Page 74 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“How fortunate,” Lord Brinton said, his voice growing emotional as he faced Jane. “I have never been so scared as when I saw that man pointing a pistol at you. After you were abducted, I rushed back to Hawthorne House to inform your brother of what had happened.

“I was just about to depart for Hyde Park when Corbyn’s coach pulled up,” Baldwin added.

Jane gave him a curious look. “May I ask why you didn’t seek out a constable straight away?”

“I’m afraid I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Lord Brinton said. “Please forgive me.”

With a slight hesitation in her voice, she replied, “You are forgiven.”

Lord Brinton took a step closer to Jane, his eyes never straying from hers. “Now that I have seen you are alive and well, I can rest much easier.”

Jane smiled at him, and it felt like a stab to Corbyn’s heart. “As you can see, I am no worse for wear,” she responded reassuringly.

“So it seems,” Lord Brinton replied, smiling in return. “Perhaps I can call on you tomorrow?”

“I would be delighted,” Jane said.

Lord Brinton smiled. “Then tomorrow it is.” He nodded to Baldwin and Corbyn. “Good day, gentlemen.”

After Lord Brinton departed, Baldwin turned towards his sister, his eyes alert. “Did your abductor say anything to you?”

Jane met his gaze. “The only thing he said was that he had his reasons for abducting me.”

“Which were?” Baldwin pressed.

“He didn’t say.”

Baldwin frowned. “This is all very disconcerting.”

The dowager marchioness stepped back into the entry hall and announced, “Your bath is being prepared, my dear.”

Jane perked up. “Wonderful.”

“I’ll escort you up to your bedchamber,” the dowager marchioness said.

“Did you kill the abductor?” Baldwin asked in a low voice as they watched the ladies walk up the stairs.

“I did not,” Corbyn replied just as quietly. “He ran away when we confronted him, and the Bow Street Runner chased after him. With any luck, he is in prison now.”

“I hope so,” Baldwin said, his jaw locked. “I do not take kindly to someone trying to hurt my sister.”

“Neither do I.”

Baldwin turned to face him. “Do you have any idea as to why someone wished to abduct Jane?”

“I do not.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“But it can’t be a coincidence.”

“I would agree with you.”

Corbyn ran a hand through his brown hair. “I will get to the bottom of this.”

Baldwin tipped his head. “See that you do.”

“I trust that you will keep Jane safe as I investigate this mess.”

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