| |
“Why don’t you wait here, Mr. Walker?” Hurdy leaned into the open door of the carriage where Daniel and Beatrice sat.
They were parked down the street from the brothel where they suspected Miss Ramsey was being kept, based on the confession Beatrice had managed to gain from Mr. Johnson.
“I think not,” Daniel advised, pleased he was able to keep his tone even. When Hurdy started to protest, Daniel raised his hand, palm out, to halt him. “Have no worry that I’ll interfere with your plan. I only intend to bring Miss Ramsey to Miss Linfield. Surely you can understand the wisdom of that.”
Daniel glanced at Beatrice, who sat across the seat from him, her face still pale from the ash and now pinched with worry. The small nod she gave expressed her agreement with his plan. She’d been especially quiet since the visit to the boarding house. No doubt she had nothing to say after learning just how inept Daniel’s efforts had been.
Hurdy scowled. “You mean if Miss Ramsey is inside.”
Why he continued to doubt the likelihood, Daniel couldn’t understand. While Johnson didn’t know for certain where the woman had been taken, chances were Finch hadn’t changed his practice.
“Yes, if.” Daniel reached out to touch Beatrice’s arm with the hope the gesture gave her some small measure of comfort. He had little else to offer her. Not after having failed so utterly in his attempt to stop Finch’s scheme. If Richard had been in charge, Finch would’ve already been arrested. Daniel was no one—he had no special skills, no clever tactics, no unique knowledge that made him a worthy adversary for Finch.
They’d already delayed looking inside the brothel too long as far as Daniel was concerned. Hurdy had found a constable to request additional assistance after Johnson admitted to his part in the arrangement. Johnson and his wife were finally taken into custody once the help had arrived. Another constable had been sent to the registry office to arrest Vessey.
Then Daniel and Beatrice had waited outside the boarding house for Hurdy to gather enough constables to enter the brothel in case multiple arrests were made. Whether that would happen if Miss Ramsey wasn’t there remained to be seen.
Hurdy insisted the charges against Finch would be easier to prove if he were caught in the act. Or rather, if Hurdy caught him in the act. Daniel preferred that as well. Then they might be able to avoid Beatrice having to testify as a witness. But Hurdy’s remarks made him wonder if the Runner lacked faith in the magistrate’s ability to properly examine the case and commit Finch to prison to await trial. The magistrate could also dismiss the charges due to a lack of evidence.
That worry was enough to keep Daniel pacing up and down the street outside the boarding house during the long wait. What if Finch had changed his routine because of Daniel’s interference? What if he had the women taken to a different location?
If that were the case, they might never find Beatrice’s friend.
Daniel could hardly bear to look at Beatrice for fear of the disappointment he expected to see on her face. How could she feel anything but disappointment when all his efforts to stop Finch had amounted to nothing?
His thoughts continued to spiral downward, and he’d been at his wit’s end by the time they’d finally left for the brothel. Whether or not they found Miss Ramsey, he and Beatrice needed to discuss their future. The situation might have changed her feelings for him and her thoughts about marrying him.
But that worry was for later. Now he needed to stay focused. Hurdy didn’t know what Finch looked like, and he could easily slip away without anyone the wiser.
Miss Ramsey might be frightened by the constables entering the building, assuming she was coherent enough to understand what was happening.
If she was in there. He supposed Hurdy had that much correct.
“Can I join—” Beatrice began.
“No.” Both Daniel and Hurdy answered.
“I’m certain I’ll recognize Miss Ramsey from your description,” Daniel said in another attempt to reassure her, though he avoided looking at her again. “With luck, I’ll return with her shortly.”
“Do take care.” Beatrice reached for his hand and squeezed it, much to his surprise.
The sweet gesture caused a pang of longing to spear through him. But Beatrice was considerate to all she knew, he reminded himself. That brief touch most likely meant nothing.
He nodded and alighted to join Hurdy, closing the door behind him. “Be on guard,” he ordered the driver and footman.
“Yes, sir,” both men agreed.
Daniel followed Hurdy to where a half dozen constables armed with wooden truncheons stood. Instructions had already been given and the men followed Hurdy as he approached the front door. The next few moments were a blur as the constables forced their way inside.
Daniel glanced into the familiar reception room but very few people lingered there, no doubt because the busiest time of the evening had yet to begin. He turned toward the stairs, moving toward the chamber Beatrice and Mary had briefly shared.
Hurdy joined him. “Do you have an idea where she might be?”
“Yes.” Daniel pointed upstairs and led the way.
Sounds of constables beating on doors and demanding entrance filled the brothel. Two scantily clad women hurried past them, giving Hurdy pause as he watched them rush down the steps.
“Thompson, hold them,” he ordered.
Daniel continued toward his destination. He reached the familiar door and knocked before turning the knob, only to find it locked. He quickly unlatched it and opened the door as Hurdy joined him.
