Page 99 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“I assure you that I considered it most thoughtfully.”

Baldwin spoke up from the head of the table. “What’s done is done,” he said, lowering the morning newspaper in his hands. “There is no reason to fret about it now.”

“I worry that Jane is being too picky in selecting a suitor,” his mother stated. “I just don’t want her to end up as a spinster.”

“Being a spinster isn’t the worst thing,” Baldwin remarked.

His mother removed the napkin from her lap and placed it on the table. “A marriage brings forth security,” she asserted.

“Or a myriad of new problems,” Jane argued.

Baldwin smirked. “Jane does bring up a valid argument.”

“I just want you to have what your father and I had,” their mother said. “We loved each other and were fiercely devoted to one another.”

“I want that, as well,” Jane responded, “but it won’t be with Lord Brinton.”

“May I ask what you objected to? Was his title not lofty enough for you?”

“Heavens, no—”

Speaking over her, her mother pressed, “Was he not handsome enough for you?”

“That had nothing to do with my decision.”

Her mother frowned. “You truly could not grow to love him?”

Jane shook her head. “Lord Brinton is undoubtedly handsome, and any young woman would be lucky to have him.”

“But?”

“But he isn’t the right man for me.”

Her mother leaned back in her chair and didn’t speak for a long moment. Finally, she said, “I was hoping to see you settled down with children before I die.”

“Fortunately, I have an ample amount of time before that happens,” Jane remarked, smiling.

Her mother’s face grew solemn. “The doctor informed me that my heart is getting weaker each day.”

“When was this?” Baldwin asked, suddenly alert.

“I met with him yesterday,” their mother replied. “I informed you that I went shopping, but it was just an excuse to meet with the doctor privately.”

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” Jane asked.

Their mother offered them a sad smile. “I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily.”

“Unnecessarily?” Baldwin repeated. “You should have told us at once!”

“Nothing can be done about it,” she said.

Baldwin reached for his mother’s hand. “We shall seek out the best doctors for your care,” he asserted. “With any luck, you will live another fifty years.”

“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” she asked. “However, I don’t believe that is likely to happen.”

Jane’s eyes filled with tears. “You mustn’t give up, Mother.”

“I have no intention to,” she replied, “but you must understand that I have already led a full, rich life.”

---