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

“It wouldn’t be the first time that someone used a scapegoat for their scheme.”

Baldwin nodded. “Regardless, I intend to see this through and stop their plan before it comes to fruition.”

“Do you have any leads on where Marie is?”

“Not at this time.”

Corbyn kept his gaze straight ahead as he remarked, “Until we get more information, I will hold off on warning Lord Liverpool, Lord Sidmouth, and Lord Desmond of the impending threat.”

“I think that is wise,” Baldwin agreed. “Furthermore, if what Morton said was true last night, then we need to start an investigation into Lord Desmond.”

“I agree, and I will assign an agent to the case.”

With a side glance at his friend, Baldwin remarked, “Thank you for your assistance yesterday at the pub.”

“You need not thank me,” Corbyn said. “I met a new group of friends.”

“You did?”

Corbyn chuckled. “They were all deeply in their cups, but they were a jovial group of men.”

“Did you discover why the blasted Runners took so long to raid the pub?”

“No, but I expected as much from them,” Corbyn muttered. “You can’t trust a Runner with even the simplest task.”

As they approached Miss Dowding’s townhouse, Baldwin reached up and adjusted his white cravat. “I did notice that the morning newspaper reported their heroics in rescuing those missing girls.”

“That should please the Bow Street magistrate.”

“I should hope so.”

Baldwin stopped outside of the black iron fence that surrounded the townhouse. “Would you care to call upon Miss Dowding with me?”

“Not in the least,” Corbyn said as he continued walking down the pavement.

Chuckling, Baldwin opened the gate and walked up to the door. He knocked on it and took a step back.

The door was opened, and the butler politely smiled at him. “Good morning, Lord Hawthorne,” he greeted, opening the door wide. “Please come in.”

“Is Miss Dowding available for callers this morning?”

The butler closed the door. “I shall inquire, milord.”

Baldwin watched as the butler walked across the entry hall and stepped into a side room. He turned his attention towards the blue wallpaper and ornate woodwork that ran the length of the hall.

The clip of the butler’s heel on the tile alerted Baldwin to his return. Stopping in front of him, the butler revealed, “I apologize, but Miss Dowding is not available for callers at the moment.”

“Will you kindly inform Miss Dowding that I will not leave until I have the opportunity to speak to her?” Baldwin pressed, not deterred by her rejection.

The butler’s face remained expressionless as he replied, “Yes, milord.”

Baldwin watched the butler walk across the entry hall again and disappear into the same room. After a moment, he reemerged and approached.

“Miss Dowding will see you. Please follow me to the drawing room.”

After Baldwin stepped into the drawing room, he walked over to the mantel that sat over the fireplace and admired the vases on display.

It was a long moment later when Miss Dowding stepped into the room, wearing a white gown with a green sash tied around her waist.

“Good morning, Lord Hawthorne,” she said, her words uncharacteristically soft.

He turned to face her, and he was surprised to see that she appeared tense. “Good morning, Miss Dowding,” he greeted. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“I’m afraid you left me very little choice in the matter.”

“That may be true, but I wanted to see how you are faring after yesterday’s ordeal.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “As you can see, I am well.”

“Are you?”

Her smile dimmed. “Why do you ask?”

“Pardon me, but I can’t help but notice that you seem rather out of sorts.”

Miss Dowding walked over to the settee and placed her hands on the back, creating more distance between them. She refused to meet his gaze. “I’m afraid yesterday was rather taxing, and I will need time to recover,” she said.

Liar.

Why is Miss Dowding lying to me, he wondered. He decided to pose another question. “Was Miss Hardy amongst the missing girls?”

She shook her head. “She was not.”

“Then I will keep searching for her.”

“I appreciate that,” Miss Dowding responded as she played with the fringe of a pillow.

Baldwin frowned as he tried to make sense of Miss Dowding’s odd behavior. “My brother informed me that he escorted you home last night,” he attempted.

“That he did,” Miss Dowding confirmed as she continued to avert her gaze from his. “I was most appreciative of that.”

Taking a step closer to her, he was astonished when she took a step back and a panicked look came to her face.

What in the blazes?

“Miss Dowding,” he started, “I must pose the question, were you harmed in any way yesterday?”

Her gaze snapped up to meet his. “I was not.”

“Then I must have done something to upset you,” he prodded gently. “Whatever it is, I am truly sorry.”

Baldwin could see the indecisiveness in Miss Dowding’s expression as she watched him. Finally, she spoke in a timid voice. “I thought you had deceived me.”

“Pardon?”

Miss Dowding remained stiff as she explained, “You informed me that the Bow Street Runners were going to rescue us right away, but it was hours before they finally saved us.”

“I am not entirely sure why the Runners were delayed, but—”

She spoke over him. “My hands were bound tightly, and my wrists are still reddened. I had to put powder on them this morning to hide the marks.”

“Again, I am sorry—”

“You did not prepare me adequately for being abducted.”

He let out a disbelieving laugh. “That is generally what happens when someone is abducted.”

Coming around the settee, she declared, “This is no laughing matter.”

Baldwin saw the seriousness on her face, and he realized that he was being rather unfair to discount her feelings. “I’m sorry for being insensitive,” he attempted.

Miss Dowding stopped in front of him, her eyes searching his. “And I watched as your eyes grew cold.”

He furrowed his brows. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“When you spoke to that man in the pub, I watched your demeanor change,” she explained. “It was as if you became a whole different person.”

Baldwin sighed. “I must apologize