“You can do whatever you think is best.” Caroline looked less than pleased but smiled all the same. “But I think learning who might be looking for a companion or governess might be easier at a party.”
Beatrice frowned, finding that difficult to believe. “How so?”
“Good positions with the right family are done through word of mouth. You were forced to go to the servant registry office because you didn’t know anyone. But now you do. And if you agree to attend a few social engagements with me, then you will also meet those people, and they’ll meet you to see for themselves how wonderful you are.”
Beatrice considered the idea, realizing it had merit. “Unfortunately, I no longer have references. They were taken by the clerk at the registry office.” Was there any possibility of getting them back?
“Those horrible people.” Caroline pursed her lips. “But you will have a reference from me now, and that should carry some weight. There are advantages to being Lady Aberland.” She smoothed her hands along the front of her gown as she spoke.
Margaret clapped her hands in approval. “Yes, there are.” Her gaze swung to Beatrice. “This is perfect. Not only will you have the chance to meet possible employers, but you might also meet a possible husband. You can do both at the same time and decide how to proceed then.”
“Yes, I suppose.” Beatrice pressed a hand against her middle to stop the flutters at the thought of attending such an event.
“Have no worries.” Caroline squeezed her arm. “You will be with me. But we must act quickly. My confinement will soon begin, and we need to see you settled before that.”
Beatrice shoved aside her own worries and smiled. “How exciting that by Christmas, you’ll be holding your baby.”
Everything about Caroline softened as she returned her smile, her face positively glowing with good health and happiness. “I am looking forward to it more than I can say.” She blinked back tears then turned to Margaret. “But we only have a few weeks. Is it possible to have a few gowns ready soon?”
“Of course.” Margaret nodded, taking both Beatrice and Caroline’s hands in hers, linking them in a circle. “The three of us are capable of miracles.”
Beatrice’s heart warmed. How lucky she was to have met these two women. She hoped that no matter what the future brought, she would be able to keep them in her life.
Would she be able to keep Daniel in her life as well?
Chapter Six
“What exactly are we watching for?” Pierre kept his voice low as he and Daniel stood by the shrubbery of a darkened house across the street from the brothel. The hour was well past midnight and the street relatively quiet with the exception of the few men entering the establishment.
Daniel sighed, wishing he had a more specific answer. “I want to see how the business is run and the sort of clientele who frequent the place.”
“Isn’t this something Mr. Hurdy should be doing?”
“Yes, but the man seems reluctant to truly investigate the situation.”
Daniel had delivered the address to him after Beatrice had identified the location. Hurdy seemed less than enthusiastic about receiving it. “I will look into it,” was all he’d said.
Daniel had followed up again this afternoon, and Hurdy provided a few details about what he’d discovered regarding the owner. Joseph Finch was reputed to control three different brothels. One catered to better-paying customers, another to average ones and the last to clientele with unique tastes. Beatrice had been taken to the more moderate one. ‘Virgins’ were sold in a monthly auction at each of them.
Was it the size of Finch’s business endeavors that made Hurdy slow to arrest the man or was it a statement to the risk of doing so? Daniel would’ve thought the Runner eager to collect his reward, but perhaps Hurdy’s hesitation was justified. Financial gain served no purpose to a dead man. And from what little Hurdy shared, rumor had it that Finch put a quick end to his enemies.
Daniel appreciated the need to proceed carefully, but he wanted Finch and whoever else was involved in the scheme stopped. By now, more women like Beatrice could’ve been taken.
Even if Daniel had to spoon feed the Runner information about the brothel, its occupants, and routine, he wanted Finch stopped. He’d requested Pierre to accompany him this evening with the hope of gathering more details.
“It would be helpful if we could determine how many guards they normally have on duty as well as the number of women in there.” Daniel studied the soft glow barely visible around each of the upper windows. The drapes were closed, but the light suggested the rooms were occupied.
“That’s rather difficult to estimate from our current location,” Pierre said wryly.
“Yes, well, I thought it best to gain a general understanding of the place before we move closer.”
“A wise notion.”
“From what Miss Linfield said, the two upper stories are much like a normal house with bedchambers.” There were four windows visible, all with bars. Did that mean four bedchambers on this side and an equal number in the rear?
“Eight bedchambers on each floor for a total of sixteen rooms.” Pierre’s lips twisted. “Sixteen lost souls, at least.”
“Indeed.” Daniel’s attention returned to the house. “I’m going to look in the lower window to see if I can discover anything more.”
“Not without me.” Pierre started after Daniel.
“You should remain here on guard.”
“I will not. I can watch just as easily from your side and be at hand should anything go amiss.”
Daniel shook his head. “I’m not going to be caught.”
“Exactly. Let us go.” Pierre gestured toward the brothel.
Daniel turned, only to be reminded his shoulder was sore. He rubbed the ache there. “Your lesson this morning was particularly harsh.”
Nearly every morning, they sparred in what used to be a sitting room but now served as a practice ring.
“You
