Page 114 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“It matters not what I feel.”

“It doesn’t?”

Corbyn sighed. “Nothing can ever happen between us.”

“Why must that be?”

Corbyn ran a hand through his hair as he attempted to formulate his response. “I care for you, Jane, more than I should,” he admitted.

A smile came to her lips. “That’s wonderful news.”

“It isn’t, because I can never act on my feelings.”

Her eyes were full of questions. “But if you care for me, and I care for you, then—”

He spoke over her. “It’s not that simple.”

“No?”

Taking another step closer, he gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “There is no future between you and me,” he asserted. “You must understand that.”

“I don’t accept that,” she said, her eyes pleading with him.

“Regardless, I cannot give you the life you deserve.”

“If this is because you are the second son, I don’t care about that,” she remarked firmly. “I just want to be with you.”

Corbyn felt his defenses weakening as he remained close to her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and claim her as his own. But he couldn’t do that to her. It wouldn’t be fair, because he would have to eventually let her go.

Dropping his hands to his sides, he said curtly, “I’m sorry, but I can’t be with you. You must accept that.”

Tears came to her eyes as she stared up at him, but she blinked them back vehemently. He could tell that she was trying to be brave. “I understand,” she murmured. “Please excuse me.”

Jane brushed past him and hurried out of the room. He felt terrible about his callous treatment of her, but he had no choice. He knew he couldn’t give her the life that she needed, that she deserved.

Corbyn stared at the empty doorway for a moment until Baldwin appeared in it. He gave Corbyn a questioning look. “Do you want to explain to me why my sister just ran from this room in tears?”

“I do not.”

“Corbyn—”

“I don’t care to discuss it.”

Baldwin stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “Then perhaps you should explain why you are here.”

“I want you to come out of retirement and assist me on this case.”

“You do?”

“I need someone I can completely trust to help with this assignment,” Corbyn said.

Baldwin nodded. “It would be my privilege.”

“Good,” Corbyn replied. “I should note that we found Sanders.”

“You did?”

“He was tied up in a building in the rookeries that was rigged with explosives,” Corbyn revealed.

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