Page 120 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“No, of course it doesn’t.”

Jane brought her gaze back up. “I just don’t understand why he won’t even entertain the thought of a future between us. I know I could make him happy.”

“I would imagine Lord Evan is struggling right now, with his father being gravely ill,” Madalene remarked.

“I don’t believe that’s what is holding him back.”

“Why do you say that?”

“His eyes hold secrets,” Jane replied.

“Secrets?” Madalene asked. “What kind of secrets would the second son of a duke have?”

“I don’t know, but there is so much more to Lord Evan than what he portrays,” Jane said. “I can feel it.”

Madalene frowned. “Are you going to start following Lord Evan like you did Oliver?”

“It was different with Oliver,” Jane defended. “I saw him in the rookeries, and I decided to follow him.”

“And you could have been killed.”

“But I wasn’t,” Jane pressed. “Lord Evan saved me, just as he saved me in Hyde Park.”

“You were most fortunate.”

“I was,” Jane admitted. “But in both cases, the reasons he gave for being there were rather ambiguous.”

“Why do you suppose that was?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but I intend to find out.”

“How do you intend to do that?”

Jane bit her lower lip. “I have no idea at the moment,” she admitted.

“It might be best if you learn to accept that some things are out of your control.”

“Meaning?”

“Why does it matter how Lord Evan spends his time?” Madalene asked. “It’s not as if you two have an understanding.”

“That’s true, but we are friends.”

Madalene cast her an exasperated look. “Not if you try to pry into his business.”

“You make a valid point.” Jane blew out a puff of air. “I suppose I am just bored, since Baldwin has ordered me to remain at Hawthorne House.”

“That is for your own safety.”

“I am well aware.”

“We could walk in the gardens after I return from the orphanage,” Madalene suggested.

“That does sound more appealing than spending all afternoon on my needlework in the drawing room.”

Rising, Madalene said, “Then I shall be looking forward to it.”

“Thank you for cheering me up.”

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