by Beers, Laura
“I still have nightmares about that night.”
“As do I.”
“I keep replaying that night in my head over and over,” Corbyn revealed, “and I always ask myself what we could have done differently.”
Baldwin let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know, but we did the best we could at the time.”
“That isn’t good enough,” Corbyn replied. “I should have done better.”
“You can’t keep beating yourself up about that mission.”
Corbyn opened the door. “I made the call about leaving Kerley. I understand why he is seeking vengeance on me.”
“Promise me that you will be careful.”
“Aren’t I always?” Corbyn asked.
“No, you aren’t,” Baldwin countered. “That’s why I’m telling you to.”
Corbyn muttered his goodbye as he left the study. He had to get to work finding an elusive former agent who had managed to make him look like a fool up to this point, and he knew it would be no small feat.
Chapter Twelve
Dressed in her riding habit, Jane descended the stairs with a smile on her face. She still kept replaying the conversation between her and Lord Evan in the gardens yesterday. He hadn’t come out and admitted that he had feelings for her, but it did make her believe that he did hold her in some regard. And that was very promising.
The smell of food wafted out into the entry hall as she headed towards the dining room. She had just stepped into the room when she saw Baldwin sitting at the head of the table.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
“Good morning,” she replied as she approached the buffet. “Where is Madalene this morning?”
“She decided to sleep late,” Baldwin informed her.
After she placed a piece of toast and some eggs on her plate, Jane sat down to the right of her brother.
Baldwin perused the length of her. “You don’t intend to go riding this morning, do you?”
“I am wearing my riding habit,” she teased.
“Then I shall go with you.”
“I would enjoy that very much.”
Baldwin grew serious. “For the time being, I would prefer it if you did not leave Hawthorne House without me to accompany you.”
“Why is that?”
“Need I remind you that the streets of London are not a safe place?”
“I am well aware, but the person who attempted to abduct me is in jail.”
“He is not the only one who can hurt you.”
Jane placed her napkin on her lap. “What do you mean by that?”
“There are some bad people afoot, and I intend to ensure that you are protected from the evils of this world.”
“I am well aware of the evils of the world.”
Baldwin huffed. “Even uttering such a ridiculous comment shows your naïvety,” he said.
“So, your intention is for me to remain hidden behind the walls of our townhouse?”
“Just for the time being.”
“Am I still able to go to the orphanage with Madalene?”
“No.”
“Whyever not?”
“The rookeries are not a safe place, especially at this time.”
“But you will still allow Madalene to go?”
Baldwin nodded. “Yes, but I will send along additional footmen to protect her.”
Jane eyed him suspiciously. “What is truly going on?”
“Nothing that you need to worry about.”
“I hate when you attempt to pacify me.”
“That is not what I am attempting to do.”
“But you admit that you know more than you are letting on.”
“I do.”
“When will you start trusting me?” Jane asked as she reached for her glass.
“It is not a matter of trust, but a matter of keeping you safe.”
“That is rubbish.”
“I am sorry that you feel that way.”
Jane found herself growing increasingly agitated as she turned her attention towards her food. Her brother had just admitted there was more going on, but he refused to divulge any information. Why was that, she wondered.
Pratt stepped into the parlor and met her gaze. “Lord Brinton is here to call upon you, milady,” he announced. “Are you available for callers?”
“I am,” she replied. “Will you show him to the drawing room?”
Pratt tipped his head in response before departing.
“You and Percy seem to be getting along nicely,” Baldwin commented.
“We are just friends,” she said as she placed her napkin onto her empty plate.
Baldwin raised his brow. “Is Percy aware of that? Because I can’t help but notice that he appears to be showing you favor.”
“He knows where I stand.”
“And where is that?”
Jane frowned. “Are you always such a busybody?”
“No, but I find that you have piqued my interest.”
Rising, Jane replied, “If you must know, he has asked me to enter into a courtship with him.”
“I take it that you turned him down.”
“I did.”
Baldwin watched her curiously as he asked, “Is there a particular reason why?”
“I am not interested in matrimony at this time.”
“I see,” Baldwin muttered before turning back to his food.
“What do you see?” she asked.
Baldwin placed his fork down and met her gaze. “I believe you are interested in matrimony, just not with Percy.”
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
Placing her hand on her hip, she asked, “And who would I be interested in matrimony with?”
“Corbyn.”
Jane stared back at him in surprise. “Why would you say that?”
“Because I can’t help but notice that you blush profusely every time he comes around,” Baldwin teased.
“That is not the least bit true.”
Baldwin smirked. “I’m afraid it is,” he replied. “You wear your emotions on your sleeve, my dear sister.”
“I do not,” she argued.
“It has been that way since we were young.”
