Page 57 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“Again?” Lord Brinton repeated in surprise.

Her lips twitched. “He came earlier, and Oliver promptly removed him from Hawthorne House.”

“Oliver removed him?”

“Yes, quite forcefully.”

Lord Brinton gave her a puzzled look. “But he came back?”

“Yes, he wanted to apologize for his sudden departure and asked if I wanted to take a carriage ride through Hyde Park.”

“What did you say?”

“I told him no.”

Lord Brinton nodded his head in approval. “I don’t think any good would come from you associating with Mr. Haskett.”

“I would agree with you there.” She gestured towards a chair. “Please have a seat, Percy.”

“I am surprised to find you alone,” Percy said after they were both situated.

“And why is that?”

“Because I’d just assumed your legion of admirers would be paying court to you,” he stated with a smile.

She laughed. “Hardly.”

With a glance at the window, he asked, “Would you care to take a turn around the gardens with me?”

“I would,” she said, rising.

Percy stood and offered his arm. “May I ask where your mother is?”

“She went shopping on Bond Street.”

“You didn’t go with her?”

Jane shook her head as they walked towards the rear of the townhouse. “I wanted to stay home and read.”

“How scandalous of you,” he teased.

“I think not,” she replied. “Reading is an acceptable pastime for women of my station.”

“Yes, but the more you read, the more you start getting ideas of grandeur,” he said, feigning outrage. “Soon you will be trying to run the government.”

“Wouldn’t that be grand?”

Percy chuckled. “I daresay that’s not likely to happen.”

“Agreed.”

A liveried footman opened the rear door and discreetly followed them onto the veranda.

As they started walking along the footpath, Percy cleared his throat. “There is something that I wish to discuss with you.”

“It sounds serious,” she remarked lightly, glancing over at him.

“I’m afraid it is.”

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