“Where do ye think ye’re goin’?” a deep voice demanded.
He turned to see a beast of a man to his left. Daniel felt ridiculously small in comparison. Doubt wound through him as he considered the unfavorable odds of defeating him. He’d have preferred to face Finch instead. What had he been thinking to come alone?
“Mary, get inside,” the large man ordered.
Daniel held tight to her hand. “She’ll be leaving with me.”
“Is that right?” He smiled but it was anything but pleasant. “I don’t think so.” He reached for Daniel, but Daniel slapped away his hand.
Before Daniel had time to duck, the man’s fist came barreling toward him, clipping him on the jaw.
Blackness narrowed his vision. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts even as he pushed Mary behind him. Then he eased back and kicked his opponent’s knee followed by a kick to his stomach.
The man grunted but otherwise seemed unhurt. Daniel struck him again, managing to force him back a step. Hoping he was gaining the upper hand, he sent a second kick to the man’s knee then another to his torso, and this time, his opponent howled in pain.
But when Daniel regained his balance, the man withdrew a knife, its silver blade glinting dully in the dim light coming from the brothel windows.
“Sir?” Mary gasped.
Daniel waited for the man to jab at him, then grabbed his wrist, squeezing with the hope of forcing him to release the knife.
His opponent struck out with his free hand, managing to hit Daniel on the shoulder and forcing him to let go.
It felt as if the man hit with the force of a hammer, and fear slid down Daniel’s spine. If only Pierre were with him, the two of them could easily defeat the giant of a man. But Daniel had Mary to protect and Beatrice to return to, so he gathered his resolve, and waited for his challenger to make a move.
The man lunged forward with the knife. Daniel didn’t move quickly enough, and the blade sliced his tailcoat. A sharp sting on Daniel’s side suggested it caught more than clothing.
Daniel focused on the blade and spun to land a kick on the man’s outstretched hand. The knife clattered to the cobblestones and Daniel quickly pressed his advantage, not allowing the man to recover. He landed blow after blow along with several kicks until the large man toppled backward.
Then he took Mary’s hand once again. “We must run, Mary.” Daniel picked up his pace, heart pounding at the close call. “Hurry.”
“To Beatrice?”
“Yes.”
She ran faster than he would’ve guessed possible. But with each stride, Daniel’s side hurt all the more. He was already winded from the fight but as they ran, he quickly realized the knife had done more damage than he’d realized.
“Wait, Mary.” He held a hand to his side, grimacing at the feel of dampness there as he glanced over his shoulder.
Already he could hear shouts behind them, suggesting pursuit was underway.
“You’re bleeding.” Mary stared at the sight of his hand just visible in the nearby streetlight.
“It seems I am. Let us hurry to the hackney coach stand.” He should’ve had a hackney waiting near the brothel. Why hadn’t he thought of that detail?
He kept moving, holding his side, surprised at the pain and blood. But he didn’t dare stop to tend the wound.
A carriage rumbled toward them and though tempted to request aid from whoever was passing by, it could easily be Finch or someone else associated with the brothel. The risk was too great.
Yet as he studied the horses, he realized they looked familiar.
The carriage drew to a halt and the door opened, revealing Richard.
“Daniel? What the hell?”
Daniel stilled, unable to understand how his brother could possibly be there. That was, until Beatrice’s face appeared over his brother’s shoulder, clearly visible in the carriage light.
“Daniel!” Relief was clear in her tone.
Shouts echoed in the night, and Daniel pulled Mary toward the carriage. “You’ve arrived just in time, brother.”
“Are you hurt?” Richard asked.
“I’m afraid so.” He glanced over his shoulder. “But we’ll address that once we’re safely away.”
“Mary?” Beatrice stared in shock as Richard assisted her into the carriage.
“Beatrice! I’m so sorry I didn’t leave with you.” Mary collapsed into Beatrice’s arms, sobs wracking her body as Daniel hopped inside.
Richard tapped the roof as soon as Daniel was over the threshold, and the carriage jerked forward as Richard closed the door.
When his brother’s gaze held steadily on him, Daniel managed a smile. “I must say, I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see you.”
“Apparently, we have several things to discuss.” Richard’s displeasure was clear. “I think there are a few details you failed to mention.”
Daniel bit off a quick retort. He knew exactly what Richard was feeling since he’d experienced much the same upon learning about Richard’s spying activities.
“Thank goodness Miss Linfield had the foresight to realize something was amiss,” Richard said. “As well as an educated guess as to where we might find you.”
Daniel ignored his brother’s irritation and smiled at Beatrice. “I owe you my thanks for coming to my rescue.”
Beatrice’s relieved gaze met his over the top of Mary’s head. “I’m so pleased we found you.” She glanced down at Mary and patted her shoulder. “How did you manage to free her?”
“It was a close thing. The mention of your name was what convinced her to come with me.” He couldn’t help but wince as the carriage jolted over a rut.
Worry flared in her eyes. That made two of them, for he knew the situation with Finch was far from over.
Chapter Ten
Well over an hour later, Beatrice sat on the edge of the bed beside Mary, comforting the young woman, who sniffed back tears.
“I should’ve trusted you and left when you did.” Mary wiped her cheeks. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I was just so scared.”
“All that matters is that you’re safe.” Beatrice still couldn’t believe Daniel had managed to free her. Worry for Mary had clouded
