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Beatrice risked a glance at Caroline and Aberland, her heart beating wildly, before looking back at Daniel. She couldn’t quite grasp what was happening. Had Daniel truly asked her to marry him?
One look at his expression confirmed it. To her surprise, he looked as if he questioned what her answer would be. The hint of concern in his eyes tugged at her heart. Perhaps he hadn’t asked her out of pity after all.
Hope stole through her at the thought, bringing warmth along with it. Did he truly care for her? Even though he knew what she’d been through? In many ways, this was a dream come true. To marry a man she liked and respected who knew the truth.
She gave herself a mental shake. Liked? Respected?
Who was she trying to fool? She’d already fallen for Daniel. That last kiss made the truth undeniable. And while he’d asked to marry her, she couldn’t expect him to feel the same way she did. He said he cared for her. He hadn’t mentioned anything about love. He might never have the depth of feelings for her that she had for him.
Was that enough?
Yes, she realized as hope took a firmer grip. For now, it was. Despite her doubts, she dared to dream for even more. How could she not reach for it?
“What do you say, Beatrice?” Daniel asked even as his body slowly stiffened as if to brace himself for her refusal. “Will you be my wife?”
“Yes.” She drew a quick breath, hardly able to believe this was happening. Yet the wild joy tingling along her skin said it was. “Yes, I should very much like to marry you.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask again if he was sure, to question whether he’d thought this through and if it was what he really wanted.
Before she could, he grinned, delight sparkling in his golden eyes. That was all the answer she needed. Relief weakened her knees.
“You’ve made me happy, Beatrice,” he said softly as he raised her hand to kiss the back of it. “Very happy indeed.”
Then Caroline and Aberland joined them, Caroline with tears in her eyes as she hugged Beatrice. “Congratulations.”
“Well done,” the earl said as he clapped his brother on the shoulder. Then his gaze shifted to Beatrice.
She couldn’t help but search his expression for disapproval or at the very least hesitation. But she saw nothing of the sort. To think they had both Caroline and Aberland’s approval meant so much. Mayhap she was doing the right thing by accepting Daniel’s proposal.
“I wish you both every happiness,” he said with sincerity.
“We should celebrate,” Caroline declared. “This evening, we’ll have a special dinner before we attend the musicale.” She glanced at Beatrice, her gaze searching as if to see how Beatrice was feeling.
Then Caroline raised a brow at Daniel. “I assume you’ll be joining us at the Mastersons?”
“Isn’t the daughter the one who’s tone-deaf?” he asked with a grimace though his eyes held that familiar teasing glint Beatrice adored.
“Tone deaf is a harsh term.” Caroline chuckled. “I prefer to think she’s still learning to sing.”
Beatrice realized Caroline was giving her a moment to adjust. Did that mean she looked as stunned as she felt?
“She’s been learning for years now, and it hasn’t improved her skills or caught her a husband.” Aberland shook his head. “I think her mother should find a better way to catch a potential husband than showcasing her daughter’s lack of musical talent.”
The conversation swirled around Beatrice while she attempted to collect herself and adjust to the sudden change in her circumstances.
“Now, Richard.” Caroline wrapped her arm through her husband’s. “The company there will be fine as will the food. It will be made even better by being the first outing for Daniel and Beatrice as a betrothed couple.” She turned to study them both. “Unless you’d prefer to wait to announce it.”
Daniel sent a questioning look at Beatrice as he reached for her hand.
Somehow that connection further reassured her this was indeed happening. That she hadn’t dreamed this unexpected turn of events. She was going to marry this man. A flush crept up her entire body at the thought.
“What would you prefer, Beatrice?” Daniel asked.
To shout the news to any who will listen, she wanted to say. Suddenly, a wave of emotion took her under, and her eyes flooded with tears.
“What is it?” Daniel’s tender regard made her eyes fill faster.
“I can hardly believe it.” She wiped her cheek, only to have Daniel turn her to face him.
“Nor can I,” he whispered.
“Why don’t we give the two of you a few minutes together?” Aberland asked.
“We interrupted you before you had the chance to fully discuss the details,” Caroline added. “We’re so happy for you both. We’ll talk more at dinner.”
“Thank you,” Beatrice managed.
Then the couple left, leaving her and Daniel alone again.
“Are those happy tears?” he asked as he wiped one away with the pad of his thumb, his brow creased with concern.
“Yes. Yes, they are. You must know how much I...admire you.” Good heavens, she’d nearly admitted her true feelings. She hated to think about how Daniel would react to that.
“Admiration is nice.” The corner of his mouth tipped upward, causing her heart to do the same. “But I’m hoping for a bit more.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, the feel of him against her serving to provide the very anchor she’d been longing for.
To think she would have a place to belong as well as someone who cared for her was more than she could’ve hoped for. While Daniel didn’t feel the same way about her that she did about him, his feelings might grow. Small steps would still allow her to reach her destination, she told herself. Especially now that she’d made it this far. They’d only known each other just over a fortnight. There was plenty of time.
“I never dreamed this was possible.” She placed her hand on his cheek, loving the masculine feel of it. Loving that she now had the right to touch him.
