Page 38 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“My apologies,” she replied. “I assume you are speaking of Baldwin.”

“I am.”

“I have been doing well since his return,” she said. “Thank you for asking.”

He offered her a smile. “And what of Oliver?”

“What about him?”

“It must be nice for him to be home, happily married to his wife.”

“I suppose so.”

“I heard that he raced after Emmeline, saved her from a near certain death at her uncle’s hand, and vanquished a band of smugglers from Whitstable,” Lord Brinton said excitedly.

“That he did,” she muttered.

Lord Brinton lifted his brow. “Your brother is a hero.”

She huffed. “I think not.”

“What would you call him, then?”

“I can think of plenty of names to call him, but heroic is not one of them,” she admitted.

Placing a hand on her sleeve, he stopped on the gravel footpath and turned her to face him. “May I ask why you hold so much animosity towards Oliver?”

“I’m afraid you wouldn’t understand my reasons.”

He grinned. “I have been told that I am quite trustworthy.”

“I imagine that you are.”

“I know we are not children anymore, but I hope that we will always remain friends.”

Jane bobbed her head. “I would like that, as well.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said, “and as your friend, I would like to counsel you to stay as far away from Oliver’s friends as possible.”

She laughed. “I intend to.”

As they resumed their walk along the footpath, Lord Brinton asked, “How is your mother faring?”

“She is well.”

“I am pleased to hear that.”

“May I ask how your mother is?”

He grew silent, then said, “Her coughing has increased, and I am fearful that it will persist this Season.”

“I am sorry to hear that.”

“It just reminds me that life is precious, and we never know how long we have on this earth,” Lord Brinton said. “We must seize every day and live life to the fullest.”

“Well said, my lord.”

He shook his head. “Since when did you start saying ‘my lord’ to me?”

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