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

that you and Madalene appeared rather close last night at the ball.”

Baldwin stiffened. “Why do you say that?”

“After dancing the waltz, you disappeared with her into the gardens for quite some time,” Jane shared, a smile on her face.

“You need not worry about propriety,” he started, “we were chaperoned by Miss Dowding’s companion the entire time.”

“I never questioned that.”

“Say what you need to say and be done with it,” he insisted.

Her smile grew. “You are being rather testy this morning.”

“I am not.”

Jane reached for her cup of chocolate as she said, “I am merely commenting that you and Miss Dowding appear to be getting closer.”

“We are friends.”

“Friends?” Jane asked. “I didn’t think that you had too many of those.”

“I don’t.”

“Well, I would ask that you be cautious around my dear friend, because I wouldn’t want her reputation to suffer by associating with you.”

Baldwin furrowed his brow. “Meaning?”

“Do you have any intention of pursuing Madalene?” Jane asked plainly.

“I do not,” he replied. “Frankly, I have no thoughts of matrimony at this time.”

Jane bobbed her head. “I assumed as much.”

“But that doesn’t mean we can’t remain friends.”

“Just be mindful of the gossips,” Jane warned. “They can spew vicious tales and will damage reputations for their enjoyment.”

“That is awful.”

“It is the unfortunate truth, I’m afraid.”

Before he could respond, Oliver walked into the breakfast parlor with his hair tousled and his clothes horribly wrinkled.

“Good morning,” Jane said in a disapproving tone. “I see that you just got home.”

Oliver winced as he brought a hand to his forehead. “I did, and I would appreciate it if you kept your voice down.”

“My voice isn’t raised, Oliver,” Jane remarked curtly. “Perhaps you shouldn’t have had so much to drink last night.”

Oliver walked over to the buffet table and grabbed a piece of toast. “Where is the fun in that?”

Jane turned towards Oliver and asked defiantly, “Do you ever tire of being a despicable cad?”

Oliver swallowed the bite in his mouth. “Why are you attacking me this morning?” he asked as he leaned his shoulder against the wall.

“If you must know, it is because I rarely see you.”

Oliver smirked. “You miss me, then?”

Jane shook her head and rose. “I would prefer not to spend time in your presence right now,” she said before storming out of the room.

Baldwin lifted his brow. “I take it that our dear sister doesn’t approve of you and your lifestyle.”

Oliver sighed as he came closer to the table. “No, she does not,” he replied. “She makes that abundantly clear.”

“That is most unfortunate.”

“The sad thing is that Jane isn’t wrong,” Oliver said as he sat down next to him. “Mother feels the same way.”

“Has Mother said something to you?”

Oliver shook his head. “No, but I can see it in her eyes.”

“We must put our duty ahead of our wants,” Baldwin said.

“I know, but…” His voice trailed off as a pained look came to his face. “Have you ever wished that we weren’t recruited out of Oxford to be agents?”

Baldwin lifted his brow. “No, but it would appear that you have.”

“I was supposed to be a barrister,” Oliver said. “I was even preparing to apply to one of the Inns of Court.”

“Do you regret becoming an agent?” Baldwin asked.

Oliver frowned. “That is a ticklish question.”

“Not really.”

“We must put our duty ahead of our own wants,” Oliver said as he rose. “I think I am just spouting nonsense because I’m tired.”

Baldwin gave his brother a concerned look. “Becoming lackadaisical can get you killed,” he pointed out.

“There is little chance of that,” Oliver remarked dryly. “I am just babysitting schoolboys who spout radical views.”

“Can you ask Corbyn to reassign you?”

“I have, but he said I was in the perfect position to spy on members of Society.”

“That is a shame.”

Oliver started walking backwards towards the door. “Not everyone is lucky enough to go undercover for three years and help French royalists during the war.”

After his brother left, Baldwin sat for a long moment. He hadn’t considered that his brother might harbor some feelings of jealousy towards him for his past assignments. They had taken such different paths after they were recruited to be agents.

A familiar voice came from the window. “I hadn’t realized that Oliver was not enjoying his cover to this extent.”

Baldwin glanced over and saw Corbyn was entering the breakfast parlor by way of the open window.

“Did my butler turn you away?”

Corbyn shook his head as he adjusted his white cravat. “I didn’t attempt to go to the main door.”

“Were you spying on our conversation?”

“It was unintentional,” Corbyn replied as he went and closed the door. “I wanted to speak to you, but I was unable to get your attention while your sister was in the room.”

“Again, you could have come by way of the main door.”

Corbyn stepped up to the buffet table and picked up a plate. “That would have been a waste of time,” he said as he piled eggs and bacon onto his plate.

“What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?”

Walking around the table, Corbyn sat down next to him. “Morton may be right about Desmond,” he shared.

“You found proof that he is stealing from the workhouses?”

“Not exactly, but the agent who reviewed the ledgers confirmed that the numbers appeared to be doctored, but has no proof,” Corbyn said. “We need to find the solicitor that Morton mentioned and speak to him.”

“I will see what I can do.”

Corbyn took a bite of his eggs and chewed them thoughtfully. “Have you discovered anything more on the case?”

“I have not, but there is a meeting tonight at the Blue Boar.”

“Excellent,” Corbyn replied. “Wouldn’t it be grand if you were able to meet Marie tonight and stop this growing rebellion before it escalates?”

“Yes, it would.”

Corbyn pointed his fork at him and said, “I couldn’t help but notice you and Miss Dowding were getting rather close during the waltz.”

“Not you, too!” Baldwin huffed. “Miss Dowding and I are just friends.”

“It didn’t appear that way.”

“Then you need spectacles,” Baldwin quipped.

Corbyn leaned back in his chair.