“Regardless, Lord Evan and I do not have an understanding between us,” she remarked. “We are just—”
“Friends,” Baldwin said, finishing her thought. “I know what I saw in the gardens yesterday. You appeared to be quite smitten with him.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I want the truth.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Like you tell me?”
Baldwin shifted in his seat. “It is entirely different.”
“I think not,” Jane replied. “When you are willing to confide in me, then I will do the same with you.”
Baldwin put his hands up in surrender. “You win.”
“Thank you.”
Jane started for the door but stopped when Baldwin said, “Just be patient with Corbyn.”
“Why do you say that?”
Baldwin leaned back in his chair. “I have known him a long time,” he began, “and he does things in his own way and in his own time.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Good.”
As Jane walked across the entry hall, she found herself wondering what Baldwin meant. Why couldn’t he just come out and say what he was thinking? It would be much simpler.
She stepped into the drawing room and saw Percy standing near the window. He was staring out over the gardens, his hands clasped behind his back.
“I hope I didn’t make you wait too long.”
Percy dropped his arms to his sides and turned to face her with a smile. “Not at all. You are looking lovely today, Jane.”
“Thank you.”
He approached her but stopped a few feet from her. “I have come to inquire how you are faring after what transpired in Hyde Park.”
“You mean when I was abducted.”
Percy winced. “Yes.”
“I am faring much better now,” she replied.
With a hesitant look on his face, he said, “I wanted to apologize for not attempting to stop that man.”
She put her hand up, stilling his words. “You were put in an impossible situation,” she asserted. “He threatened to kill me if you followed, leaving you little choice in the matter.”
“True, but I feel awful for what transpired.”
“I think you were brave, given the circumstances.”
“You do?”
“Yes,” she replied. “You were able to race back to Hawthorne House to inform my brother about the abduction, which saved us a considerable amount of time in explanations when we returned.”
“That is true, but…” His words trailed off. “I should never have let you go with that man, Jane. It has been weighing heavily on my mind.”
Jane took a step closer to him. “I do not fault you for doing so. You must know that.”
“Why are you so kind to me?” he asked.
“Because we were both threatened in Hyde Park, and we both made it out alive,” she pressed. “That has to count for something.”
Percy smiled at her. “You are truly a remarkable woman.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“If you aren’t previously engaged, would you care to go on a carriage ride with me?”
She shook her head. “Unfortunately, I am unable to,” she replied. “My brother has asked me to remain at Hawthorne House for the foreseeable future.”
“May I ask why?”
“He is worried for my safety.”
“I can respect that.”
A maid walked into the room with a tray in her hand. “Lord Hawthorne thought you might prefer some refreshment,” she explained as she put it on the table.
“That was most thoughtful of him,” Jane acknowledged.
The maid gestured towards the teapot. “Would you care for me to pour, milady?”
“That won’t be necessary,” she replied.
The maid offered her a timid smile before sitting on an upholstered chair in the corner.
Jane turned her attention back towards Percy. “Would you care for some tea?”
“I would,” he responded.
After they were situated on the settee, Jane poured two cups of tea and extended one to Percy.
“Thank you,” he murmured before taking a sip. “I wrote something for you.”
“You did?”
Percy put his teacup down and reached into a pocket of his green waistcoat. He removed a folded piece of paper. “Your eyes shine and bedazzle like the stars in the sky.”
He looked up at her. “Shall I continue?”
“Please, do,” she encouraged, attempting to hold back her smile.
“Your smile could light up any night.” Percy lowered the paper and gave her a nervous smile. “Are they awful?”
She nodded. “They are, truly.”
“I thought I could woo you by being romantic,” he said.
Jane shifted in her seat to face him. “I appreciate the gesture, but it still does not change my mind about us.”
Percy let out a deep, heartfelt sigh. “May I ask what I did wrong?”
“You did nothing wrong,” she assured him.
“I still believe we would suit admirably.”
“I’m afraid I am looking for more in a union,” she admitted. “I want to be desperately in love when I marry.”
He moved to sit on the edge of his seat. “Do you believe you could fall in love with me?” he asked hopefully.
“Sadly, I do not.”
“Whyever not?” he asked, a crestfallen look on his face.
She pressed her lips together, then admitted, “I’m afraid my heart belongs to another.”
“Does this man know how lucky he is?”
“He does not.”
“Then he is an utter fool,” Percy remarked.
“Thank you for saying so.”
He stared at her for a long moment before he rose. “It would be best if I departed.”
“I would like for us to part as friends,” she said, rising.
With a smile on his lips, he replied, “I would like that as well.”
As Jane watched Percy depart, she felt sorry for him. He was a good man, and she hoped that he would find love, but it wouldn’t be with her.
“Has the coach been brought around front?” Corbyn asked as he stepped into the entry hall and adjusted his gloves.
“It has,” Rudd confirmed.
“Excellent.”
