A Dangerous Lord

by Beers, Laura

  “It’s what I was trained for.”

  “No, it’s more than that,” his father pressed. “I didn’t detect a hint of fear in your demeanor.”

  “Perhaps I am too sure of my abilities,” Corbyn joked.

  His father shook his head. “I’m beginning to wonder what you truly do at the Home Office.”

  All humor left Corbyn’s face. “What I do, I take very seriously.”

  “So it would seem.” His father’s voice hitched. “You have made me very proud.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  His father reached for his hand. “I know you are not one to seek after my approval, but I was wrong to withhold it from you for all these years.”

  “That means more to me than you will ever know.”

  His father smiled at him. “I have revised my will and have left you a generous inheritance.”

  “That wasn’t necessary, Father.”

  “I know, but I have a sneaking suspicion you will be the one looking after your mother once I am gone.”

  “It will be my pleasure.”

  His father tightened his hold on his hand. “If you ever change your mind, I have no doubt Simon would welcome you back home.”

  “I think it might be best if Simon and I continue to remain on different paths.”

  “I am beginning to agree with you,” his father said as he released his hand. “Just promise me you won’t dismiss him completely.”

  “I won’t, Father.”

  His father waved his hand in front of him. “Now, go and get your bride,” he encouraged. “You have my blessing.”

  “Thank you.”

  As Corbyn walked towards the door, his father’s voice stopped him. “Do right by her, Son.”

  “You have my word,” he said. “If Jane will have me, I intend to love her with all my heart, mind, and strength.”

  His father bobbed his head. “That pleases me immensely to hear.”

  Corbyn walked over and opened the door. To his surprise, his mother was standing right outside. He lifted his brow in question. “Were you eavesdropping?”

  She smiled at him. “Of course I was,” she replied, her eyes moist with tears. “There’s no shame in eavesdropping in one’s own home.”

  “I shall have to remember that.”

  “You have made me very happy by coming here today,” she said. “I have no doubt that you and Lady Jane will be immensely happy together.”

  Corbyn kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, Mother.”

  “Good luck, Evan.”

  Jane smiled as she sat in the drawing room and worked on her embroidery. She was biding her time until Lord Evan came to call on her, and she found herself growing rather anxious. He said he would come to see her, but what if something came up? It wouldn’t be out of the range of possibilities. He was a spy, after all.

  She had always craved adventure, but in her wildest dreams she hadn’t considered that she would fall in love with a spy. She had to admit she was rather excited by that prospect. Now that she knew the truth, everything else seemed to have fallen into place. Even her brothers’ eccentric ways now made sense, and she felt immensely proud of them.

  Lord Evan had confessed he had feelings for her, but were his feelings deep enough for him to offer for her? Frankly, she didn’t know what to expect. The only thing she knew for certain was that she was desperately in love with him.

  Jane pulled the needle and thread out of the fabric and felt her smile dim. Good heavens, what if she’d interpreted something that wasn’t there between her and Lord Evan?

  Madalene’s voice broke through her musings. “There you are,” she said cheerfully. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  “You have?” Jane watched Madalene and Emmeline walk into the drawing room.

  Emmeline nodded. “We have,” she replied as she closed the door. “We were hoping to speak to you.”

  “What were you hoping to discuss?” Jane asked, lowering her embroidery to her lap.

  Madalene sat across from her on the settee. “Baldwin and Oliver informed us that you recently discovered the truth about them.”

  “I did.”

  Emmeline claimed the seat next to Madalene and gave her an expectant look. “Do you have any questions for us?”

  “How long have you known your husbands were spies?” Jane inquired.

  Madalene’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “It was right after I was abducted by a French spy,” she revealed.

  “You were abducted by a French spy?” Jane repeated in surprise.

  “I was,” Madalene confirmed. “Marie intended to blow up Fieldstone Square, and she told me that Baldwin was a spy.”

  Emmeline spoke up. “Oliver told me he was a spy, but I didn’t believe him until he valiantly fought off my uncle and a vicar who were intent on killing us.”

  Jane shook her head in disbelief. “I had no idea.”

  Emmeline smiled. “Your family has a lot of secrets; even I am not privy to all of them,” she said. “Frankly, I’m surprised you didn’t piece it together after you followed Oliver.”

  “I am surprised, as well,” Jane replied. “It’s much more logical than Oliver being a rebel. Although, he plays the role of a gambler and rake very well.”

  “That he does,” Emmeline agreed, “but I can assure you that it is only an act.”

  Placing her embroidery on the table next to her, Jane said, “It provides me great comfort to finally know the truth of my brothers. For so long, I’ve had many lingering questions that are explained by them being agents.”

  “Baldwin is technically retired,” Madalene shared, “but he is more than eager to step back into the role whenever it is required of him.”

  “Which I am immensely grateful for,” Jane stated. “He helped save my life.”

  Madalene exchanged a knowing look with Emmeline. “Baldwin informed me that Lord Evan intends to call on you today.”

  “That’s true,” Jane confirmed.

  “You should know that Baldwin and Oliver have bets on when he is going to offer for you,” Emmeline shared, smiling.

