He placed his other hand over their joined ones, the warmth of it seeping through her. “When Pierre and I were doing our best to evade the guards’ pursuit, it only made my admiration for you grow. I don’t understand how you managed to not only escape that chamber, but the house, and make your way along the dark streets. That was no easy feat.”
It was a good thing she was seated, for the admiration in his expression made her knees weak. And it certainly made her breathless. “I did what anyone would have done.”
“That’s not true. You have only to think of Mary to know it.”
She shook her head at the thought of the other woman. “I keep thinking of her. How many others are in the same situation?”
“We shall get to the bottom of it and put a stop to Finch. But allow me to worry about that.”
“Mr. Walker,” she began only to pause at his raised brow. “Daniel, I mean.” Saying his given name felt incredibly intimate. “You’ve already done so much for me. Too much.”
Their knees pressed together as he leaned close. “I’m only doing what I think is right.” He reached out to draw a finger along her cheek. “While I might have read about such practices in the broadsheet, I never had a personal connection to it before now. Knowing you has made it impossible to sit idly by and hope the authorities put an end to the business.”
Heart hammering, she placed her hand over his on her cheek, loving the feel of his warm skin against hers. “That is much more than other men would do.”
His gaze dropped to her lips and heat suffused her body.
“I like to think I’m not other men.”
“You certainly are not.” The words were a breathy whisper but all she could manage. If she didn’t know better, she’d guess he was thinking about kissing her. But that couldn’t possibly be true.
Could it?
“Beatrice?”
She adored the sound of her name on his lips, especially when he said it in a hushed whisper. “Yes?”
“I don’t wish to take advantage of our acquaintance, but I should very much like to kiss you.”
“I should very much like that too.” The flutter inside her became a flurry as the confession escaped her lips before she had time to consider the wisdom of her admission.
Then he smiled, the tilt of his lips stealing the few thoughts she had left. He drew closer until the warmth of his body merged with hers, their breaths mingling. Still he hesitated, anticipation filling her until she could hardly bear it. Until she began to worry that he’d changed his mind.
Or was he giving her time to change hers?
Then he took her lips with his, the feel of them firm as if he had no doubt what he wanted. Need spiraled through her as her senses reeled. How could a simple touching of their lips make her feel so much? The few chaste kisses she’d shared with her betrothed hadn’t been anything like this.
Then Daniel’s mouth moved over hers, deepening the kiss, and her world opened and passion flooded in. His hand cupped her cheek while his other hand held hers, their thighs pressed together. Three points of contact—yet she wanted so much more.
“Beatrice,” he muttered as he drew back to look at her. The desire darkening his eyes sent her heart spinning.
She latched onto it tight, doing her best to halt it. This moment surely didn’t mean to him what it meant to her.
“You are so special,” he continued. “I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”
She blinked at his words, trying to hold back the emotions they brought forth. “You are the special one, Daniel. A man of honor. The man who rescued me.”
He eased back, his expression unreadable as he lifted her hand to briefly press his lips to the back of it. “Thank you for the kiss.” The corner of his mouth quirked upward, and something inside her shifted with that small movement. “I’ve been wanting to do that for some time now.”
Shocked at the admission, she didn’t know how to reply.
“I’m sorry to say I must be going,” he said with some regret. “But please know I will continue to press Hurdy to arrest Finch. The moment he does, I’ll advise you.”
He stood and she did as well, pleased her legs held her, considering the tumult inside her.
“Actually,” she began, struggling to remember why she’d asked him to call. “I wondered if you’d be willing to accompany me to the servant registry office. I intend to confront the clerk who misled me, demand he return my references, and speak with whoever is in charge.”
He hesitated as if surprised by her request.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I thought to visit there to see what I could find. But I didn’t want to ask you to join me for fear of upsetting you.”
“I would be happy to do so if you were with me.” She bit her lip, realizing how forward she sounded. Perhaps she shouldn’t admit how much his presence reassured her, but it was the truth.
“Would you be able to go on the morrow?” At her nod, he added, “I’ll call for you then.” He smiled. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Beatrice.”
“And you, Daniel.” She watched him go, wondering how she could possibly slow her growing feelings for the intriguing man. One thing she knew for certain—their outing wouldn’t help.
Chapter Seven
Daniel had several things he wanted to say to Beatrice the following afternoon as they drove toward the servant registry office, but the presence of the maid kept him from saying any of them.
Perhaps it was for the best. In fact, he should apologize for kissing her rather than telling her how much he admired her courage. Or how beautiful he thought she was. Or how clever. He didn’t want her to get the wrong idea.
He frowned