A dark-haired, disheveled young woman in the bed slowly sat up at his entrance.
“Miss Ramsey?”
She blinked at him, the combination of fear and grogginess in her brown eyes eerily familiar. “Y-yes?”
Daniel sent a pointed look at Hurdy before addressing the woman. “Thank goodness we found you. We’ve come to take you to safety. Beatrice Linfield is waiting in a carriage outside for you.”
Miss Ramsey only continued to stare blankly between them, a frown marring her brow as she clutched the covers as if to protect her modesty. She didn’t seem to comprehend what he’d said.
“I’ll leave you to deal with her,” Hurdy advised and stepped out of the room, shouting additional orders to the men.
“It’s time to leave.” Daniel reached out a hand toward her only to have her stiffen and cower back. “Miss Linfield is waiting and eager to see you.”
The woman blinked one more time before her lashes fluttered alarmingly. Then her head tipped back, and she crumpled on the bed, her body limp.
Her fainting made her rescue easier, Daniel thought with a resigned sigh. He lifted her into his arms, glancing about the room but not seeing any belongings that might be hers.
He carried her out and started down the stairs. The constable guarding the door held it open for him, and Daniel walked outside, relieved he didn’t have to worry about defending himself and the woman as he left this time.
The coachman must’ve spotted him as he drew the carriage forward. The footman hopped down and opened the door.
“You found her?” Beatrice’s astonishment stung.
Did she truly have so little faith in him?
“Indeed. Unfortunately, she seems to have fainted.” He managed to step inside with her and set her next to Beatrice.
“Miss Ramsey.” Beatrice leaned close to gently pat her cheek but still she didn’t stir. “Sarah.”
“I’ll return directly,” he advised Beatrice.
“Where are you going?”
“To see if anything was left behind.” He didn’t explain that he meant Finch.
“Wait!”
He shut the door on Beatrice’s protest. There was no time to argue. He looked up at the coachman. “If I don’t return in a quarter of an hour, return to Aberland House. I’ll find my own way home.”
“Very well, sir.”
Daniel returned to the brothel but rather than entering through the front door, he hurried down the steps to the rear door only to find it locked. Hoping a constable might be guarding it as well, he knocked, pleased when the door opened.
The constable nodded as Daniel entered. But it took only a glance to realize Finch was nowhere to be seen. He continued toward the reception room where Hurdy had gathered the few male occupants together with the hope Finch was among them. Some were obviously guards, while those dressed nicely and protesting loudly appeared to be customers.
None of them were Finch.
He climbed the stairs once more. Perhaps the man was hiding somewhere or had been overlooked. But it only took a few minutes to look through each floor as all the doors now stood open and the rooms were empty.
Daniel paused alone at the top of the landing, frustration simmering within him at yet another failure.
Finch was still out there somewhere. He dreaded delivering the disappointing news to Beatrice.
~*~
“HOW IS SHE?” DANIEL asked the moment Beatrice returned to the drawing room after settling Sarah into bed.
“I think she’ll be fine. Caroline has been so kind as to make room for first me, then Mary and now Sarah.” Beatrice was beyond relieved that Daniel had found her friend yet felt terrible for bringing not one but two strangers in need under Caroline and Aberland’s roof. But she didn’t know what else to do. There was no place for them to go that she knew of.
Sarah had been confused, uncertain if Beatrice’s presence was real or a figment of her imagination. It seemed as if Daniel had arrived before anything truly untoward had occurred. But her fear had been palpable and her words muddled for the most part.
“A good night’s rest and time for the drug to wear off will help.” Beatrice’s voice caught on the last few words despite her intention not to become overly emotional in front of Daniel. Guilt that Sarah had ended up in the same situation as Beatrice made her feel positively ill.
He’d already done so much to aid her. The last thing he’d want to deal with was an overemotional female.
“Beatrice,” he said as he stepped closer.
She wanted him to take her into his arms and tell her all was going to be well. That he loved her, and they were in this together.
But he didn’t do any of those things. He only stood there staring at her with a guarded look. The distance between them made her ache with longing until she could hardly draw a breath.
Until this moment, Daniel hadn’t really looked at her since they’d discovered Sarah had been at the boarding house. She could only assume he was disappointed she hadn’t told Sarah the truth about what occurred. After all, that was what had caused the entire day’s events.
She swallowed against the lump in her throat, trying to hold in her emotions. Would an apology make any difference? It seemed inadequate considering the danger in which she’d placed not only Sarah but Daniel and the men who’d entered the brothel. Thank goodness none of them had been hurt.
“Daniel, I’m so sorry about all this. I should’ve been honest with Sarah in my letter and explained in detail what happened to me.” Her pride had kept her from doing so. She hadn’t wanted anyone in her village to learn about those terrible events. But what purpose was there in protecting her own reputation when it had risked Sarah’s life?