  “Good heavens!” Jane exclaimed. “He hasn’t even declared his intentions yet.”

  “It’s fairly obvious that he cares for you by the way he stares at you,” Madalene expressed. “It is the look of a man in love.”

  “Love?” Jane repeated. “I don’t wish to presume he loves me.”

  Emmeline gave her a pointed look. “Do you love him?”

  Jane pressed her lips together, delaying her response. She could lie to her friends, but she didn’t want to. “Yes, I am in love with him.”

  “I knew it,” Madalene declared. “When I saw you dancing with him at the ball, I knew you were smitten.”

  Jane brought her finger up to her lips and shushed her. “No one else can know, especially not my mother.”

  “Why not?” Madalene asked.

  “I don’t want to give her any false hope that Lord Evan will offer for me,” Jane admitted. “It wouldn’t be fair of me.”

  Emmeline reached for the teapot on the tray and poured herself a cup of tea. “I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s health.”

  “I can’t imagine a world without my mother in it,” Jane shared.

  A pensive look came to Emmeline’s face. “It can be a lonely world, if you let it be.”

  “I’m sorry, Emme—”

  Emmeline put her hand up, stilling her words. “Don’t be,” she replied. “I understood what you meant.”

  Jane rose and walked over to the window. “Do you think something came up to delay Lord Evan’s arrival?” she asked as she stared out over the courtyard.

  “It isn’t entirely unlikely. He does have an important job,” Madalene mused.

  “What if he changed his mind about me?” Jane asked, voicing her greatest fear. “About us?”

  Emmeline took a sip of her drink. “Trusting another with your heart is scary, but you must trust Lord Evan’s intent
ions.”

  Madalene bobbed her head. “I agree with Emmeline,” she said. “You must trust Lord Evan above all else.”

  A knock came at the door.

  “Enter,” Madalene ordered.

  The door opened and Pratt stepped inside. “Lord Evan is here to call upon you, milady. Are you available for callers?” he asked Jane.

  “I am,” she replied eagerly as she smoothed down her pink gown.

  Pratt tipped his head. “I shall send him in, then,” he said.

  Madalene laughed as she rose. “Well, I believe Emmeline and I will give you and Corbyn a moment alone.”

  Emmeline took a sip of her tea and then placed her cup onto the tray. “But we would be happy to stay, if you prefer.”

  “No, I can handle this on my own,” Jane said.

  Lord Evan stepped into the room, dressed in a dark blue jacket, ivory waistcoat, and caramel-colored trousers. His eyes landed on her and a smile played on his lips. “Lady Jane,” he said in a soft, almost reverent voice. “You are looking especially lovely today.”

  “That is kind of you to say, Lord Evan,” she replied, clasping her hands in front of her.

  Lord Evan’s eyes shifted towards Madalene and Emmeline. “It is lovely to see you beautiful ladies, as well.”

  They smiled in response and offered their greetings.

  Lord Evan took a step further into the room and brought his gaze back to Jane. “I was hoping to speak to you for a moment, alone, assuming you don’t mind.”

  “No, I don’t,” Jane replied.

  Madalene spoke up. “I need to speak to the cook about supper tonight,” she said.

  “And I need to…” Emmeline hesitated, “brush my hair.”

  Jane smiled at Emmeline’s ridiculous excuse and watched as they departed from the room without saying another word.

  Jane gestured towards the teapot. “Would you care for some tea?”

  “I would not,” Lord Evan said. “I came to see if you are well.”

  “I am,” she replied, chiding herself for feeling the least bit nervous.

  “That is wonderful news.” Lord Evan took a step closer to her. “I was worried that yesterday’s events may have changed your opinion of me.”

  “I assure you, they have not.”

  Lord Evan let out a relieved sigh. “That pleases me immensely.”

  “Is that so?”

  He took another step closer to her, his eyes holding vulnerability. “I am not a rich man, and I know that I scarcely deserve you,” he said. “I tried to stop myself from loving you, but I failed miserably.”

  “You did?”

  He nodded. “Furthermore, I work in a position that requires me to keep secrets from you. Loads of secrets.”

  “I understand.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “Because I am fearful that I will lose your trust and you will grow to resent me.”

  Jane took a step closer to him and reached for his hand. “I trust you, wholeheartedly.”

  “Do you?” he asked, glancing down at their entwined hands. “Even when I have late nights or early morning meetings with informants?”

  She nodded. “As long as you can promise that you will endeavor to return home to me every night.”

  Lord Evan smiled. “That is the easiest promise I have ever had to make.”

  “You will find that I am quite agreeable when I want to be.”

  Raising her hand to his lips, Lord Evan said, “From the moment I met you, it has always been you.”

  Tears came to Jane’s eyes. “I feel the same way.”

  “I am relieved to hear that, because I don’t believe I could go on living without you,” Lord Evan replied as he kissed her knuckles. “Will you do me the grand honor of marrying me?”

  “Yes,” she murmured.

  Lord Evan lowered their hands and stepped closer to her. His eyes searched her face as he leaned closer. “I have been dreaming about this moment for a very long time,” he murmured, his lips now hovering over hers.