“The world is full of possibilities if we only look for them. Sometimes they’re hiding in plain sight.”
She had many questions about what he intended their betrothal and their marriage to be. About what she wanted as well. It was difficult to believe she had a say in her future when she’d been steeling herself to prepare for a life of survival rather than one of happiness.
For the moment, knowing she held his affection was more than enough. Surely they could build on that. For a few days at least, she would put away her worry that he’d only asked her to marry him out of pity or that he’d change his mind, and instead focus on her feelings, even if she had to hide them for now.
Yet she couldn’t deny the hope blooming inside her that one day, they might have a marriage full of love.
“Why don’t we wait a week or two before announcing our betrothal?” he asked. “That will give us both time to adjust and decide how and when to announce it.”
A sliver of unease pierced the bubble of happiness buoying her. Did that mean he wasn’t certain how he felt about marrying her? Did he feel sorry for her after all and that was the reason behind his proposal?
She nodded and forced a smile. “Perfect.” Then why did she feel it was anything but?
~*~
DANIEL SETTLED AT HIS desk the next morning, eager to take a look at his investments with a new eye. Now that he was to be married, he felt an added responsibility to do all he could to improve his finances. Beatrice deserved the best, and he intended to give it to her. She’d been through so much but her warm and gentle spirit, as well as her beauty, continued to shine.
They had yet to set a date for the wedding, or even for announcing their betrothal, but there was no hurry. Her tears had unsettled him, and he could only surmise she needed time to adjust to the idea of marriage. At least, that was what he hoped. Her hesitancy made him worry. As did the guilt that he’d pressed her into a betrothal before she was ready.
Part of him wondered if he should’ve waited and given her time to meet other men over the next few weeks before he offered for her. But how could he have done that when she’d been intent on leaving soon?
Surely he’d done what was best for her, hadn’t he? Never mind the niggle of worry that he’d made a mistake he didn’t yet recognize.
“Mr. Thomas Hurdy to see you, sir.”
Daniel looked up in surprise at Pierre’s announcement. He hadn’t expected to hear from the Runner based on what he’d said at their last meeting.
“Good afternoon.” Daniel rose as the man strode into his study, his hat in hand.
Hurdy’s glower didn’t bode well, Daniel decided.
“I have a question for you. Actually, I have several.” The Runner’s mouth tightened.
“Of course.” Daniel gestured toward the chair before his desk, noting that Pierre stood at the door and showed no intention of leaving.
“Did you or did you not enter the brothel last week?”
“What would make you ask that?” Daniel couldn’t imagine how Hurdy would’ve discovered his visit.
“Apparently, the entire building was evacuated as someone sounded the alarm of ‘fire’ and panic ensued.”
“Was anyone injured?” He saw no point in confessing to the deed.
“Only a lord who was in a room on the upper level. He tripped in his hurry to get down the stairs and broke his nose. According to a witness, he hadn’t pulled up his trousers before fleeing the supposed danger.”
The idea of Remington literally caught with his pants down and breaking his nose nearly had Daniel smiling. “How terrible.” He didn’t bother to keep the sarcasm from his tone.
“There was a report of something stolen during the chaos.”
“Other than women’s virginity and dignity?”
Hurdy’s lips twisted, the only acknowledgement of Daniel’s remark. “A box of money was taken.”
“You don’t say.” He had given half of the funds to Miss Adams and intended to give the other half to Beatrice, though he had a feeling she’d refuse the money, especially now that they were betrothed. If so, he’d find a way to put it to good use.
He hadn’t told Miss Adams where the money had come from, only that he wanted her to begin her new life on the proper footing. Though he knew money couldn’t regain what she’d lost, he hoped it would smooth her path in the coming weeks.
“The report also mentioned several of the men working there were injured by the same man who stole the box. That man was supposedly injured as well.”
“Do I look injured to you?” Daniel stood with his hands out from his sides before returning to his seat, grateful his injury was healing nicely. He’d be damned if he’d admit to anything. He only wished he’d caused more damage on his way out. “Why are you telling me all this, Hurdy?”
“I’d like to know if you were involved.”
Daniel lost his patience. “And I’d like Finch to be arrested. It looks like neither of us will get what we want.”
Hurdy leaned forward, his dark eyes heated. “You stirring up trouble won’t help the investigation.”
“If I did, it doesn’t sound as if it would hurt anything either. Is that the only reason you called?”
“We are making some progress with our inquiries, but these sort of events only put Finch on guard. He’ll be even more careful in his activities.”
“Duly noted.” Daniel didn’t regret his actions for a moment. Though he dearly wanted to know if Hurdy knew a woman had escaped that night as well, asking would only incriminate him. He refused to think he’d done anything wrong, but he’d rather Hurdy didn’t know for certain that he was behind the trouble.
Hurdy glared at him for another moment as if expecting him to relent and confess.
“Pierre will show you out. Do let me know when Finch has been arrested. Or should I say if?”
Hurdy stood and heaved a frustrated sigh. “Good day.”
It was only moderately reassuring for Daniel to know he wasn’t the only one frustrated with the situation.