“There is no need for you to apologize.” His quiet, deep voice held an odd note, one she couldn’t decipher. “Neither you nor Mary nor Sarah is at fault in any way.”
Beatrice blinked back tears, wishing she could believe him. The closeness they’d shared in the past few days had vanished, leaving her chilled. She had no idea how to get it back.
“I’m certain you’re tired after what you endured today,” he continued. “You should rest while you can. Miss Ramsey will no doubt require much of your time on the morrow.”
“Sally is with her now.” She wanted Daniel to know Caroline wasn’t tending Sarah while Beatrice did nothing.
“All the more reason you should seek your bed. We’ll talk more once Miss Ramsey has recovered.”
Before she could think of an excuse to ask him to stay, he’d gone. Not once had he touched her. Did that mean their betrothal was at an end? Despair filled her at the thought.
With slow steps, she made her way to her bedchamber and sank onto the bed. She’d been so certain she had found her place in the world—with Daniel. His distant expression shattered her hope. Now that place with him seemed as impossible as holding a star—ever out of reach.
~*~
DANIEL LOOKED UP FROM the correspondence he’d been reviewing at his desk as Richard walked into the study late the following morning.
Alarm filled him. “Is all well? Did something happen with Miss Ramsey?”
“She is as good as can be expected. However, I was rather surprised not to find you somewhere in my house this morning, so I decided to call on you to make certain you were well.”
“As you can see, I’m fine.” Other than not having achieved any of the things he’d been working toward. The issue continued to fester deep inside him, but a solution had yet to come to mind.
When Beatrice had apologized the previous evening, it had taken all of his reserve to keep from drawing her into his arms. But how could he when the one comfort she deserved—knowing the man who’d ruined her in Society’s eyes, along with numerous other women, had been imprisoned and would be punished for his criminal activities—was something he couldn’t give her?
Until he found a way to make that happen, he intended to keep his distance. Planning a future with her when he’d so badly let her down was impossible.
Richard settled into the chair on the opposite side of his desk, studying Daniel. “You’ve saved not one but three women. You’re becoming quite the hero.”
Daniel scoffed. “Hardly. Last evening, I merely followed the police into the brothel and carried Miss Ramsey to safety.”
“Wasn’t that the purpose of the mission?”
“In part.” Daniel leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “I’d be happier if Finch had been captured.”
“Surely Hurdy is continuing to work toward that end.”
“One would hope so.” Some of his frustration must’ve colored his voice as Richard frowned.
“It sounds as if you don’t trust him to do so.”
“Would you? Then again, you don’t seem to trust anyone.”
“What makes you say that?”
Daniel stared nonplussed at his brother. “Do I truly need to explain?” At Richard’s continued blank look, Daniel added, “Your own brother didn’t know you were a spy for England, or that you were almost killed, let alone that the rest of your life was a lie built around your mission.”
Richard shifted in his chair. “Those were unusual circumstances that are now behind me. You must know that I trust you implicitly.”
“Hmm.” Daniel didn’t believe him.
“Daniel.” Richard stood, placed both hands on the desk, and leaned across to look Daniel in the eye. “I would trust you with my life, with Caroline’s, and that of our soon-to-arrive child.”
Shock left Daniel speechless.
“You have always been there for me,” Richard continued. “Even when I wasn’t always there for you. Your steadfastness, as well as your willingness to reach out, even though I didn’t always do so, has meant the world to me. My apologies if I haven’t made that clear.” He straightened, his gaze shifting across the room as if his thoughts were elsewhere. “I was so caught up in my quest for revenge against the French spy who murdered my friend that little else held my notice.”
An unexpected warmth rose within Daniel as he tried to digest his brother’s words. “Thank you for telling me. I must say I believed otherwise.”
“You’re one of the few people I do trust. There’s no one I’d rather have at my side.” Richard raised a brow. “Now then, what’s your plan to capture Finch? Wait for Hurdy to do so or take matters into your own hands?”
Resoluteness filled him. “I’m done waiting.”
Richard nodded. “Excellent. I agree. Hurdy had his chance. Obviously, something else is afoot with the Runner based on his reluctance to find Finch. How can I assist you?”
“Caroline would have my head if she thought I asked you for help.”
“She’s a little overprotective at the moment.” Richard’s smile suggested he thought it amusing. “I must say I feel the same way about her. But have no doubt that I would be pleased to lend a hand and would take great care, as should you.”
“I’m still formalizing a plan. We have yet to find Finch. Pierre is watching his house now.” Daniel preferred to avoid involving Richard. If anything went wrong, he’d never forgive himself.
