Page 115 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“That sounds like quite the adventure.”

“It was, but I fear it will only get worse from here, especially if Kerley is truly involved.”

Baldwin smirked. “Then we should get to work.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

The next morning,Corbyn sat in his study as he waited for Baldwin and Stewart to arrive. He was attempting yet again to read through his never-ending pile of correspondence, but his mind kept straying to the hurt look on Jane’s face from the night before. It was like a piercing dagger to his heart. But it mattered not. She deserved someone better than him, someone who could be completely honest with her.

Corbyn knew it had taken great courage on her part to confess her feelings to him, and he greatly admired her for that. He also couldn’t help but remember how perfectly she fit into his arms when they’d danced at the ball. How could he have not fallen for such a lovely creature? She was everything he had ever envisioned in a wife, and much, much more. However, his life was not conducive to having a wife. That was the simple truth.

So why couldn’t he stop thinking about Jane? Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her enchanting face, or he heard her voice in his head at the most inopportune times.

He slammed his fist onto his desk. “Blazes,” he muttered.

Baldwin’s amused voice came from the doorway. “Is this a bad time?”

Bringing his gaze up, Corbyn replied, “No, do come in.”

“May I ask what has you so preoccupied?” Baldwin asked as he stepped further into the room.

“It’s this case,” he lied.

Baldwin eyed him curiously. “I haven’t known you to become emotional about a case before,” he said as he placed his hand on the back of a chair.

“Emotions can get you killed.”

“Precisely my point.”

Corbyn shot him an annoyed look. “I do not wish to be scrutinized by you.”

“It is merely an observation.”

Frowning, Corbyn replied, “I would prefer it if you would focus on the case.”

“I can do both,” Baldwin said. “Besides, I can’t help but wonder if you are distracted by my sister.”

Corbyn tensed at his friend’s remark.

Baldwin chuckled. “I would be blind if I didn’t notice the growing attraction between you and Jane.”

“Nothing untoward is going on between us, if you must know.”

“I believe you, but I can’t help but wonder, why?”

“Pardon?” Corbyn hadn’t expected that.

Baldwin looked at him knowingly. “You deserve to be happy, Corbyn.”

“No, I don’t,” he replied. “Besides, I couldn’t give Jane the life she deserves.”

“Why do you say that?”

Corbyn huffed. “I run an agency that doesn’t technically exist,” he stated. “My entire existence is based upon a lie.”

“You could always tell Jane the truth.”

“That is impossible,” Corbyn said with a shake of his head.

---