Page 71 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

Jane’s voice broke through his musings. “Why would anyone wish to abduct me?”

“For many reasons,” Corbyn replied.

“Such as?”

“The person could have tried to ransom you or sell you to a merchant who would put you on a ship bound for India,” he explained.

“That is horrible,” she muttered.

“Sadly, it is a plight too many women are forced to deal with, especially in the rookeries, where very few would notice their absence.”

Jane glanced down at her clasped hands in her lap. “Thank you for saving me.”

He smiled at her. “You don’t need to keep thanking me.”

“But I do,” she pressed. “You’ve saved me twice now.”

“I’m not keeping track.”

“I am.”

“I don’t want harm to ever befall you. You must know that.”

She nodded. “I do.”

“I’m glad.”

Jane pressed her lips together for a moment. “It was most fortunate for me that you were meeting with a Bow Street Runner.”

“Yes, it was.”

“May I ask why you were meeting with a Bow Street Runner in Hyde Park?” she asked with a curious glance.

“Where else would I speak to a Bow Street Runner?” Corbyn joked. “Perhaps we should have met for some lemon ice at Gunter’s.”

Jane smiled, as he hoped she would.

“But to answer your question,” he started, “I was looking into hiring a Bow Street Runner because one of my household staff is stealing from me.”

“That is most unfortunate.”

“It is.” He felt the slightest twinge of guilt for lying to her, but he knew he had no choice. He couldn’t explain his true reason for meeting with a Bow Street Runner.

Jane shifted her gaze towards the window and wrinkled her nose. “That man smelled awful.”

“He did?”

“He smelled like he had just come from the rookeries.”

“That bad?”

She bobbed her head but didn’t say anything else.

Corbyn decided it might be best if they spoke about something else. “I couldn’t help but notice that you appeared to be enjoying yourself with Lord Brinton before that man attempted to abduct you.” His words sounded forced to his own ears.

“Yes, I suppose I was,” she replied, bringing her gaze back to meet his.

He clenched his jaw at her admission. “Are you of a mind to enter a courtship with him?” he asked begrudgingly.

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