Page 138 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t regret that choice,” Lord Evan said. “We saw you were slashed and shot and assumed you were dead.”

“You were wrong!” Kerley exclaimed. “You left me!”

Lord Evan took a step closer and lowered his pistol. “I know, and I was wrong. But you must allow me to make this up to you.”

“How could you possibly do that?”

“I don’t know, but we could come up with a solution together.”

Kerley took a small step back, his heels hanging over the edge of the roof. “It’s too late for me. I’m a dead man, one way or another.”

“I refuse to accept that.”

“After everything I did, you’d still help me?” Kerley asked skeptically. “Why?”

Lord Evan tucked his pistol into the waistband of his trousers. “You and I were friends once, and I failed you,” he said. “I won’t fail you again. I promise.”

Kerley laughed loudly. “All I did in that French cell was plot my revenge, and now you’re asking for my forgiveness?” He brought his pistol up. “I should kill you.”

“I won’t stop you,” Lord Evan said resignedly. “We both know I deserve it.”

Kerley stared at him for a long moment, indecision crossing his face. “You would just let me shoot you?”

“I would.”

A smirk came to his face. “You are an even bigger fool than I thought.”

Knowing she couldn’t stand by and watch Corbyn being shot, Jane raised her muff pistol and shot at Kerley, hitting him in the center of the chest. Kerley looked at her in surprise as he stumbled backwards and fell off the building.

Lord Evan rushed over to the edge of the roof and looked down towards the street. After a moment, he turned solemnly towards Jane. “Don’t come any closer,” he ordered. “This is not something you should see.”

She nodded her head in response, unsure of what she should say at this moment.

“Jane,” Lord Evan said as he came towards her, “are you all right?”

“I am,” she replied, pleased that she’d found her voice.

“Did he hurt you in any way?”

She shook her head. “He did not.”

Lord Evan was clearly relieved. “I’m happy to hear that,” he said, stopping in front of her. “But I am sorry that you were forced to kill Kerley.”

“I couldn’t just stand by and let him shoot you.”

“You saved my life, Jane.”

A playful smile came to her lips. “I think it was only fair, since you have saved me on multiple occasions.”

The sound of pounding boots was heard before Baldwin and Oliver appeared at the top of the steps.

They both ran to Jane and firmly embraced her. “So, you both are spies?” she asked after they stepped back.

Baldwin and Oliver turned stunned expressions towards Lord Evan.

Lord Evan put his hands up in front of him. “I didn’t tell her,” he defended. “Kerley did.”

“We can explain,” the brothers said in unison.

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