Page 111 of A Dangerous Pursuit (Regency Spies & Secrets 1)

“Do you truly mean that?”

“I do.”

Miss Dowding pressed her lips together before asking, “Why are you associating with disreputable people in the rookeries?”

“There is a very simple explanation, but I didn’t want to tell you until now.”

“Which is?”

Baldwin leaned closer to her and said, “I was scouting locations for the workhouses in the rookeries, and I happened upon men who informed me about the missing girls. I befriended them only in the hopes of discovering the girls’ location.”

Miss Dowding eyed him critically. “I thought you weren’t in support of Lord Desmond’s bill.”

“I’m not, but I am in support of building workhouses for the poor,” he explained. “Insomuch that I plan to fund a portion of the project myself.”

“Are you in earnest?”

Baldwin nodded, knowing that Miss Dowding was easily falling for his lies. A part of him almost felt bad for lying to her. Almost. “I am.”

Her eyes softened as she watched him. “I believe I misjudged you, Lord Hawthorne,” she hesitated before adding, “again.”

Smiling, he said, “I believe we are both guilty of that.”

“Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“We couldn’t take a chance that it would be leaked to the newspapers,” he shared. “After all, a marquess doesn’t typically stroll around the rookeries with his brother and friend.”

A small smile caused Miss Dowding’s perfectly formed lips to curve delightfully. He found his eyes lingering on them as she said, “I find what you are doing admirable.”

“You mustn’t tell anyone,” Baldwin insisted. “We still haven’t found a way to fund the rest of the workhouses.”

“I would like to match whatever donation it is that you are contributing.”

“You would?”

Miss Dowding tilted her head and commented, “You sound surprised.”

“I am,” he replied. “I hadn’t even considered you would be willing to donate to the workhouses.”

“And why wouldn’t I?” she questioned. “I find building workhouses in the rookeries to be an exemplary thing, and I have more money than I can spend in two lifetimes.”

Baldwin had to admit that his opinion of Miss Dowding rose significantly. He hadn’t met a more charitable person before, nor did he think he ever would again.

“You are a formidable woman,” he said softly.

“That is kind of you to say, my lord, but I am only doing what my conscience dictates.”

The music stopped, and Baldwin found that he was not finished conversing with Miss Dowding. He took her left hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.

“Would you care to go walking in the gardens?” he asked.

“That sounds lovely.”

As he led her towards the French doors, he noticed that Mrs. Foster followed discreetly behind them. They started down a footpath leading to the center of the gardens, where a pool glistened in the moonlight.

“Would you care to sit?” he asked, stopping near one of the iron benches encircling the water.

“I would,” she replied, and gracefully lowered herself onto the bench.

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