Page 20 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

Lord Evan dropped his arms. “Not really,” he said. “Men are entitled to their secrets.”

“Even if it harms others?”

“Even then.”

Jane lifted her brow. “I disagree.”

“I am not surprised,” he said, giving her a disapproving look, “but a woman of your station should not be roaming the streets, especially unaccompanied.”

“No one saw me.”

Lord Evan stepped closer to her. “No?” he asked. “Because I saw you.”

“That is different.”

“Why?”

“You are not a busybody.”

“How do you know that to be true?” he asked with mirth in his eyes. “Did someone tell you that?”

Jane smiled. “I figured it out on my own.”

“You are exceptionally clever, Lady Jane.”

“Thank you.”

Glancing at the window, Corbyn asked, “Did you find the answers that you were seeking?”

She blew out a puff of air. “No,” she replied. “He isn’t in the main hall.”

“Perhaps that is for the best.”

“Why do you say that?”

“If Oliver wanted you to discover the truth, then he would have told you himself,” Lord Evan explained.

Lowering her voice, she asked, “What if Oliver is doing something illegal?”

“Such as?”

“I have heard that radical groups meet at public houses.”

“That may be true, but not every pub has radical ties,” Lord Evan said.

Jane frowned. “Pray tell, why would my brother go to a pub near the docks, then?”

“If you recall, I already sufficiently explained that perhaps he enjoys the ale of this establishment.” He smiled.

“I don’t believe that to be the case.”

“I have an idea,” Lord Evan said, offering his arm to her. “Why don’t I escort you back to the orphanage, and you can ask Oliver yourself when he comes home?”

“If he comes home,” she muttered.

“He will,” Lord Evan asserted.

As Jane accepted his arm, she saw two burly men step into the alley. It seemed clear that they were up to no good by the hardened looks in their eyes.

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