Page 89 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

Baldwin put his hands up in surrender. “You win.”

“Thank you.”

Jane started for the door but stopped when Baldwin said, “Just be patient with Corbyn.”

“Why do you say that?”

Baldwin leaned back in his chair. “I have known him a long time,” he began, “and he does things in his own way and in his own time.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

As Jane walked across the entry hall, she found herself wondering what Baldwin meant. Why couldn’t he just come out and say what he was thinking? It would be much simpler.

She stepped into the drawing room and saw Percy standing near the window. He was staring out over the gardens, his hands clasped behind his back.

“I hope I didn’t make you wait too long.”

Percy dropped his arms to his sides and turned to face her with a smile. “Not at all. You are looking lovely today, Jane.”

“Thank you.”

He approached her but stopped a few feet from her. “I have come to inquire how you are faring after what transpired in Hyde Park.”

“You mean when I was abducted.”

Percy winced. “Yes.”

“I am faring much better now,” she replied.

With a hesitant look on his face, he said, “I wanted to apologize for not attempting to stop that man.”

She put her hand up, stilling his words. “You were put in an impossible situation,” she asserted. “He threatened to kill me if you followed, leaving you little choice in the matter.”

“True, but I feel awful for what transpired.”

“I think you were brave, given the circumstances.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” she replied. “You were able to race back to Hawthorne House to inform my brother about the abduction, which saved us a considerable amount of time in explanations when we returned.”

“That is true, but…” His words trailed off. “I should never have let you go with that man, Jane. It has been weighing heavily on my mind.”

Jane took a step closer to him. “I do not fault you for doing so. You must know that.”

“Why are you so kind to me?” he asked.

“Because we were both threatened in Hyde Park, and we both made it out alive,” she pressed. “That has to count for something.”

Percy smiled at her. “You are truly a remarkable woman.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

“If you aren’t previously engaged, would you care to go on a carriage ride with me?”

She shook her head. “Unfortunately, I am unable to,” she replied. “My brother has asked me to remain at Hawthorne House for the foreseeable future.”

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