Hurdy insisted the charges against Finch would be easier to prove if he were caught in the act. Or rather, if Hurdy caught him in the act. Daniel preferred that as well. Then they might be able to avoid Beatrice having to testify as a witness. But Hurdy’s remarks made him wonder if the Runner lacked faith in the magistrate’s ability to properly examine the case and commit Finch to prison to await trial. The magistrate could also dismiss the charges due to a lack of evidence.
That worry was enough to keep Daniel pacing up and down the street outside the boarding house during the long wait. What if Finch had changed his routine because of Daniel’s interference? What if he had the women taken to a different location?
If that were the case, they might never find Beatrice’s friend.
Daniel could hardly bear to look at Beatrice for fear of the disappointment he expected to see on her face. How could she feel anything but disappointment when all his efforts to stop Finch had amounted to nothing?
His thoughts continued to spiral downward, and he’d been at his wit’s end by the time they’d finally left for the brothel. Whether or not they found Miss Ramsey, he and Beatrice needed to discuss their future. The situation might have changed her feelings for him and her thoughts about marrying him.
But that worry was for later. Now he needed to stay focused. Hurdy didn’t know what Finch looked like, and he could easily slip away without anyone the wiser.
Miss Ramsey might be frightened by the constables entering the building, assuming she was coherent enough to understand what was happening.
If she was in there. He supposed Hurdy had that much correct.
“Can I join—” Beatrice began.
“No.” Both Daniel and Hurdy answered.
“I’m certain I’ll recognize Miss Ramsey from your description,” Daniel said in another attempt to reassure her, though he avoided looking at her again. “With luck, I’ll return with her shortly.”
“Do take care.” Beatrice reached for his hand and squeezed it, much to his surprise.
The sweet gesture caused a pang of longing to spear through him. But Beatrice was considerate to all she knew, he reminded himself. That brief touch most likely meant nothing.
He nodded and alighted to join Hurdy, closing the door behind him. “Be on guard,” he ordered the driver and footman.
“Yes, sir,” both men agreed.
Daniel followed Hurdy to where a half dozen constables armed with wooden truncheons stood. Instructions had already been given and the men followed Hurdy as he approached the front door. The next few moments were a blur as the constables forced their way inside.
Daniel glanced into the familiar reception room but very few people lingered there, no doubt because the busiest time of the evening had yet to begin. He turned toward the stairs, moving toward the chamber Beatrice and Mary had briefly shared.
Hurdy joined him. “Do you have an idea where she might be?”
“Yes.” Daniel pointed upstairs and led the way.
Sounds of constables beating on doors and demanding entrance filled the brothel. Two scantily clad women hurried past them, giving Hurdy pause as he watched them rush down the steps.
“Thompson, hold them,” he ordered.
Daniel continued toward his destination. He reached the familiar door and knocked before turning the knob, only to find it locked. He quickly unlatched it and opened the door as Hurdy joined him.
A dark-haired, disheveled young woman in the bed slowly sat up at his entrance.
“Miss Ramsey?”
She blinked at him, the combination of fear and grogginess in her brown eyes eerily familiar. “Y-yes?”
Daniel sent a pointed look at Hurdy before addressing the woman. “Thank goodness we found you. We’ve come to take you to safety. Beatrice Linfield is waiting in a carriage outside for you.”
Miss Ramsey only continued to stare blankly between them, a frown marring her brow as she clutched the covers as if to protect her modesty. She didn’t seem to comprehend what he’d said.
“I’ll leave you to deal with her,” Hurdy advised and stepped out of the room, shouting additional orders to the men.
“It’s time to leave.” Daniel reached out a hand toward her only to have her stiffen and cower back. “Miss Linfield is waiting and eager to see you.”
The woman blinked one more time before her lashes fluttered alarmingly. Then her head tipped back, and she crumpled on the bed, her body limp.
Her fainting made her rescue easier, Daniel thought with a resigned sigh. He lifted her into his arms, glancing about the room but not seeing any belongings that might be hers.
He carried her out and started down the stairs. The constable guarding the door held it open for him, and Daniel walked outside, relieved he didn’t have to worry about defending himself and the woman as he left this time.
The coachman must’ve spotted him as he drew the carriage forward. The footman hopped down and opened the door.
“You found her?” Beatrice’s astonishment stung.
Did she truly have so little faith in him?
“Indeed. Unfortunately, she seems to have fainted.” He managed to step inside with her and set her next to Beatrice.
“Miss Ramsey.” Beatrice leaned close to gently pat her cheek but still she didn’t stir. “Sarah.”
“I’ll return directly,” he advised Beatrice.
“Where are you going?”
“To see if anything was left behind.” He didn’t explain that he meant Finch.
“Wait!”
He shut the door on Beatrice’s protest. There was no time to argue. He looked up at the coachman. “If I don’t return in a quarter of an hour, return to Aberland House. I’ll find my own way home.”
“Very well, sir.”
Daniel returned to the brothel but rather than entering through the front door, he hurried down the steps to the rear door only to find it locked. Hoping a constable might be guarding it as well, he knocked, pleased when the door opened.
The constable nodded as Daniel entered. But it took only a glance to realize Finch was nowhere to be seen. He continued toward the reception room where Hurdy
