Page 42 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

A line appeared in her brow. “Am I?”

Corbyn gave her a knowing look. “You are.”

He felt her take a deep breath and relax in his arms. Then she asked, “Is that better?”

“It is.”

As he started to lead her to the music, he inquired, “Are you enjoying yourself this evening?”

“I am,” she replied. “Are you?”

“I’m starting to.” He smiled.

Jane averted her gaze from his. “I couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t danced before now,” she said. “Why is that?”

“Were you spying on me?” he asked.

“Of course not,” she rushed out. “I just noticed that you…” Her voice trailed off as he detected a hint of a blush. Which, for some reason, pleased him greatly.

He decided to take pity on her and said, “I’m just teasing you, Lady Jane.”

“Oh, I should have known,” she murmured.

“But to answer your question…” he hesitated, “I do not like to dance.”

She tilted her head. “Why is that?” she asked. “You are a wonderful dance partner.”

“I appreciate that, but I detest social gatherings.”

A smile came to her lips. “I must agree with you there,” she replied. “I would prefer to be at home, reading a good book in the library.”

“I would rather be working, above all else,” he shared honestly.

Jane glanced over her shoulder at her mother before saying, “My mother truly wants me to marry this Season.”

“And do you?”

“Want to marry?” She paused. “I suppose, at some point.”

“You don’t sound very convincing,” he joked.

Jane pressed her lips together. “I will only marry for love.”

“I am happy to hear it,” he said, “because you deserve that.”

“But I am not foolish enough to believe I will fall in love with a man of my choosing and he will feel the same.”

He watched her curiously. “Why is that?”

She grew silent for a long moment. “What if I want what I cannot have?” she asked, her eyes searching his.

Unsure of her meaning, he replied, “I can’t answer that. But I do hope you find happiness in this life.”

“That is kind of you to say.”

Corbyn tightened his hold on her waist, enjoying the fact that Jane was in his arms. “I have no doubt that you have a plethora of gentlemen vying for your attention.”

“Most of their actions aren’t genuine.”

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