Page 17 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“Have you received counterfeit bills as payment?”

“Not that I am aware of, but it is generally the pound or two-pound notes that are forged,” she replied. “And most of our clientele don’t have that type of money to spare.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Corbyn remarked. “Hannity wasn’t working a case that involved counterfeiting.”

“Perhaps he had a lead that you weren’t aware of.”

“I suppose that is true,” he said, momentarily retreating to his own thoughts.

Miss Polly reached for his hand. “How are you handling Hannity’s loss?”

“I’m fine,” he said, glancing down at their hands.

“Are you?”

Corbyn frowned. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

“Because I know you and Hannity were friends.”

“That is true, but we both knew the risks associated with our jobs,” he said. “Frankly, I am surprised that I am still alive after all this time.”

Miss Polly squeezed his hand. “It is acceptable to mourn the loss of a friend.”

“I’m afraid that I don’t have time to mourn his loss.”

“Why is that?”

Corbyn slipped his hand out from hers and rose. “I have to track down Hannity’s murderer, and discover why the blazes he was asking about forged banknotes.”

Miss Polly’s eyes held a hint of pity. “You are emotional.”

“I am not,” he replied. “Emotions get you killed.”

“I don’t pretend to know what your job is, but I must assume it is rather important,” Miss Polly said.

“It is.”

Rising, Miss Polly stood in front of him. “Promise me that you will be careful, Bryan.”

“I can’t promise that.”

“Why not?”

“Because being careful does not solve cases.”

Miss Polly pressed her lips together. “You have always been infuriating.”

He chuckled. “I won’t disagree with that.”

“Well, I have always enjoyed our chats,” Miss Polly said, “and I would hate for them to come to an end.”

“They won’t.”

“I am pleased to hear that,” Miss Polly remarked, smiling. “One of the girls did mention that one of her clients let it slip that he was attending radical meetings at The Gutted Fish.”

“That isn’t far from here.”

“No, it isn’t.”

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