Page 55 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

After Sanders left, Corbyn sat at his desk. He had an extremely uncomfortable letter to write to the Undersecretary of the Alien Office. He reached for a piece of paper and the quill that was next to the inkpot.

How he dreaded writing this letter. It marked him as a failure. And he hated failing at anything.

Chapter Eight

Jane sat inthe drawing room as she read a book on the settee. She had just turned the page when Pratt stepped into the room and announced, “Mr. Haskett has requested to see you, milady.”

“Mr. Haskett?” she repeated, lowering her book to her lap.

“Yes,” he replied. “Would you care for his calling card?”

“I would not, but please send him in.”

As she waited for Mr. Haskett to step into the drawing room, she leaned forward and put the book on the table. She was pleased when a maid slipped into the room and went to sit down in the corner. She had no desire to be alone with Mr. Haskett.

Mr. Haskett stepped into the room, his eyes nervously darting about. “I was told that Oliver has departed for the day,” he said. “I hope that is correct.”

“It is.”

A relieved look came to his face. “That bodes well for me, then.”

Finding herself curious, Jane asked, “May I ask why you have returned, Mr. Haskett?”

“You may,” he replied, walking closer to her. “I wanted to see you again and apologize for my hasty departure earlier.”

“I assure you that isn’t necessary.”

“But it is.”

She gestured towards the settee opposite of her. “Please have a seat, and I will pour you some tea.”

“Thank you, Lady Jane.”

As she picked up the silver teapot, she commented, “Oliver would be furious to learn that you came to visit me again.”

“It’s a risk that I’m willing to take.”

Jane placed the teapot back down and picked up the teacup, which she extended towards Mr. Haskett. “What is it that you want, Mr. Haskett?”

The man smiled flirtatiously. “Nothing but the pleasure of your company.”

She leaned back in her seat. “May I be frank with you?”

“I would prefer it,” he replied before taking a sip.

“I think it would be best if we did not associate with one another,” she said.

“No?” he asked in an amused tone.

Jane shook her head. “You are a rake amongst thetonand a known gambler, much like my brother, Oliver.”

Mr. Haskett huffed. “Not anymore. Oliver has been redeemed.”

“Pardon?” She had not been expecting that.

“Oliver has changed since he came back from Lockhart Manor,” Mr. Haskett revealed. “He hasn’t been out gambling or drinking with us since then.”

“He hasn’t?”

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