“A letter from your mother was delivered this morning.”
“Put it on my desk in the study. No doubt, she’s asking when I will visit my father again.”
Rudd opened the door and stood to the side. “I hope you have a pleasant day, my lord.”
“Thank you,” Corbyn replied as he stepped outside.
After he was situated in the coach, he removed his top hat and placed it on the bench next to him. His eyes watched a young woman walking with a servant trailing behind her, causing him to conjure up the image of Jane.
How he adored her, and he found himself thinking about her at the most inopportune times. But he couldn’t possibly act on his feelings. Jane was innocent and kind. Two things that he most assuredly was not. She needed someone who would love her for who she truly was and would protect her from the evils of this world.
He was most definitely not the man for her. He couldn’t bring her into his web of lies, corrupting her in the process. She deserved better than him. Besides, his life was not conducive to having a wife. He knew that, which made it irksome that he found himself constantly thinking about her. From the moment he had met Jane, he had been beguiled by her. She was a refreshing change from the other girls amongst the ton.
Jane had no problem with speaking her mind, and he appreciated that. Nor did she try to hide behind coy smiles and thinly veiled insults. But it was her eyes that told him everything he needed to know. She may try to conceal her feelings, but her eyes never lied to him. They held a genuineness about them.
He cared for Jane too much to ever trap her in a marriage with him. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he saw the same distrust in her eyes that she had for her brother, Oliver, which would be inevitable. He wouldn’t be able to tell her the truth about his day and who he met with. No. He could only dream about a future with Jane, but nothing more.
The coach came to a stop and a footman opened the door. Corbyn reached for his top hat before stepping onto the road.
“Would you like for us to wait for you, milord?” the footman asked.
Corbyn placed his hat on top of his head. “That won’t be necessary,” he replied. “I’ll secure a hackney when I am ready to return home.”
The footman tipped his head in acknowledgment and returned to his perch on the back of the coach. As the coach merged back into traffic, Corbyn felt as if he were being watched. His eyes scanned the buildings and the people walking along the street, but he saw nothing that would give him any pause. Not that he was expecting to find someone blatantly staring at him. If someone truly was following him, they would be discreet about it.
Appearing unconcerned, Corbyn started walking down the street at a steady pace. He didn’t want to give anyone the impression that he’d caught on to them. He was a few blocks from his office, but he didn’t want to lead whoever was following him to that building. Instead, he calmly stepped into an alleyway and retrieved a pistol from the back of his trousers.
He remained in the shadows and waited to see if the person would follow him into the alley. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long. Stewart stepped into the alleyway, dressed in a brown suit and red waistcoat.
“How did you know I was following you?” Stewart asked.
“I had a feeling,” Corbyn replied, keeping the pistol tucked to his side.
Stewart lifted his brow. “A feeling?”
“I h
ave learned never to discount my gut,” Corbyn admitted. “It’s what has kept me alive for all these years.”
“I can imagine.”
“May I ask why you are following me?”
“I saw you exit out of your coach and was curious to see where you were going,” Stewart said unabashedly.
“Why?”
Stewart stepped further into the alleyway. “If you must know, I don’t know much about you.”
“I assure you that is purely by design.”
“By your own confession, I know that you work at the Alien Office, but no one would confirm that at the Home Office.”
“Of course not.”
“I even tried interviewing your household staff, but they were incredibly uncommunicative about you.”
“That pleases me, since I pay them well for their discretion.”
Stewart gave him a baffled look. “Which makes me wonder what you are hiding from me.”
Corbyn reached behind him and tucked the pistol into his waistband of his trousers. “There is a coffeehouse around the corner,” he shared. “Why don’t we go there and discuss this?”
“I would appreciate that.”
As they exited the alleyway, Corbyn glanced over at Stewart. “If you truly want to go incognito, you might want to consider not wearing the red waistcoat.”
Stewart tugged down on the ends of the waistcoat. “The red waistcoat marks me as a Bow Street Runner.”
“Exactly. It does stand out amongst a crowd.”
“That is the point,” Stewart replied. “Besides, I have only just left a meeting with the magistrate, and we are required to wear it.”
“Ah,” Corbyn said. “That certainly does make sense.”
They approached the coffeehouse, and Stewart moved to open the door. “Allow me, my lord.”
“Thank you.”
They stepped into the room and a young man approached them with a tray in his hand. “Please sit down, and I will bring you some coffee.”
Corbyn walked towards a round table in the corner and sat down, ensuring that his back faced the wall. His eyes roamed the room, surveying the nearly empty hall, and he saw two windows along the back wall.
“This place doesn’t appear to be too popular,” Stewart commented as he sat down next to Corbyn.
“I assure you that it gets rather busy during the evenings.”
They waited patiently as the young man walked over and placed two cups of hot coffee in front of them.