Page 39 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

She smiled. “We are not children anymore.”

“My name is still Percy,” he said. “I give you leave to call me that when we are alone.”

“I would like that, assuming you will continue calling me Jane.”

Percy gave her a smug look. “I would have done that, even if you hadn’t granted me permission.”

“I see that you haven’t changed since we were little.”

“No, I am still the same boy who played pirates with you when our fathers were hunting.”

“If I recall correctly, you would always force me to play the maiden in distress so you could save me from the bad pirates.”

Percy puffed out his chest. “I would have made an exceptional pirate.”

“Yes, you would have,” she teased. “I am sure the tree branches that you used in place of swords would have frightened the real pirates.”

The music started drifting out of the ballroom, causing Percy to stop on the gravel. “As much as I don’t want this moment to end, I’m afraid I must return you to your mother so Mr. Haskett can claim his dance with you.”

“I suppose that would be for the best.”

Percy hesitated for a moment, almost appearing nervous, before he asked, “Would it be permissible for me to call upon you tomorrow?”

She smiled. “I would be honored.”

He returned her smile. “I shall be looking forward to it.”

Chapter Six

Corbyn leaned hisshoulder against a column as he held a drink in his hand. His eyes roamed the room, ignoring the women that were batting their eyelashes at him. He had no desire to dance this evening, but he knew he must dance at least one set for propriety’s sake.

He had already greeted his aunt, and she expressed how pleased she was that he had come this evening. Now, he just had to bide his time until he could leave and get back to work. He had a never-ending list of tasks that he must accomplish. He doubted that he could complete them all in two lifetimes, let alone one.

Corbyn watched as Jane danced with Mr. Haskett and found his hand tightening around his glass. She was too good for the likes of that rake, but he was well aware of the impropriety that came from turning down an offer to dance. Even though Jane’s face was expressionless as she danced the set, he could see that her movements were stiff. She clearly was not enjoying herself and, for some inexplicable reason, that pleased him immensely.

He shifted his gaze away from Jane so as not to appear as if he were favoring her. Which he wasn’t. It didn’t matter that Jane looked beautiful this evening, and her gown hugged her curves perfectly. Or that there was brilliance about her that made her shine while everyone around her seemed dull. No. That made little difference to him. At least, that is what he kept telling himself.

He watched as his tall, thin mother approached him with a bright smile on her face. But the smile didn’t reach her eyes; there was pain lurking within, and his heart lurched at the sight of it.

“Mother,” he greeted politely as he straightened from the column.

She came to a stop in front of him. “How are you, Evan?”

“I am well,” he replied. “And you?”

Her eyes left his and roamed the room. “I am not doing well,” she admitted, her smile intact. He knew she was keeping up the pretense that all was well, at least to the other members of theton.

“I am sorry about Father.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. “When do you intend to visit him?”

“I am not sure.”

His mother brought her gaze back to meet his. “I wouldn’t wait too long,” she advised. “He doesn’t have much time left.”

“I am surprised that you are here, given Father’s condition.”

“He insisted that I come,” she replied. “He doesn’t want thetonto know about his failing health.”

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