While he appreciated his brother’s vote of confidence, he was still mulling over what he was capable of and how best to proceed. Did he search for him at one of the other two brothels he owned? Did he attempt to catch him at his house, or did he try to lure him to a location of his choosing?
“While it’s well and good to have a plan, don’t overthink it,” Richard advised. “The end goal should remain foremost in your mind and your actions. Criminals rarely cooperate with the plans we make.”
“Somehow that information is less than reassuring.” Daniel offered a wry grin.
“You are the key to the plan. As long as you are prepared, which I know you are, that is all that matters.”
Was he truly ready? Daniel didn’t know for certain. He was only a man with determination and justice on his side. He hoped that would be enough when he finally confronted Finch.
~*~
“HOW IS MISS RAMSEY?” Caroline asked as Beatrice joined her in the drawing room that afternoon.
“Tired and confused, though that’s to be expected.” Beatrice sat on the settee beside Caroline where she worked on the geese embroidery piece for the nursery. “I still feel so terrible that she had to endure what I did.”
“You advised her not to follow your path. I’m not sure how you could’ve been any clearer.”
“Sarah does tend to be rather headstrong.” The realization had her feeling slightly less guilty about all that had occurred.
Caroline set aside her needlework. “May I ask if something is bothering you? You don’t seem yourself today.”
Beatrice closed her eyes briefly as a wave of despair swept over her. “I thought I was hiding it better.”
“What’s wrong?” Caroline placed her hand on Beatrice’s arm, the concern in her eyes tempting.
“I have to wonder if Daniel has changed his mind about our betrothal.”
Caroline’s eyes went wide with shock. “What makes you think that?”
“All was going well until we began to suspect that Sarah had been taken. Since then, he hardly looks at me. I assume that means he’s having second thoughts.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. He truly cares about you.”
“Perhaps he’s decided he doesn’t want a ruined wife.”
“Beatrice, you can’t allow the past to define who you are today. Especially when those circumstances were beyond your control. You were the victim of an unfortunate situation. But don’t allow that cloud to follow you all of your days. Not when you have a chance for happiness.”
Beatrice pondered her words for several moments as she thought over the past few days, especially Daniel’s behavior toward her. The beautiful flowers he’d sent. The night of the ball and their heated kiss in the alcove. His eagerness to spend time with her that had brought him over for breakfast. They’d shared many happy, delightful moments before it had all gone wrong. But had it truly gone wrong or had they just taken a misstep?
Was happiness in her grasp if she only reached for it? If she could convince him that they should reach for it, together?
“You may be right. Daniel was very upset that Finch wasn’t at the brothel. Maybe that was the reason he was so distant.” Beatrice shook her head. “And based on what Daniel said at breakfast yesterday, he seems convinced I don’t know what I want.”
“But you do?” Caroline asked.
She bit her lip. Dare she admit it to someone? “Yes. I want Daniel. My affection for him overwhelms me.” She pressed a hand against her heart as love swelled within her, refusing to be suppressed.
Caroline clapped her hands with a laugh. “I’m so pleased. The two of you are perfect for each other.”
“I merely have to convince him of that.” Beatrice heaved a sigh at the impossibility of it.
Caroline tapped a finger on her chin, suggesting she was deep in thought. “Perhaps it’s time you took matters into your hands.”
“How do you mean?”
“Why not pursue what you want?” Caroline offered a secretive smile as she picked up her embroidery. “Sometimes, the men in our lives need a nudge in the right direction.”
“A nudge?” Beatrice pondered the idea, wondering what that could be.
“Or a shove.” Caroline shrugged. “It could be a bold act or something subtle. But why not make it clear how you feel? In my opinion, Daniel is rather too focused on trying to be a gentleman and worrying whether he’s doing what’s best for you. I think only you can decide what that is.”
“You’re right. He’s convinced that I haven’t had enough time to decide what my future should hold.”
“The two of you are betrothed.” Caroline grinned. “And with that comes certain liberties, if you take my meaning.”
An idea sprung to mind, but could she make it work? Was she bold enough to try? The thought of proving to Daniel how much she cared for him was impossible to resist. More than anything, she wanted to marry Daniel. To have the sort of loving relationship that Caroline and Aberland shared. Didn’t she deserve that, regardless of recent events? What better way to convince him than to tell him and show him as well?
“If it helps, I have no doubt Pierre could be counted on to aid in whatever plan you devise.” Caroline leaned close as if to share a secret. “He and Mrs. Beverly, the housekeeper, adore you and think you’re perfect for Daniel. As do Richard and me.”
Having their support shifted something deep inside Beatrice, sending her confidence soaring.
Was Daniel truly within her reach? If she shared how she felt, would he realize she knew what she wanted? The risk was great. He might reject her and end their betrothal if he didn’t feel the same way.
But if he did, her idea might be the perfect beginning of their life together. Hope rose once more. Love was worth the risk.
