Page 43 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“No?”

“They are more interested in my dowry or seek favor with my brother.”

“You underestimate yourself.”

She looked at him with questions in her eyes. “Why do you say that?”

“You are a remarkably beautiful woman, one that outshines nearly every other woman in the room.”

“You think I’m beautiful?” she asked softly.

“I would be a fool not to.”

She offered him a shy smile. “Thank you.”

“It is merely the truth.”

“But I know your words to be genuine,” she replied, “and that means a great deal to me.”

“I am pleased to hear that.”

They continued to stare at one another, but the moment ended when the music came to a stop. Corbyn stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides. “Allow me to escort you back to your mother.”

“I would appreciate that.”

He offered his arm. “Thank you for dancing with me.”

“I daresay that you have become my favorite dance partner, Lord Evan.”

“Is that so?”

She nodded. “You didn’t step on my toes once.”

“Ah,” he replied, amused. “I see that you have high standards, then.”

“That I do.”

After he returned Jane to her mother, Corbyn stepped out on the veranda. He had done his duty to his family and danced one set. Now it was time to get back to work.

So why did the thought of lingering with Jane seem so appealing?

The morning fogfilled the empty streets as Corbyn headed towards his office. He was up most of the night working, but he did manage to catch a few hours of sleep. There was just too much on his mind.

He was trying to piece together who wanted him and Hannity dead. It had been years since he and Hannity had worked together. So why did the culprit attack now? Did it have anything to do with what Hannity was working on? He couldn’t answer either question with any type of certainty. Frankly, he had nothing to go on other than the tip from Miss Polly, and even that was vague and ambiguous.

As he approached his building, he heard someone let out a bird call, but he wasn’t in the mood to announce his presence. He continued on and watched as Harvey stepped out from the alleyway with his pistol drawn.

“I could have killed you, Boss,” Harvey said, lowering his pistol.

“It was a chance I was willing to take.”

“I don’t understand why you refuse to make a bird call.”

“Because it is not worth my time,” he replied gruffly. “If you don’t recognize me by now, then I will have to seriously consider dismissing you.”

Harvey gave him a curious look as he tucked the pistol into the waistband of his trousers. “You seem rather agitated this morning.”

“I didn’t sleep well last night,” he admitted, stopping at the door. “Will there be anything else, Agent?”

---