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

“Truly?”

A slow smile came to his lips. “You have no idea the effect you have on me,” he shared. “When I am with you, I am a better man. But you must know that I will never be truly worthy of you.”

“I disagree,” she replied. “I think you are perfect for me.”

“Do you mean that?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

She blinked back the tears that came to her eyes. “I do,” she asserted, “and I love you, as well.”

Lord Hawthorne reared back slightly. “You do?” he asked. “I mean, I hoped you did… or at least held me in some affection—”

In a bold, swift move, she went up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his, effectively silencing him.

As she leaned back slightly, she asked, “Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”

He chuckled. “No, I can’t say that anyone ever has.”

Smiling, she said, “I think I found my favorite way to silence you.”

His eyes dropped to her lips. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” she replied, taking a deep, shuddering breath in anticipation of what Lord Hawthorne was about to do.

In the next moment, he pressed his warm, soft lips to hers. His arms came around her, drawing her closer to him. She parted her lips and kissed him back with an ardor that she had never felt before. And with every moment, she found herself growing more in love with this wonderful man.

Lord Hawthorne broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “You never did answer my question.”

“About what?” she breathed.

“Will you marry me?”

Madalene pretended to consider his words. “I suppose a union between us would be a good idea,” she finally replied.

“Yes, it most assuredly would,” he said, “especially since I never wish to be parted from you ever again.”

“Then I agree, assuming you will let me kiss you whenever I want.”

A charming smile came to his lips. “I can agree to those terms.”

“Wonderful.”

The word was barely out of her mouth before Lord Hawthorne pressed his lips against hers. Not that she was complaining. She rather enjoyed kissing her fiancé.

Her companion’s voice caused them to jump apart. “I hope this means that there will be a wedding,” Mrs. Foster said in a firm voice.

“Yes,” Madalene replied as she brought her hand up to her tingling lips. “Lord Hawthorne asked me to marry him.”

“Baldwin,” he corrected gently.

Madalene smiled over at him in response.

Mrs. Foster rushed forward and embraced her. “I am so happy for you,” she said as she stepped back. “For both of you.”

Baldwin met Madalene’s gaze, his eyes conveying his love. “Now that I have secured your hand in marriage, I will depart and call upon you tomorrow to discuss the particulars.”

“I shall be looking forward to it.”

“Very good.”

Madalene watched as Baldwin walked to the door and spun back around. “I love you, Madalene, and you have made me the happiest of men.”

Surprised by his outburst, it took her a moment to respond. “I love you, too.”

Baldwin smiled, his eyes full of a love such as she had never known. “Until tomorrow, then.”

Epilogue

Six months later

“Where are you taking me?” Madalene asked as she sat next to him in the dimly lit coach.

Baldwin grinned at his wife’s exuberance. “You can stop pestering me with questions,” he said. “I am not going to tell you.”

“We have been traveling with the drapes closed for hours.”

He chuckled. “It has been closer to twenty minutes.”

Madalene gasped as she turned to face him. “Are you abducting me again?”

“I am not.”

“Are you taking me to the orphanage?”

He shook his head. “Why would I need to keep that a secret?”

“Good point,” she said, fidgeting with the reticule in her lap. “Although, I thought we were done with secrets.”

“This isn’t a secret.”

“It isn’t?”

Smiling, he replied, “No, it is a gift.”

“But I don’t need any more gifts from you,” she objected. “I daresay that you have spoiled me with all the jewelry you have given me. I mean it when I say that I am more than content with just being your wife.”

“It pleases me immensely to hear you say that.”

Bringing her face closer to his, she murmured, “You should know that I love you more with each passing day.”

Unable to resist, he bent his head and kissed her on the lips. He leaned back and said, “I could stay in the coach and kiss you all day.”

“Then why don’t you?” she asked coyly.

“Don’t tempt me.”

Her nose scrunched and she brought her hand up. “We are definitely in the rookeries,” she announced.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because it smells like the inside of a chamber pot.”

“That it does.”

Madalene offered him a curious look. “Do you miss working as an agent?”

“Part of me does,” he admitted. “I miss the danger and excitement of being a spy, but I do not regret my decision to retire.”

“No?”

He shook his head. “Lord Desmond may have been discredited when his solicitor testified against him, but he isn’t the only peer that is corrupt.”

“That is most unfortunate,” Madalene murmured.

Before he could reply, the coach came to a stop.

“I want you to close your eyes,” he said.

She gave him a puzzled look. “Why?”

“Just trust me, please.”

“Fine,” Madalene said before she closed her eyes tightly. “I can’t see anything.”

“Allow me to escort you,” he said, placing his hand on her arm.

After Baldwin gently led her out of the coach, he stopped her in front of a brown brick building.

Baldwin turned to face her because he wanted to see her reaction to her gift. “Now, open your eyes,” he ordered.

Madalene opened her eyes, and he was gratified to hear her gasp in delight. “When did you have time to accomplish this?”

“I generally find the time when something is important to me.” He turned to face the building. “Does it please you?” he asked, as they both gazed at the sign over the main door that read, “Elizabeth Dowding Workhouse and Infirmary”.

“Immensely,” she replied, “especially since you used my mother’s name.”

Baldwin reached for her hand. “I know you are