Before she could decide whether to raise the topic, another couple approached them on the path. Beatrice recognized Viscount Chivington, who’d spoken at length of his travels at the dinner party.
“Chivington. Miss Penworthy.” Daniel dipped his head as Beatrice curtsied. “I hope the day finds you both well. May I introduce my companion?”
“I had the pleasure of making her acquaintance several days ago.” The viscount’s warm smile took Beatrice by surprise. “Good to see you, Miss Linfield.”
“And you as well, my lord.”
Chivington introduced the lady at his side, an attractive woman who fluttered her lashes as she smiled at Daniel.
“Isn’t the garden amazing?” Miss Penworthy asked.
Beatrice nodded politely as the lady continued speaking, but her attention remained on Daniel when the viscount stepped closer to him.
“Did you hear that Remington’s sporting two black eyes?” The viscount chuckled quietly, seemingly unaware that Beatrice was listening. He leaned close, his voice barely a whisper. “He says he was attacked by footpads and had to fight them off, but rumor has it that he fell down some stairs at a brothel with his pants down.”
“You don’t say?” Amusement colored Daniel’s tone, and Beatrice wondered what was behind the story.
Then much to her surprise, Viscount Chivington turned his attention toward her, paying her several compliments, much to the dismay of Miss Penworthy based on her scowl.
The conversation continued for several minutes before the couple moved on.
“Chivington seems rather enamored of you,” Daniel remarked.
“He was kind during the dinner party, though I confess that I was so distracted with worry over you that I’m not certain how well I carried on our conversation.”
“How nice to think I held your thoughts even in my absence.” His smile suggested he was teasing her.
Beatrice smiled but gave the viscount no further thought as her mind returned to their conversation before the interruption. “I know you’re determined to see Finch punished for what he’s done, which I would like as well. But I wonder if it would be possible to provide assistance to the women arriving in London to keep them from falling victim to one scheme or another.”
“That’s an excellent idea. Do you have something in mind?”
“I’ve been considering a few ideas, though I don’t have any specifics yet. Do you think it would be possible?”
“Why not? There is obviously a need. I would be pleased to help if I can.”
That he’d offered assistance only made her care for him more.
He smiled, admiration in his eyes. “Your father would be proud of you for continuing his efforts to help others.”
“I suppose I hadn’t thought of it in those terms. But you’re right.” Her feelings toward her father were complicated. Her entire life, she’d felt that she came second to everyone else in their village. Then when she’d learned he’d given away her dowry, it seemed to confirm that others mattered more than his own daughter.
Now, after what she’d experienced and the fact that she was compelled to try to keep it from happening to others, she understood him a little better. It was difficult to watch people in pain and not try to help.
Once again, hope nudged aside her worry for the future. She and Daniel might suit very well after all. If only she could shed the sliver of doubt that suggested her sudden good fortune couldn’t be trusted.
“WE HAVE A PROBLEM,” Pierre announced the next morning as he poured coffee for Daniel in the dining room.
“Problems before coffee?” Daniel frowned. “Your priorities are upside down.”
Pierre’s lips pressed into a thin line, a sure sign of his upset.
“I’m listening,” Daniel added, his concern growing.
“A man was watching the house this morning.”
“This house?” Daniel had difficulty considering such a possibility. “Who would bother?”
“Either that Finch character suspects you were the person who stole his money and helped Miss Adams escape...”
Unease settled over Daniel. Had he inadvertently led one of Finch’s men to his home? “Or?”
“Hurdy suspects you’ll interfere with the investigation and is having someone keep an eye on you.”
“How well hidden was this person?” Daniel asked.
“I spotted him, didn’t I?”
“Yes, well, your skills allow you to notice such things better than most.” If the stranger hadn’t bothered to take more care in his hiding place, it seemed as if someone wanted Daniel to receive the message that he was being watched.
Pierre took the compliment in stride as he set the coffee pot on the table. “He didn’t seem especially concerned about being caught at his observations.” Pierre returned to the kitchen as if they weren’t in the middle of a conversation. Apparently the valet expected to keep to his morning routine despite his announcement.
Daniel held tight to his patience, taking a sip of his coffee with the hope it would help.
Soon, Pierre returned with a tray then set a plate of steaming coddled eggs and sausage before Daniel.
“Is the man still there?”
“No. He left when he saw me staring back at him.” He shared a few more details before leaving Daniel to his meal, wondering about the identity of the man.
Daniel would put money that Finch was behind it. Though Daniel had known his battle with the criminal was not yet over, the stranger’s presence outside his home was an unpleasant reminder.
The time had come to dig a little deeper into Finch’s world and see what he could find. There had to be a way to put an end to the man’s illegal activities. The sooner the better, assuming Finch knew his identity.
He wanted to do this not only for Beatrice but for himself. To prove that he could deal with trouble should it come his way. Yet the thought gave him pause. Surely he wasn’t acting like her father and placing his own wishes above what was best for her. While he appreciated a man’s need to do good deeds, his own family should come first.
Putting an end to her demons would benefit them both, he decided with a nod. There was little time
