Page 119 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

Madalene walked closer to the bed. “You missed breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Are you ill?”

“No.”

Madalene eyed her curiously. “Whatever is the matter?”

“Why do you suppose something is wrong?”

“Because you are not one to miss breakfast.”

Jane sat up in bed and rested her back against the wall. “I’m afraid I am out of sorts today.”

“Is there a particular reason why?” Madalene asked.

“No,” she lied.

“Does this have something to do with how you ran out of the drawing room in tears last night after speaking to Lord Evan?”

A surprised look came to her face. “How did you know?”

“Baldwin told me,” Madalene admitted.

Jane knew her sister-in-law would pester her with questions until she revealed what was bothering her, so she might as well reveal the truth. “I spoke to Lord Evan, and I confessed my affection for him,” she shared.

“I see,” Madalene replied. “I take it that it wasn’t received very well.”

“It was not.”

Madalene came to sit down on the bed. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“He informed me that he cared for me, but there could be no future between us,” Jane shared.

“Did he give any indication as to why?”

Jane shook her head. “He did not.”

“Perhaps he will come around.”

“I don’t believe that to be the case,” Jane said as she played with the fringe on her blanket. “He was quite adamant about it.”

“It might be for the best,” Madalene attempted.

“Why do you say that?”

“You deserve someone who will love you with his whole heart and will fight to have you in his life.”

“I suppose you’re right,” she murmured.

“I know I’m right.”

Jane let out a sigh. “It’s just different when I’m with Lord Evan.”

“In what way?”

“When he looks at me, I feel as if he is looking into my very soul, and he sees me for who I truly am,” she said, lowering her gaze. “I know it sounds silly.”

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