Page 56 of A Dangerous Pursuit (Regency Spies & Secrets 1)

“I don’t mind living dangerously,” Baldwin said. “I lived that way every day I was in the Royal Navy, never knowing if the next battle was to be my last.”

Paul leaned forward and lowered his voice. “We have a meeting tomorrow night at the Blue Boar on Whitechapel Street at ten. You should join us.”

“The Blue Boar?” Baldwin repeated.

“We meet in the back room,” Paul shared, bringing his finger up to his lips, “but you mustn’t tell anyone.”

Baldwin nodded. “I understand.”

“That is good,” Sam said in a low voice, “because Morton will kill you if you talk.”

“Then I don’t want to make this Morton fellow mad,” Baldwin replied with a smile, hoping to lighten the mood of the group.

Sam let out a bark of laughter before saying, “No, you most assuredly don’t.”

Baldwin reached for his cup and slowly took a sip. He was grateful that he finally had a lead on a radical group. It may not be the one that he was seeking, but it was a good start.

Madalene let outa sigh as she reviewed the orphanage’s ledgers at Edith’s desk. She had always been good with numbers, but this was proving to be an impossible feat.

Mrs. Foster spoke up from an upholstered chair near the fireplace, where she was engaged in needlework. “Whatever is wrong?”

“Once Edith returns home, I am going to hire a bookkeeper to manage her ledgers.”

“Why do you say that, dear?”

Madalene gestured towards the ledgers. “I don’t know how she has time to balance these books and still be headmistress.”

“She seems to do so splendidly.”

“That she does,” Madalene agreed, leaning back in her chair. “What am I going to do if Lord Hawthorne doesn’t find Edith?”

“You mustn’t think that way,” Mrs. Foster chastised.

“I know, but it has been days and there has been no word from Edith’s captors.”

Mrs. Foster lowered the needlework to her lap. “It isn’t like you to give up hope so easily,” she replied.

“True, but I find Lord Hawthorne’s words keep echoing in my mind,” Madalene said. “He is quite the naysayer.”

“Maybe the constable has a lead on the case?”

“Perhaps,” Madalene replied, unconvinced.

“Or Lord Hawthorne could have uncovered something useful?”

Madalene gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. “I suppose that could be the case,” she replied. “Although, I hope my trust in him isn’t misguided.”

“He is only a marquess.” Mrs. Foster pressed her lips together. “But I have already expressed my opinion on the matter.”

“That you have.”

The door to the office opened, and Mrs. Kipper stepped into the room. She met Madalene’s gaze and announced, “Lady Hawthorne and her daughter, Lady Jane, have come to call.”

Madalene rose from her chair. “Will you show them in?”

“Yes, Miss,” Mrs. Kipper replied before departing from the room.

A few moments later, Jane glided into the room with a bright smile on her face. “What a charming orphanage.”

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