Page 79 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“I do,” Jane replied, seeing no reason to deny it, “but it matters not.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He doesn’t return my feelings.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Jane pressed her lips together. “He has never shown me any favor.”

“That must be rather irksome for someone like you,” Susan remarked in an amused tone.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because men generally fall at your feet.”

Frowning, Jane replied, “That is not true.”

“No?” Susan pressed, giving her a knowing look.

“I suppose there is some truth to your statement,” Jane murmured reluctantly.

Susan shifted in her seat to face Jane. “Lord Brinton seems to be taken with you.”

“He is,” she replied. “He intends to court me.”

“You never told me that,” Susan said. “What did you say?”

“I have turned him down, multiple times.”

Susan lifted her brow. “May I ask why?” she asked. “After all, he is an earl, and quite handsome, as well.”

“I don’t love him.”

“Could you love him?”

“I don’t think I could,” Jane replied with a shake of her head.

“Then you were right to turn down his offers of courtship, especially since you have feelings for Lord Evan.”

“Which is maddening,” Jane admitted, rising. “Lord Evan will never return my affection.”

“You don’t know that.”

Jane smoothed down her dark blue riding habit. “Perhaps after my ride I will be able to think more clearly on the subject.”

“Ignoring something won’t make it go away,” Susan counseled.

“I can’t keep dwelling on Lord Evan,” Jane said firmly. She didn’t care to admit that he had been occupying her thoughts constantly.

Susan rose from her seat. “Go enjoy your ride,” she encouraged, “but I would like to revisit this conversation again.”

Jane smiled at her lady’s maid, who had become a dear friend to her over the years. “I assumed as much.”

Jane headed towards the entry hall. She had just started to descend the stairs when she heard someone knocking.

Pratt opened the door, and Lord Evan stepped inside.

“Lord Evan,” she greeted as she stepped onto the marble floor. “It is good to see you again.”

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