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

don’t have much of an option in the matter. I need to establish a level of trust with Morton.”

“But to choose Miss Dowding…” Oliver’s voice trailed off. “That is a bold choice, Brother, even for you.”

“I will ensure that Miss Dowding is ready for the assignment.”

Oliver lifted his brow. “Why do you have so much confidence in her?”

“She is stronger than most people give her credit for,” Baldwin replied, hoping his words were true. “Furthermore, she is desperate to find her friend, which is why I believe she will go along with this plan.”

“What if this friend isn’t with these abducted girls?”

Baldwin shrugged. “Then I made a valiant effort to find Miss Hardy, and I failed.”

“And you would be all right with that?”

“I would, especially since I can’t keep chasing after Miss Hardy,” Baldwin replied.

Oliver skirted around a rotting animal carcass in the street as he remarked, “Jane will be furious if something happens to Miss Dowding.”

“I am well aware of that fact.”

“She might very well never forgive you.”

Baldwin winced, knowing his brother’s words were spoken in truth. “Then nothing can happen to Miss Dowding.”

“Jane already holds a lot of resentment towards you for leaving,” Oliver shared.

“I am well aware of that,” Baldwin said. “She spoke some harsh words to me a few days ago.”

Oliver gave him a side glance. “What are you going to do about it?”

“What can I do?” Baldwin asked honestly. “Jane made it perfectly clear that she hates me.”

“Jane is hurting.”

Baldwin huffed. “Aren’t we all?”

“Yes, but you were the one who left,” Oliver pointed out.

“I had my reasons.”

“I miss Father, too,” Oliver remarked, a note of sadness in his voice.

Baldwin stiffened as he stopped on the street and turned to face his brother. “Of course you do,” he said. “Father was proud of you.”

“He was proud of you, as well,” Oliver argued.

“No,” he replied. “I did nothing to earn Father’s praise.”

Oliver’s brow knitted. “Aren’t you being rather hard on yourself?”

“Father wanted me to help him manage our investments and properties, but I was too busy being an agent,” Baldwin said, keeping his voice low. “I failed him.”

“You did no such thing,” Oliver asserted.

Baldwin shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now,” he declared. “Father is gone, and I will never be able to live up to the man that he was.”

“You are making a blasted good effort, if you ask me,” Oliver said, his voice filled with compassion.

“No, Jane was right,” Baldwin asserted dejectedly. “I abandoned the family when you needed me the most.”

“You were hurting,” Oliver observed. “You still are.”

“Forget I said anything,” Baldwin huffed as he resumed walking.

“It’s not too late to make amends,” Oliver responded, matching his stride.

Baldwin pursed his lips together as they continued to walk down the street. His brother couldn’t understand the overwhelming anguish that he struggled with on a daily basis. At times, it threatened to consume him, taking away every last ounce of happiness that he possessed. Which wasn’t much.

Oliver’s voice broke through his musings. “What I wouldn’t give for a hackney right now,” he joked.

Baldwin chuckled, grateful for the change in topics. “I agree. It is a shame that hackneys don’t operate this deep in the rookeries.”

“Fortunately, we are only a few blocks away,” Oliver commented as his alert eyes glanced at the men loitering in front of the buildings. “Let’s hope we get into a fight on our way there.”

“You’re looking for a fight?”

Oliver smirked. “No, but I wouldn’t mind if one found us.”

Chapter Nine

The warmth of the afternoon sun streamed through the open windows as Madalene took a sip of tea.

“Please say that you will come,” Jane said over the rim of her teacup.

Madalene frowned, lowering the cup in her hand. “I daresay that your brother won’t want me at his ball.”

“It doesn’t matter what he wants,” Jane countered. “I want you there.”

Lady Hawthorne spoke up from next to her daughter. “Jane is correct. Besides, we both want you there.”

“I suppose I could attend, assuming I haven’t left for the countryside yet.”

Reaching forward, Jane placed her empty teacup on the tray. “You must delay your trip.”

“I already have for the sake of finding Edith,” Madalene replied.

“Has the constable found any leads on where Edith could be?” Harriet asked.

Madalene shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”

“You must be patient,” Harriet encouraged. “After all, these investigations can take time.”

“Time that Edith doesn’t have,” Madalene asserted, placing her cup and saucer onto the tray. “I just don’t believe the constable is doing all he can on this case.”

“Has the Bow Street Runner made any progress?” Jane asked.

“I’m not sure,” Madalene replied. “My solicitor hasn’t responded to my letter.”

Jane gave her a knowing look. “You might be working yourself into a frenzy for no reason,” she said. “The Bow Street Runner may have already found Edith, and she will be able to attend the ball in Baldwin’s honor.”

“I don’t believe that to be the case,” Madalene responded. “I’m sure I would have heard if that were true.”

“It would be nice to have two friends at the ball,” Jane commented. “I tire of pretending that I enjoy going to these social events.”

“Attending these social events is expected of you,” Harriet said, exasperated. “You are the daughter of a marquess.”

“I know,” Jane responded, “and I am expected to smile and pretend to enjoy all the busybodies that flutter around the room, openly judging one another.”

“Not everyone is a busybody,” Harriet pointed out.

“You are right,” Jane said, her lips twitching. “How could I forget the gossipmongers?”

Madalene hid her growing smile behind her fingers. They both shared a mutual dislike for social events, but Jane wasn’t in a position where she could refuse invites. However, that didn’t stop her from complaining about it incessantly.

“If you don’t stop, perhaps I will just arrange a marriage for you and be done with it,” Harriet declared, but there was no real threat behind her words.

“Will you arrange a marriage with a pirate for me?” Jane asked, perking up.

“Why a pirate?” Harriet asked.

“Then I