Page 128 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“Corbyn,” Kerley replied. “He was the lead agent on the assignment, and he was the one who decided to leave me behind.”

“That doesn’t sound like Corbyn.”

A hard look came to Kerley’s eyes. “I learned the hard way that Corbyn only ever cared about himself.”

“Corbyn wouldn’t have left you to die,” Jane asserted.

“But he did,” Kerley replied as he rose from his crouched position. “Our mission was to break into a building for information on French troop locations, but it didn’t go as planned.”

“What do you mean?”

“A French guard caught Hannity as he was exiting the building and sounded the alarm.”

“Who’s Hannity?”

“He was one of the agents who came with us,” Kerley explained. “Baldwin, Corbyn, and I were the other three that went along, but we had all managed to leave the building undetected.”

“Baldwin was with you?”

Kerley nodded. “Yes,” he replied. “Baldwin is a formidable agent, as well. Or, at least, he was. I heard he spends the majority of his time at the House of Lords now.”

“I can scarcely believe it.”

“Regardless, it is true.”

“If Hannity was the one caught, why wasn’t he the one left behind?”

Kerley’s jaw tensed. “Because it is our sacred code not to leave anyone behind,” he stated. “I covered Hannity with my pistol as he ran to safety, but I failed to see a French soldier approach me from behind.”

Jane remained quiet, unsure of what to say.

“He swiped me with his bayonet, leaving this terrible scar along my face, and then shot me in the chest,” he revealed. “I don’t remember much more of that night, but I awoke in a French prison.”

“How dreadful,” she muttered.

“I was starved, beaten, and lived in a dank cell until I found the courage and means to escape,” Kerley said.

Jane gave him a look filled with compassion. “I am sorry you were forced to endure those horrid conditions.”

“That only made my resolution stronger,” he pressed. “Corbyn must die.”

She gasped. “You mustn’t!”

“I know you care for him, but he is a monster who needs to be stopped.”

“Please don’t hurt him,” she pleaded.

Kerley moved to the doorway. “You must trust that I am doing right by you,” he said. “In due time, Corbyn would have betrayed you, as well.”

“I don’t believe that to be true.”

“I’m afraid it is,” he replied. “Corbyn has, and forever will, only care for himself. He is a scourge to society, and I must rid it of him.”

“You are wrong,” Jane asserted. “He is a kind, loving man behind a gruff exterior.”

With a look that could only be interpreted as pity, Kerley watched her. “You are a foolish girl who has been tricked by a handsome face.”

“If what you’re saying is true, why would Corbyn come for me and put his life in jeopardy?” she asked. “He wouldn’t.”

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