Now that she waited in his bedchamber, she wasn’t so sure.
Pierre hadn’t been certain when Daniel would return home but didn’t think he’d be too late.
As time passed, Beatrice couldn’t settle. She paced, she watched out the window, she read a few pages of a book, put more coals on the fire, but nothing held her attention for long. Should she return to Aberland House or wait a bit longer?
No. If she wanted to convince Daniel that she knew her own mind, this would prove it to him. She loved him and wanted a life with him. But the idea of telling him that was unnerving when she wasn’t certain how he felt.
The clock downstairs struck midnight, the chimes echoing through the house. Where could he be? What kept him out so late?
With a weary sigh, she sank onto Daniel’s bed where the covers had already been turned down, unable to keep her eyes open any longer. Surely resting a few minutes while she waited wouldn’t hurt. As she settled on his pillow, his scent filled her senses, and thoughts of him followed her into her dreams.
DANIEL EXITED THE CARRIAGE and glanced up at the driver. “Return in half an hour.” That should give him enough time to see if Finch was inside this brothel. The other one he’d spent several hours watching had yielded nothing.
The driver nodded and soon the clopping of the horse’s hooves faded into the darkness. The hour had grown late, past midnight, but he hoped his efforts might yet be rewarded.
Finch had to be somewhere.
This establishment served wealthier clientele and catered to certain unique tastes. The lure of having the whole affair over had Daniel walking forward slowly in search of a window in which he could look. There would be no purpose in trying to gain entrance if Finch wasn’t inside.
The lock on the garden gate groaned loudly in protest as he tried to force it open. He glanced about, heart pounding, to see if the sound caught anyone’s notice.
A nearby door opened with a loud click. Daniel held his breath as he knelt along the fence. A long minute passed as he waited to see if anyone came looking.
At last, he heard the door close and released a relieved breath, making a mental note to avoid the gate on the way out. He paused to gain his bearings and settle his heartbeat, then eased toward the window. He moved carefully, unwilling to be caught in the garden where his chances of escape were limited.
He wound through the hedges to the window where a slight part in the drapes gave him hope of a view. Whoever had decorated the other brothels had also lent a hand with this one. He’d be hard-pressed to tell the reception rooms apart.
Burgundy drapes with gold tassels, chairs with tufted velvet of the same shade, and a sideboard with decanters and glasses. A pianoforte stood in the corner where a woman in a sheer chemise began to play a bawdy song that apparently shared the delights of the women available.
“Her dark brown locks, both above and below, promise a luscious treat,” the woman sang. “Any lucky enough to view her bountiful twin stars of white alabaster will experience a great delight.” She glanced over her shoulder and winked at a customer.
Daniel could only shake his head, returning his focus to the men in the room. His gaze swept around the room before slowing to study the occupants. One looked like Finch, but his back was to the window. Impatience washed over Daniel, giving him the urge to rap his knuckles against the pane to catch the man’s attention.
Then the man moved, his pale blue eyes looking directly at Daniel. The illusive Joseph Finch.
Daniel stilled, hoping against hope the darkness hid him. At last, Finch turned back to face the room.
The close call left Daniel’s nerves stretched tautly. Now he need only enter the brothel and—
And what? His mind went blank as he climbed over the garden fence. How did he capture Finch? He should’ve brought Richard or Pierre along. What had he been thinking? He landed on the other side only to realize the dark mass before him wasn’t a hedge. The form leapt toward him.
Daniel dodged the man’s outstretched arms then shoved him back, sending him toppling.
“Catch him!” a voice to his left called out.
Another shadow rushed toward him. Daniel blocked the punch and landed a solid kick to the man’s thigh, causing him to cry out in pain as he backed away. The first man gained his feet, his large size making Daniel realize he was the same man he’d encountered when freeing Mary. He lunged for Daniel. A sharp jab struck Daniel in the side, a reminder to keep his arms up to better protect himself. Pierre would be disappointed with his sloppiness. Daniel landed two strikes of his own along with a kick and knocked the man down again.
His second opponent hit Daniel’s jaw, stunning him briefly. But Daniel regained his senses and swung, punching the man in the stomach. His opponent doubled over, gasping. Daniel clasped his hands together and hit him on the back, which sent him to the ground.
Winded, Daniel studied the two prone men, just visible in the dim streetlight. Then an arm snaked around Daniel’s neck, choking him as the sharp prick of a knife bit against his throat. He jerked against the arm to no avail.
“Move an inch, and I’ll slit your throat, Walker.”
The fact that the man knew Daniel’s name was alarming. A sudden knowing came over Daniel. “We meet at last, Finch.”
“You’ve been sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, costing me money.”
“And you’ve been taking women against their will to use in your brothel.” At the thought of Beatrice and her narrow escape, a wave of anger coursed through Daniel.
Finch’s quiet chuckle further enraged him. “Those women came to London seeking work. I give them a job that
