A Dangerous Pursuit (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 1), Laura Beers [romantic books to read TXT] 📗

as they blocked her path to the door. “Come join us for a cup of coffee.”

“No, thank you,” was the young woman’s reply.

“What is your name?”

The young woman stiffened. “That is none of your concern.”

“Leave her be,” Sarah ordered firmly.

The men dismissed Sarah’s comment and continued to pester the young woman with unwelcome questions.

Baldwin rose from his chair, knowing it was his duty as a gentleman to help a woman in need. He walked over to the group of men, shoved past them and reached for the young woman’s arm. “Allow me to escort you to your coach,” he said.

One of the men blocked his path. “Maybe this woman doesn’t want to go with you.”

Baldwin met the man’s gaze, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “It is time for this lady to leave, and I intend to ensure she is met with no harm.” His words brooked no argument.

The man’s eyes flickered with fear as he moved to the side. “That is good of you, Mister.”

Baldwin addressed the young woman when he asked, “Is your coach outside?”

“It is,” she replied.

He acknowledged her words with a nod as he started leading her towards the door. As they stepped outside, he saw a black coach waiting on the street. A footman jumped off his perch when he saw the young woman and went to put the step down.

Baldwin dropped his hand from her arm as they came to a stop in front of the coach. “Get in the coach and never come back,” he barked.

The young woman’s lips twitched downward, but her words were cordial, reiterating to him that she was a genteel woman. “I would like to thank you for escorting me—”

Baldwin cut her off. “Save your words.”

“I beg your pardon?”

He took a step closer to her, and the young woman looked up at him in surprise. “Women are not allowed in coffeehouses,” he stated. “Reputations have been ruined for less.”

“I am aware of that, but I needed to speak to someone renting a room upstairs. I assure you that the matter was of the utmost importance.”

“Why didn’t you send a footman in to do your bidding?”

Uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “I wanted to be discreet.”

“Discreet?” he questioned. “The very presence of a woman in a coffeehouse caused a stir amongst the patrons.”

“I had not realized my presence would cause such a disturbance.”

“Then you are a fool.”

The young woman’s lips parted in disbelief, making it evident that she was not used to being treated in such a fashion. “That is rather ungentlemanly of you to say.”

Baldwin let out a dry chuckle. “I never claimed to be a gentleman.”

“Your actions prove otherwise,” the young woman challenged.

Realizing that they were drawing the attention of the people on the street, he held out his hand and said, “Allow me to assist you into your coach before anyone recognizes you.”

The young woman reluctantly placed her hand in his and stepped into the coach. Once she was situated, she slipped her hand out of his.

“Thank you—” Her words were barely out of her mouth as he closed the door of the coach.

Baldwin watched as the coach drove away from the coffeehouse, finding himself immensely relieved that he would never have to see that infuriating young woman again.

Chapter Four

The morning sun streamed through the window as Baldwin sat in his chair and perused the ledgers on his desk. His brother had done a fine job of ensuring all their investments had grown over the years. When Baldwin left for his mission, Oliver had balked at the responsibility that had been handed him, but Baldwin had faith that he would rise to the challenge. And he had been correct.

Oliver had increased their holdings by buying up the parcels of land surrounding their country estate in Sussex.

“Well done, Brother,” Baldwin muttered to himself as he closed one of the ledgers and reached for another. Perhaps he should leave his brother in charge more often.

As if on cue, Oliver walked into the study with his cravat untied, the top buttons of his waistcoat undone, and his hair tousled about.

“What has you up so early?” his brother asked with a yawn.

“I wanted to get a start on reviewing the ledgers,” Baldwin lied. He didn’t want to tell his brother that he hardly slept anymore. He couldn’t. Images would come to his mind, images that he wanted to forget.

Oliver sat down in the chair in front of the desk, his eyes red. “May I ask why?”

“I thought I should become reacquainted with the finances. Although, I must admit that you’ve done an admirable job with them.”

With a smirk, Oliver admitted, “It wasn’t me.”

“No?” Baldwin asked. “Then who was it? Our man of business, Mr. Owen, or one of our solicitors?”

“It was Jane.”

Baldwin lifted his brow. “Jane?” he asked. “She did all of this?”

Oliver nodded. “Our sister is quite clever when it comes to managing the properties and balancing the ledgers.”

“You don’t say,” Baldwin replied, wiping a hand over his mouth. “I had no idea.”

“I hadn’t, either, but she saw me struggling with the ledgers one night and offered to take a look,” Oliver shared. “After that, she just sort of took over and started working with our man of business.”

“And Mr. Owen worked with her willingly?”

“Once he saw Jane’s vision, and how much money was to be made by her, he came around.”

“For which I am immensely grateful.” Baldwin paused, perusing his brother’s haggard appearance. “I must say that you look awful.”

Frowning, Oliver said, “That was not a very nice thing to say to your favorite brother.”

“I am only speaking the truth,” Baldwin replied. “Were you out all night?”

“I was. I went to the gambling halls.”

“Is that where you went after dinner?”

Oliver nodded. “I spend nearly every night out. Sometimes I am at the gambling halls, and other times I am at social gatherings, balls or soirées.”

“Since when did you start enjoying social events?”

Crossing his arms over his wide chest, his brother said, “I don’t, but Corbyn tasked me