“Is something amiss?” Beatrice asked.
“Not at all. I was just thinking of how to prove there’s a tie between the registry office and the brothel. Hurdy seems reluctant to believe it.”
“Then he’s wrong. I have no doubt there is.”
Her heated response made him regret mentioning it, even though it was true. But he couldn’t share what—or rather, who—held his thoughts.
He’d told himself Beatrice was always on his mind because he was working on the investigation. Thinking of it meant he was also thinking of her.
But after their kiss, he couldn’t lie to himself anymore. The unusual events surrounding the lady might have caught his attention at first. Yet she continued to hold it firmly, and that had nothing to do with the investigation.
Perhaps once Finch was arrested, his concern for her would wane. Or perhaps once she’d decided what she wanted to do with her own future and moved forward, he’d see her less. Yet he realized he didn’t care for either of those ideas at all.
When had that changed?
While he intended to marry one day, it wouldn’t be for several years. He liked his life. Having a wife would change everything, and he wasn’t ready for that. He need only look at Richard to see how much his existence had altered once Caroline had entered it. Of course, Daniel believed that was for the better. Now their lives would be even more different once they had a child.
Daniel might care for Beatrice, but those feelings were sympathetic in nature. Feeling sorry for her and her plight was a temporary emotion that would eventually pass. Nothing to worry over. The attraction he felt for her was merely a result of his empathy.
Reassured, he returned his attention to Beatrice. Yet one glance at her had him doubting the conclusion he’d drawn. She truly was lovely. Those large grey eyes with their long sweep of lashes, her smooth skin, and rosy lips were enough to have any man take a second look. She turned her head to glance out the window, revealing the elegant line of her neck. The fact that she wore the brooch they’d recovered from the boarding house caused his chest to tighten.
Her appearance was far different than the woman he’d found on the street in the middle of the night. She seemed every bit a lady at the moment. Yet he could easily envision how she’d looked after they’d kissed, her eyes dark with desire, a blush in her cheeks. The memory stirred him, causing him to shift on the tufted bench.
With all the resolve he could muster, he focused on the purpose of the day’s mission. “The reaction of the man who helped you should be interesting when he sees you again.”
“I’m not certain he’ll remember me. The office was quite busy when I was there.”
“If he received payment for referring you to Finch, I think he’ll remember.” How could anyone forget the woman across from him? Her beauty would easily set her apart from most of those entering the office. The thought of the entire scheme once again filled him with outrage. How many other women had suffered at the hands of the clerk as well as Finch and the Johnsons at the boarding house?
Beatrice said nothing more as she watched out the window. He couldn’t help but notice her gloved hands tightening on the reticule she held as they neared their destination.
“There it is.” Her lips firmed as she stared at the building.
Good, he thought. He much preferred her to feel anger rather than fear. But he eagerly awaited the day when she could put all of this behind her.
He and Pierre had visited this office along with several others, but even with Beatrice’s description of the clerk who’d helped her, it had been difficult to know for certain which man it was. They hadn’t witnessed anything unusual, so hadn’t taken any action.
Daniel had chosen to wear an older, single-breasted tailcoat and trousers with the hope of blending in better. While it would be obvious he wasn’t seeking employment, some gentlemen visited the registry office to hire servants. If he were new to London and had few acquaintances, he might seek the help of such a place.
The carriage drew to a halt, and Daniel alighted before reaching to hand Beatrice down.
“Perhaps you should wait here, Sally,” she suggested.
“If you don’t mind, miss, I should like to see the place,” the maid said. “Since it deals with positions like mine and all. I’m curious.”
“Of course.” Beatrice raised a brow at Daniel, and he nodded in agreement.
After bidding the driver to wait, Daniel glanced up and down the street. He had the oddest feeling they were being watched. No one seemed to pay them any mind, so he shook off the feeling and offered Beatrice his arm to walk toward the door.
“How did you find out about this particular office?” he asked, wondering why he hadn’t thought to ask earlier.
“At the coach stop when I arrived in London. A man was handing out papers with the office’s information on it.”
Of course. No doubt they had someone at other locations where people often arrived in London for the first time and were anxious for assistance to find employment. Where would Beatrice be right now if she hadn’t taken one of those papers?
He hated what she’d been through, but he didn’t care for the idea of having never met her either. Would fate have found some other way for them to come upon each other or had their acquaintance been only by chance? The thought shook him, making him realize how precious each day was.
With a deep breath, he reminded himself to keep his wits about him. He held open the door and followed the women inside. Sally remained near the entrance, eyes wide as she took in the bustling office.
Dozens seeking work were lined up in queues while clerks stood behind long counters,
