Page 109 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“That’s not a surprise,” Corbyn said. “Most of my agents have been asking questions.”

“Yes, but the word on the street is that this man was abducted and is being held at a building deep within the rookeries,” Stewart revealed. “If it’s true, it might be one of your agents.”

“Do you know where this building is?”

“I do.”

“Let’s go, then,” Corbyn said, shoving his chair back. He came around his desk and opened the door. “I’ll go first, or you may be shot on the way out.”

“By all means, please lead the way.”

Corbyn headed down the hall, tipping his head at the agent standing guard at the door, who did a terrible job of hiding his bewilderment at seeing Stewart. As he exited the building, Corbyn turned towards Hobbs and Bond, who were guarding the main entry.

“Just so you are aware, a Bow Street Runner bested you today,” Corbyn revealed.

“How?” Hobbs asked, glancing between them.

Gesturing towards Stewart, Corbyn shared, “He slipped past you and approached my window without being detected.”

“Are we dismissed?” Bond asked nervously.

Corbyn shook his head. “No, but it better not happen again, or we will be having a very different discussion.”

“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.

Hobbs stepped forward. “Would you like me to hail you a hackney?”

“That would be nice.”

Once a hackney was secured, Corbyn and Stewart stepped inside the cramped coach and sat opposite one another.

“I must admit that you have pleasantly surprised me,” Corbyn said. “It is an impressive feat to sneak past two of my agents.”

“As I said before, not all Bow Street Runners are incompetent,” Stewart replied.

“I am starting to believe that.”

Stewart chuckled. “That is high praise coming from someone like you.”

“May I ask how long you have been a Bow Street Runner?”

“About eight years,” Stewart replied.

“Do you enjoy working as one?”

A pained look came to Stewart’s face. “That is a ticklish question since at times I wished I had taken another path.”

“Such as?”

Stewart smirked. “Why do I feel as if you are interrogating me?”

“I am doing no such thing,” Corbyn replied. “I was just merely curious.”

Stewart shifted in his seat. “If you must know, I hadn’t planned on becoming a Bow Street Runner, but it happened rather suddenly.”

“Well, for what it is worth, I believe you are proficient at your job,” Corbyn said.

“Thank you for that.” Stewart grew serious. “Do you ever tire of killing people?”

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