Page 60 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

Corbyn interjected, “And I have.”

“I would agree, and those risks have paid off, exponentially.” Lord Daniel rose and walked over to the window. “But I worry that I may have pushed you too hard.”

“I assure you that you did not.”

“The Home Secretary is pleased with the success of this agency, even though it technically does not exist.” Lord Daniel’s lips twitched. “Furthermore, the Crown has successfully prosecuted many rebels over the years due to your investigations.”

Corbyn remained quiet as he let Lord Daniel speak.

“But I’m worried about you, Corbyn.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

“All you do is work,” Lord Daniel said.

“I know what is expected of me.”

Lord Daniel crossed his arms over his chest. “We have another problem,” he stated. “A Mr. Bailey came to see me a few days ago. You may not be aware, but he is one of the shareholders at the Bank of England.”

“I see.”

“They have seen a growing number of counterfeit banknotes in the last few months, and it is growing rather worrisome.”

“Forgery is a common crime and can be a capital offense, depending on the circumstances of the crime,” Corbyn said. “Most people arrested for forgery can plea for a lesser offense.”

“They still get transported out of the country for fourteen years.”

“As well they should,” Corbyn said. “They willingly broke the law.”

“Regardless, more of these forged banknotes are making their way through the shops and back into the hands of the bank,” Lord Daniel shared. “The bank hired the Bow Street Runners—”

“That was their first mistake,” Corbyn remarked, cutting him off. “Everyone knows that Bow Street Runners are incompetent at best.”

Lord Daniel gave him a frustrated look. “Not all Bow Street Runners are incompetent.”

“Most are.”

“Your past is blinding you from reality,” Lord Daniel remarked.

Corbyn huffed. “I don’t believe that to be the case,” he contested. “I have had many run-ins with Bow Street Runners over the years, and they have always proven themselves to be utterly useless.”

Lord Daniel frowned. “Regardless, you are to meet with a Mr. Guy Stewart.”

Corbyn groan. “Mr. Stewart is a fine example of a worthless Bow Street Runner.”

“Are you acquainted with him?”

“I am,” Corbyn shared. “One of my agents unwittingly got caught in a trap that was laid by Mr. Stewart.”

“Is that so?”

Corbyn nodded. “Mr. Stewart organized a radical group and enticed a bunch of schoolboys to join. Then, he had them arrested when they attended the meeting and collected the blood money.”

“That is most unfortunate, but Mr. Stewart didn’t do anything illegal.”

“No, but it makes our job of finding radical groups that pose a true threat to the Crown that much harder.”

“I have been told that Mr. Stewart is a competent Runner by the Bow Street magistrate, and I am inclined to believe his word.” Lord Daniel gave him a pointed look. “I just want you to meet with Mr. Stewart and see if they have any leads on the case.”

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