Page 145 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“You have?” Jane watched Madalene and Emmeline walk into the drawing room.

Emmeline nodded. “We have,” she replied as she closed the door. “We were hoping to speak to you.”

“What were you hoping to discuss?” Jane asked, lowering her embroidery to her lap.

Madalene sat across from her on the settee. “Baldwin and Oliver informed us that you recently discovered the truth about them.”

“I did.”

Emmeline claimed the seat next to Madalene and gave her an expectant look. “Do you have any questions for us?”

“How long have you known your husbands were spies?” Jane inquired.

Madalene’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “It was right after I was abducted by a French spy,” she revealed.

“You were abducted by a French spy?” Jane repeated in surprise.

“I was,” Madalene confirmed. “Marie intended to blow up Fieldstone Square, and she told me that Baldwin was a spy.”

Emmeline spoke up. “Oliver told me he was a spy, but I didn’t believe him until he valiantly fought off my uncle and a vicar who were intent on killing us.”

Jane shook her head in disbelief. “I had no idea.”

Emmeline smiled. “Your family has a lot of secrets; even I am not privy to all of them,” she said. “Frankly, I’m surprised you didn’t piece it together after you followed Oliver.”

“I am surprised, as well,” Jane replied. “It’s much more logical than Oliver being a rebel. Although, he plays the role of a gambler and rake very well.”

“That he does,” Emmeline agreed, “but I can assure you that it is only an act.”

Placing her embroidery on the table next to her, Jane said, “It provides me great comfort to finally know the truth of my brothers. For so long, I’ve had many lingering questions that are explained by them being agents.”

“Baldwin is technically retired,” Madalene shared, “but he is more than eager to step back into the role whenever it is required of him.”

“Which I am immensely grateful for,” Jane stated. “He helped save my life.”

Madalene exchanged a knowing look with Emmeline. “Baldwin informed me that Lord Evan intends to call on you today.”

“That’s true,” Jane confirmed.

“You should know that Baldwin and Oliver have bets on when he is going to offer for you,” Emmeline shared, smiling.

“Good heavens!” Jane exclaimed. “He hasn’t even declared his intentions yet.”

“It’s fairly obvious that he cares for you by the way he stares at you,” Madalene expressed. “It is the look of a man in love.”

“Love?” Jane repeated. “I don’t wish to presume he loves me.”

Emmeline gave her a pointed look. “Do you love him?”

Jane pressed her lips together, delaying her response. She could lie to her friends, but she didn’t want to. “Yes, I am in love with him.”

“I knew it,” Madalene declared. “When I saw you dancing with him at the ball, I knew you were smitten.”

Jane brought her finger up to her lips and shushed her. “No one else can know, especially not my mother.”

“Why not?” Madalene asked.

“I don’t want to give her any false hope that Lord Evan will offer for me,” Jane admitted. “It wouldn’t be fair of me.”

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