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

as she turned her attention back to Baldwin. “Mother mentioned that you would like to speak to me.” Her words were devoid of emotion.

“I would,” Baldwin confirmed.

Corbyn tipped his head and said, “If you will excuse me, I have a meeting that I must attend to on the other side of town.”

Jane watched Corbyn leave the room before she turned and gave Baldwin an irritated look.

“I would like to compliment you on the job that you did overlooking our investments while I was gone,” Baldwin said, picking up one of the ledgers on the desk. “You did an impressive job.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “If that will be all…” Her voice trailed off.

Baldwin stared at her for a moment. “Are you angry with me?”

Jane blinked. “Why would I be angry with you, Brother?” she asked dryly. “Could it be that I have spent the past three years wondering if you were dead or alive?”

“I know that must have been hard—”

Her mouth dropped. “Hard?” she repeated, cutting him off. “No, what was hard was hearing Mother crying down the hall because she missed her son, or watching her stare out the window, wondering if he would ever return.”

Baldwin let out a deep sigh. This is not how he intended this conversation to go. “I would like to apologize—”

Jane put her hand up, stilling his words. “Don’t you dare apologize,” she stated. “Father died, and instead of staying with your family, who needed you during our time of grief, you abandoned us.” Her voice hitched. “You willingly left us.”

“I did.”

Jane pursed her lips before asking, “Where did you go?”

“I’m afraid I can’t say,” Baldwin answered regretfully.

Taking a step closer to him, Jane met his gaze unflinchingly. “You show up after three years, with no explanation of where you have been, and you expect me to just accept your apology and move on?”

“I understand that it may take time, but I am hoping we can return to the way we used to be,” Baldwin remarked as he placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

“I used to adore you,” she said, shaking his hand off. “I would follow you around and bask in any attention you gave me. Now I can’t even stand to be around you.”

Baldwin let his hand drop, unsure of what to say. He hadn’t anticipated Jane would hold such animosity towards him.

Jane took another step closer towards him. “You will not disappoint Mother again,” she asserted. “You will go to the ball in your honor and you will pretend to enjoy yourself.”

Putting his hand up in front of him, Baldwin replied, “I will do so, assuming you do not invite Miss Dowding to the ball.”

“But I have already sent her invitation.”

“Rescind it, then,” Baldwin said firmly.

Jane tilted her head as her words came out slowly, deliberately. “We both know that you have no real power here. If you fail to attend the ball, then you would intentionally embarrass Mother in front of her friends and Society.” She lifted her brow. “And you wouldn’t be as cold and unfeeling as that, now would you?”

Baldwin frowned, knowing that she had called his bluff. “No, I would not.”

“I am glad to hear that. Madalene will come to your ball, whether you like it or not,” Jane announced as she turned to leave.

Staring at her retreating figure in disbelief, Baldwin couldn’t help but admire the woman his sister had become. Unfortunately, she hated him quite profusely, and he wasn’t sure how he could fix that.

Dressed in a pale green muslin gown with a square neckline, Madalene descended the stairs of her townhouse with light steps, being mindful to avoid anyone’s notice, especially Mrs. Foster’s.

Her butler met her at the base of the stairs with a frown on his face. “I don’t like this, Miss.”

“Please do not fret over my decision,” she said.

“How can I not?” Graham asked. “Are you sure I cannot accompany you?”

Madalene shook her head. “There is no need. Besides, I believe I already explained my reasons for visiting the Queen’s Gambling Hall.”

“You did,” Graham replied, “but why not just send a footman to do your bidding?”

“Because I want this matter resolved as quickly as possible,” Madalene replied. “I will speak to the men in charge and petition for Edith’s release.”

Her butler sighed. “Is there anything that I can say to change your mind?”

She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m afraid not.”

“Then I shall be waiting up for your return,” Graham said. “If you aren’t home by midnight, I will send for the constable.”

“Thank you.”

As Graham went to open the door, he remarked, “Mrs. Foster will be furious when she discovers you went out this evening.”

“Most likely,” Madalene agreed, “but I choose not to dwell on that.”

Graham held open the door. “I took the liberty of speaking to the driver and footmen. I informed them of the clandestine nature of this errand and ordered them to remain vigilant.”

“I don’t know what I would do without you, Graham,” Madalene said, hoping her voice conveyed her sincerity.

The lines around his eyes crinkled. “Let’s hope we never find out, shall we?”

With a parting glance, Madalene exited the townhouse and headed for the waiting coach. She stepped inside and smoothed out her gown. The coach jerked forward, and she took a deep breath to soothe her growing nerves.

She didn’t know why she was particularly nervous. She would go into the gambling hall, speak to the man in charge, and pay Edith’s debt. Then Edith would be released, and everything would be as it should. So why did it feel too easy?

Glancing out the window, Madalene watched as they started driving through the unfashionable part of Town. The buildings darkened, men in tattered clothing were loitering on the pavement, and the pungent smell of excrement grew increasingly stronger.

Reaching into her reticule, Madalene removed a handkerchief that had been doused with rosewater. She brought it up to her nose and took in the scent. Problem solved, she thought. Now, on to the next problem.

The coach came to