Page 118 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“I’d be happy to,” Brooks replied.

Baldwin turned his attention towards Corbyn. “I’ll meet you in there,” he said.

“Be safe,” Corbyn urged.

Baldwin smirked. “Aren’t I always?”

“No, you aren’t,” Corbyn joked. “Hence my reminder to be safe.”

After Baldwin and Brooks walked off, Corbyn glanced over at Stewart. “Let’s head to the main entrance.”

They cautiously approached the building, pistols drawn. Corbyn’s alert eyes scanned the windows, looking for any sign of movement on the inside.

He stopped outside of the main door and whispered, “I’ll go first.”

“I’m right behind you.”

“That isn’t wise.”

“I am well aware of the risks.”

Corbyn gave him an approving nod as he went to open the door. He stepped inside of the building and heard nothing. It was eerily quiet.

He advanced further inside, the only sound the noise of their boots on the wood. They searched each room and found nothing that indicated this was the location for forging banknotes.

When they reached the main hall, a desk was set up in the middle of the room with a piece of paper laying on it.

Corbyn walked over to the desk and picked up the paper.

I will always be one step ahead of you.

Corbyn saw Baldwin approach him, his pistol in his right hand. “What does it say?” he asked.

“He’s taunting me now,” Corbyn shared, showing him the note.

Stewart’s eyes roamed the main hall. “I think it’s safe to say that this place is empty and doesn’t pose a threat to us.”

“Agreed,” Baldwin replied.

Corbyn crumpled the paper in his hand. “I’m tired of this cat and mouse game,” he said. “It’s time we start playing the game by my own rules.”

“How do you propose we do that?” Baldwin asked.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Corbyn replied honestly, “but I will figure something out.”

Chapter Sixteen

Jane awoke tothe sun streaming through her window and birds chirping merrily outside. She groaned as she put a pillow over her face. She’d had a fitful night of sleep because she kept replaying her conversation with Lord Evan over and over in her mind. What had she been thinking when she declared her affection for him?

He’d admitted that he held her in some regard but was adamant that there could be no future between them. Why was that? And what was holding him back?

Regardless, he didn’t care for her enough to offer for her, so she needed to accept it and move on. But why did her heart ache at the mere thought of it?

A knock came at the door, and she removed the pillow from her face. “Enter,” she ordered.

The door opened, and Madalene stepped into the room. “Good morning, Jane,” her sister-in-law greeted cheerfully.

“What’s so good about it?” she grumbled.

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