A Rogue to the Rescue (The Rogue Chronicles #4) - Lana Williams Page 0,19

been the one to deliver the drugged meal to Beatrice?

He drew a slow, deep breath to control his temper. He didn’t want to beat the man in front of Beatrice, even if that was what he deserved after what he’d done. But the man would pay eventually.

Mr. Johnson returned and placed something on the counter. “There it is. No harm done.”

Beatrice’s relieved look as she retrieved a silver and onyx brooch eased Daniel’s anger.

“Now then, how would you like to pay for the final night of lodging?” Mr. Johnson asked as he pulled the ledger closer.

Beatrice looked up in surprise.

“We will not be paying for anything.” Daniel leaned forward to glare in the man’s face. “And you will no longer drug those who stay here. If I hear a whisper of you allowing anyone entrance so they can take a defenseless person to a brothel or any other place against their will, there will be hell to pay. Do I make myself clear?” Daniel intended to do all in his power to see this man and his wife arrested. Hurdy needed to quicken his investigation. But Daniel would leave that news as a surprise to Johnson.

The man leaned back, blinking rapidly, as he nodded.

“Give me your word.”

“What?” The man looked incredulous at the demand.

“Your word that neither you nor whoever is behind that door will ever again assist in or look away when a person is taken unwillingly from your establishment.”

Mr. Johnson glanced over his shoulder and then looked back at Daniel. “You have my word.”

“Excellent. Do not force me to call upon you again. You won’t like what happens if I do.” Daniel closed the trunk lid and fastened the lock, lifted it, and offered Beatrice his arm.

To his surprise, she didn’t move, continuing to glare at Mr. Johnson. “You caused me terrible distress and fear. The sort of fear I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. May God forgive you and your wife for what you have done to the poor souls who came before me.” Then she turned and marched to the door without looking back.

Mr. Johnson’s shoulders sagged as his gaze drifted downward. Perhaps Beatrice’s words had done more to get through to the man than Daniel’s.

Daniel smiled as he followed his plucky companion out the door.

BEATRICE’S ENTIRE BODY shook as she settled into the carriage beside the waiting maid.

“Are you well, miss?” Sally asked.

Beatrice nodded. Facing Mr. Johnson had taken all her strength. She closed her eyes as Daniel joined them, not wanting to see his expression. He must believe her a gullible fool to have been caught in such a scheme.

“Miss Linfield, I applaud you.”

Beatrice popped open her eyes in surprise to see Daniel regarding her from across the carriage.

“You didn’t even need me there to offer support.” He waved a hand in the air as if to dismiss his presence. “You handled the situation with firm control and still managed to make him feel guilty. Well done.”

His look of admiration had her smiling as the carriage rolled forward. “I detest feeling helpless.”

“You didn’t appear helpless for even a moment. I’m pleased we were able to retrieve your trunk.”

“Mrs. Johnson was the one who delivered the meals, and I have no doubt she knew what they contained.” Beatrice lifted her chin. “The thought of her in possession of my mother’s brooch was more than I could bear.”

“Anger is preferable to fear. Outrage does quite nicely too.”

Beatrice lifted a brow. “I can’t imagine you experiencing fear.”

With his broad shoulders and fit physique not to mention his confidence, he seemed capable of handling any trouble that came his way. She’d witnessed him doing just that twice in their short acquaintance, acting as heroic as someone in the pages of a story.

He’d carried her to safety without a second thought. And the forceful way he’d confronted Mr. Johnson sent her heart thudding with awe and admiration. Yet she also knew him to be kind and thoughtful. He was a man of many layers, and she liked them all.

He smiled even as something dark lingered in the depths of his eyes. “Everyone experiences fear at one time or another. But not allowing it to keep you from taking action is where true courage lies. You have that in spades, Miss Linfield.”

He shifted his attention to the window, leaving her to reflect on his comment.

His view of her was so different than her own that it made her reconsider herself. Though tempted to cower in the corner when she woke in