roll them. Lucas Harris, her father, was one of the most prominent businessmen in London. Regina was embarrassed to admit it, but she didn't know his exact title nor where his office was located. He'd never seen fit to tell her, claiming it wasn't for her to worry about. What she did know from bits and pieces of conversations she'd heard was that he was a banker, of sorts. He lent money and advised his clients, which mainly consisted of titled peers, on business matters. One day, he'd pass his business down to Toby-who'd run off all the clientele if he didn't stop his pouting, whining, and all around being a weasel.