Page 16 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

Corbyn followed the woman through a narrow hall until they arrived at a door in the back. The woman knocked and waited only a moment before she opened the door.

“This bloke is here for you,” the woman announced before she walked away.

He stepped into the room, being mindful to close the door behind him, and saw Miss Polly was sitting at her dressing table. She was at least ten years older than him, but the wrinkles on her face had started to deepen, making her appear older. She had black hair, contrasting nicely with her fair skin, and her lips were always painted red. She was dressed in a maroon gown that left little to the imagination.

Miss Polly’s face lit up when she saw him. “Bryan,” she said, “what an unexpected surprise.”

“I hope I am not intruding.”

“You are never intruding,” she said. “What can I help you with?”

He glanced back at the door, then asked, “Who is the new girl?”

Miss Polly let out a sigh. “That’s Lydia, and she means well.”

“Is that so?”

“She is just struggling to find her place here.”

Corbyn walked over to the bed and sat down. “How have you been?”

“I am well,” Miss Polly replied, shifting in her chair to face him. “Business is booming right now.”

“I am happy to hear that.”

Miss Polly gave him a curious look. “What brings you by?”

“Nothing but the pleasure of speaking to an old friend,” he lied.

She laughed, as he hoped she would. “I surely doubt that,” she said. “I believe we both know why you are here.”

He grew serious. “I regret to inform you that Hannity was killed.”

Miss Polly gasped, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. “Not Hannity.”

“I’m afraid so.”

“That is a travesty.”

“By your reaction,” he started, “I take it that you or your girls haven’t heard anything about his death, then.”

“I haven’t, and none of my girls mentioned anything to me.”

“That is disconcerting.”

Rising, Miss Polly walked over to the bed and sat next to him. “You should know that I spoke to Hannity a few days ago.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “He came by looking for information.”

“May I ask what you spoke about?”

“He asked if we had received any counterfeit bills as payment.”

Corbyn knitted his brows. “Do you know what led him to that question?”

With a shake of her head, Miss Polly replied, “He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.”

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