Page 26 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

She began as she gracefully lowered herself onto the settee. “I fear that I have made a grievous error with you.”

“In what way?”

“I have indulged you for far too long, and it is time for you to do your duty and be wed.”

Jane stared back at her mother in disbelief. “Pardon?”

“Do not look so surprised, my dear. I have been suggesting you marry for years.”

“That is true,” she was forced to agree.

“You are twenty-one years old and have already had three Seasons,” her mother continued. “You have legions of admirers that no doubt would leap at the chance to court you.”

Jane clasped her hands in her lap. “But I am not interested in matrimony at this time.”

“You always say that.”

“It makes it no less true.”

Her mother gave her a knowing look. “You must think of the possibilities,” she pressed. “An advantageous marriage would secure your future.”

“I refuse to marry for anything other than love.”

Her mother bobbed her head in agreement. “That is what I hope for you, as well.”

“Why now, Mother?” she asked.

Her mother reached out and placed a hand on her sleeve. “I don’t think I was ever so frightened as when I heard you had left the safety of the orphanage and followed Oliver to the docks.”

“It all worked out.”

“Yes, because of Lord Evan.”

“That may be true, but—”

“It is entirely true,” her mother said, stopping her excuses. “A woman cannot defend herself against two ruffians.” She sighed. “I am not pleased with Oliver’s choices, either, but you can’t become reckless because of it. You must remain in control of your senses.”

“Aren’t you the least bit curious where Oliver is going all the time?”

Her mother’s face grew forlorn as she withdrew her hand. “I accepted long ago that Oliver is his own person, and he comes and goes as he pleases.”

“But how long can he continue to disappoint Emmeline before she returns to Lockhart Manor without him?” Jane asked.

“I cannot answer that question, but Emmeline does appear to be content at Hawthorne House.”

“For now.”

“Yes, for now.”

Shifting in her seat, Jane asked, “Would you have followed Oliver, if our situations were reversed?”

Her mother pondered her question before answering. “No. I wouldn’t have been brave enough to leave the orphanage without being accompanied.”

“I think you would have been,” Jane said.

“You do?”

Jane nodded. “You are the bravest woman that I know.”

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