A Dangerous Pursuit (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 1) - Laura Beers (macos ebook reader .TXT) 📗

“What crime did he commit?”

“Murder,” Morton replied. “He killed my mother.”

Baldwin gave him a baffled look. “I am not sure how we are similar.”

Morton chuckled. “My father was a man of principles. When he found out his wife was fornicating with his friend, he killed her for it.”

“You think I am a man of principles?” Baldwin asked.

“I do,” Morton replied. “You made the choice to stop fighting for the king and start fighting for yourself.”

“That is true.”

“You risk death if you are caught, but you still deserted.”

“‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ is what the Americans have, and I want that,” Baldwin said, leaning his shoulder against the wall.

“Everyone deserves that,” Morton responded.

“That they do.”

“Have you thought of traveling to the Americas?”

Baldwin bobbed his head. “Yes, but I need funds to buy a ticket, and I’ll only go after the skirmish is over between England and America.”

Morton met his gaze. “What if I could come up with the funds for you to start a new life in America. Would you be interested?”

Baldwin straightened from the wall. “I would be very interested, but are we talking about abducting more girls?”

“No, abducting the girls is just a quick way to produce some money,” Morton explained. “I am talking about much more than that.”

“I assume this is illegal.”

Morton smirked. “It only is if you get caught.”

“I don’t know,” Baldwin said as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “I may live in a rubbish pile, but at least it isn’t jail. I can come and go as I please.”

“Can you?” Morton asked. “After all, it will only take someone recognizing you once and you’re dragged back to the ship and hung for desertion.”

“I choose not to dwell on that.”

Morton took a step closer to him. “I’m giving you the opportunity to make history.”

“How could I make history?” Baldwin made sure his expression showed doubt with a good dose of hope mixed in. He wanted Morton to believe he was cautious but willing to be a part of the movement.

“We are recruiting a team to do a special assignment,” Morton said. “The pay is good, and the plan is infallible.”

Baldwin’s face grew slack. “No plan is infallible.”

“This one is,” Morton declared. “We just need like-minded individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to make their voices heard.”

“Which is?”

Morton chuckled. “We aren’t ready to tell you everything yet,” he said. “I just need to know if you are interested or not.”

“Let’s say I do get caught on this special assignment,” Baldwin started, “is it punishable by death?”

“Isn’t every crime that is worth doing?” Morton asked, putting his hands out wide. “After all, the American colonists fought for freedom, at the expense of their own lives.”

Baldwin frowned. “I’m not entirely sure I want a noose around my neck any time soon.”

Morton tsked. “That is only if you get caught, and that isn’t likely to happen.”

“How can you be so sure about that?”

A door slammed above them, and Morton glanced up towards the ceiling before saying, “We have someone who is going to help us.”

“Who?”

“Someone who knows our plight and has offered to help,” Morton declared. “Our numbers are constantly growing, and we have factions all over London that are continuing to meet underground. But the time is coming when we will rise up and start a revolution.” Morton stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We are just waiting for a sign that will light the flame of rebellion.”

“What is the sign?”

Watching him intently, Morton dropped his hand to his side and said, “That is what I want you to be a part of. You can make history happen.”

Baldwin squared his shoulders. “I will do it, whatever it takes.”

Morton smiled broadly. “I knew I could count on you.” He walked over to the door. “I’ll be in contact, but don’t tell anyone. Not even your cousin. We don’t want to risk our plans being uncovered.”

“I understand.”

After Morton closed the door behind him, Baldwin sat back down on the straw mattress and pondered what he had just uncovered. Was the person who was going to help with the rebellion the French spy that he had been tracking? And what job was Morton recruiting him to do?

The door opened, and Oliver stepped into the room with some bread in his hand. “I just saw Morton leave the building,” he said as he closed the door. “What did he want?”

“He was recruiting me for a special assignment.”

“Which was?” Oliver asked eagerly.

“He didn’t say.”

Oliver groaned. “Does that mean we have to stay in this dilapidated building for another night?”

“Possibly two.”

“I am so displeased by your remark that I might not share this bread with you,” Oliver replied, shaking his head.

“You are free to leave,” Baldwin encouraged. “I told Morton that you were off chasing women.”

Oliver broke the bread and extended half towards him. “I can’t possibly leave you here alone.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you will get yourself killed,” Oliver teased. “After all, I left you alone for only a few hours and Miss Dowding broke your nose.”

“She did not break my nose.”

Oliver chuckled. “It looks pretty swollen from where I stand, and Mother would be furious if it is still swollen for the ball in your honor.”

“That is in three days’ time,” Baldwin said. “I have no doubt that the swelling will go down before then.”

“Let’s hope for your sake it does,” Oliver joked as he sat down on his mattress. “Did Morton give you any hints on the type of assignment that he was recruiting you for?”

“I do know that the crime is punishable by death.”

“That could be a host of things,” Oliver remarked. “Any treasonous activity is punishable by death.”

Baldwin leaned his back against the wall. “He indicated that someone was going to help with the plan.”

Oliver swallowed the bite in his mouth. “Do you think Morton was referring to the French spy?” he asked.

“I don’t know, but it is a promising lead.”

“That it is,” Oliver agreed. “When do