Page 8 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

Chapter Two

After only afew hours of sleep, Corbyn walked towards Hawthorne House. He was dreading the upcoming conversation with Lord Hawthorne. Hannity had worked many assignments with them in the past, and Corbyn wanted to be the one to inform Baldwin of his death.

He had learned long ago that it wasn’t wise to form attachments with others, especially with agents. It made you vulnerable, and he refused to be vulnerable with anyone. He didn’t have that luxury. If he made a mistake, then people could die.Hecould die. It was a risk he was not willing to take.

However, the sting of Hannity’s death hadn’t gone away yet. Frankly, he wasn’t entirely sure if it would. He had considered Hannity a friend, and he’d trusted him with his life. They had gone on many assignments together, including the one in France. The one that had drastically changed him into a hardened man. They had made many mistakes on that assignment, resulting in one of their own agents being killed.

Corbyn walked alongside the high, black iron fence that surrounded Hawthorne House and admired the rectangular building and its two protruding wings.

“Good morning, milord,” a guard greeted him, moving to unlock the gate to Hawthorne House.

“Good morning,” he replied.

The guard opened the gate wide, and Corbyn stepped through. He walked across the cobblestone courtyard and approached the main door.

After knocking on the door, he stepped back and waited. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait for too long.

Pratt greeted him with his usual stiff smile. “Good morning, Lord Evan,” he said, opening the door wide. “Please come in.”

Corbyn stepped into the expansive entry hall. “Is Lord Hawthorne available for callers this morning?”

“He is,” the butler confirmed. “He is in the study. Would you care for me to announce you?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

As he crossed the entry hall, he saw Lady Jane descending the stairs, dressed in a pale blue gown, which complemented her shapely figure nicely. Her brown hair was pulled back at her neck and small curls framed her face. She was a remarkably beautiful young woman with her fair skin, oval face, and full lips. But there was something in her eyes that had always intrigued him. They were expressive and, from the first day they met, they spoke to him, revealing her wit and intellect.

“Lord Evan,” she said politely. “What a pleasant surprise.”

He stopped and offered a slight bow. “Lady Jane. How are you this morning?”

“I am well.” She stepped off the last stair and approached him. “I assume you are here to see my brother.”

“I am.”

“He has been in his study nearly all morning,” she revealed.

“Is that so?”

Jane smiled, transforming her lovely face into something extraordinary. “I believe it has something to do with the upcoming vote in the House of Lords.”

Corbyn kept his face expressionless as he remarked, “I would imagine that to be the case.”

“Do you intend on attending Lady Charlotte’s soirée this evening?”

“Unfortunately, I have other plans.”

Jane glanced over her shoulder before confessing, “I must admit that I envy you.”

“You do?”

“My mother insists that I attend all these social events until I have secured a match,” she shared. “It can be rather exhausting.”

“I would imagine that would be the case.” He had to admit that the thought of Lady Jane finding a match did not sit well with him.

“If I am being truthful, I would rather remain at home, reading a good book.”

“Is that so?”

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