  As he brushed his warm lips against hers in a series of pure, yet masterful kisses, Jane closed her eyes and melted against him. Then, he kissed her a little more deeply, and she found herself relishing in every moment, every touch. Never had she imagined a kiss to be more perfect than this. It nearly consumed her, body and soul.

  He kissed her again before resting his forehead against hers. “I love you, Jane.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He smiled at her, making her feel as if she might burst with happiness. “Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, my heart will always be yours.”

  “Oh, Evan,” she breathed.

  A jovial voice came from the doorway. “Does this mean there is to be a wedding?”

  Jane nodded as she leaned back. “It does.”

  Her mother clasped her hands together. “What wonderful news!” she exclaimed. “We shall post the banns at once.”

  “I take it your mother is excited about our union,” Evan remarked.

  Jane laughed. “She is, most definitely.”

  Evan offered her a private smile. “I will do whatever it takes to ensure that you are my bride.”

  Unable to resist, Jane leaned in and kissed her fiancé on the lips. “You have my heart, now and forever,” she murmured.

  Epilogue

  Six years later

  The sun had just set as Corbyn sat in his office and read through his pile of correspondence. He had been working for hours, but he was waiting for the dinner bell to be rung before he took a break. Jane insisted that they eat supper together every evening, and he had readily agreed to that. He loved nothing more than spending time with his wife.

  His wife.

  Even after all these years, he considered himself the luckiest man in the world to have convinced Jane to marry him. He loved her more with each passing day, and he was grateful that he had been wrong about his life not being conducive to having a wife. Because of her, his life was filled with immense joy. A joy that he scarcely deserved.

  His brother’s voice broke him out of his reverie. “I see that I assumed correctly that you would be in here,” Simon remarked from the doorway.

  Corbyn leaned back in his chair. “I’m afraid so.”

  “You work entirely too hard,” Simon declared as he stepped further into the room.

  “Not hard enough, if you ask me,” Corbyn remarked. “There is a never-ending pile of work that needs to be done.”

  “That is how I feel about managing the duchy.”

  Rising, Corbyn walked over to the drink cart. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  A pained look came to Simon’s face. “I suppose one drink won’t hurt.”

  Corbyn picked up the decanter and poured two drinks. As he extended a glass towards his brother, he asked, “What brings you by this evening?”

  Simon took a sip, then said, “I didn’t have the chance to speak to you at your daughter’s christening yesterday.”

  “I do apologize about that.”

  “No need to apologize,” Simon replied. “I find myself in awe that you have three children now.”

  Corbyn smiled. “It is a remarkable feat.”

  Simon walked over to the brown leather sofa and sat down. “How did you do it?”

  Chuckling, Corbyn said, “When a man loves a woman very much—”

  His brother cut him off. “That is not what I mean,” Simon stated. “I just find myself curious how you and Jane have made your marriage work so splendidly.”

  “That’s simple,” Corbyn replied. “I love Jane more than anything else in the world, and I strive to ensure that she is happy.”

  Simon placed his drink onto a side table. “I would do anything to have someone look at me the way Jane looks at you.”

  “I have been most fortunate.”

  “You have.”

  Corbyn took a sip of his drink before saying, “It is not too late with Catherine.”

  Simon shook his head. “I’
m afraid Catherine is not interested in reconciling.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “It’s my own fault,” Simon said with a sigh. “I took her for granted, and I lost her.”

  “What of Beatrice?”

  Simon reached for his glass. “I tire of Beatrice,” he shared. “The more time we spend together, the more I know that we are ill-suited for one another.”

  “I see.”

  “My loneliness is entirely of my own doing,” Simon admitted. “I have spent the past few years doing whatever I pleased and lost track of who I truly am.”

  “And who is that?”

  Simon gulped down the rest of his drink and placed his glass down. “Frankly, I don’t know anymore.”

  “You have time to make amends,” Corbyn encouraged.

  “I’m afraid I don’t.”

  Fearing he misheard his brother, he asked, “Pardon?”

  His brother grew solemn. “The doctor informed me that my liver is failing.”

  “Have you sought another opinion?”

  Simon nodded. “I have spoken to more than ten doctors, and they all agree on one thing.”

  “Which is?”

  “I don’t have much time left,” he said quietly.

  Corbyn felt like he had been punched in the gut. “Is that so?”

  Simon rose and walked over to the fireplace. “It would appear that you will be the next Duke of Weatherby soon enough.”

  “I have never aspired for that title.”

  “And yet, it shall be yours.”

  Corbyn sat back in his seat as he attempted to formulate his thoughts. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

  “I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily.”

  “You should have told me.”

  “It wouldn’t have changed anything.”

  Corbyn sighed. “You are right, of course.”

  Simon placed his hands on the mantel and leaned in. “I find myself in the uncomfortable position of being envious of you.”

  “In what way?”

  A smile came to Simon’s lips. “You have a wife that adores you and three beautiful children.”

  “You have three children, as well.”

  His smile dimmed. “Besides being illegitimate, they barely tolerate me.”