that she’d been drugged, and it was no wonder she remembered little, between that and her fear. However, the conversation would have to wait until they were alone again.
“Have patience with yourself. The details you’ve shared are still helpful, and I appreciate them as well as your efforts.”
She nodded, seeming to take heart from his encouragement, and they continued to the next one.
“It’s shocking how many of these establishments there are,” he muttered, amused when the maid nodded.
“The darker side of mankind is troubling.” Beatrice looked out the window, but he had the impression she saw something different than the passing buildings. “We caught glimpses of it in our village. Since my father was a vicar, we often helped to deal with the results.”
Her remark made him curious as to what those situations might’ve been. “How challenging.”
“I thought so at the time, but most of those problems seem minor compared to the ones in London.”
“I’m certain the people you assisted were grateful for your aid.”
Suddenly she gasped, eyes wide as she stared out the window. “That’s it. That is the place.” She drew back as if fearful of being seen by the occupants. As if that alone would somehow pull her back inside. Yet her gaze remained fixed on the house.
He placed his hand on hers, hoping the contact eased her fear, as he studied the three-story building. It was certainly a questionable looking place. Though nice at one time, age and lack of care had taken over. Paint peeled in several places. The wrought-iron bars on the two upper stories had been crafted to look elegant with curves and embellishments. But they were still bars. It was curious that they were on the upper levels and not the lower one.
A glance at Beatrice showed tears glittering in her eyes as she tried to hold back her emotions. “What if Mary is still in there?”
“Then we will do all we can to free her and any other women who didn’t choose that life of their own accord.” While he knew some women worked in a brothel as they considered it better than selling their wares on the rough streets, they might not have had much of a choice either. Many were forced into prostitution in order to keep from starving or to feed their children. Life was rarely kind, especially for the poor.
He scowled at the thought as he studied the building again. Though he couldn’t save everyone being mistreated in London, surely saving even one made his mission worthwhile. After all, this wasn’t a question of numbers, but a question of life. Even one person saved made a difference.
“What do you intend to do?” Beatrice asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Though he dearly wanted to march through the front door and open each room to free those who wished it, he knew he wouldn’t get far. Beatrice had mentioned the guard at the back door when she’d left. He was probably one of several.
“I will share the address with Mr. Hurdy and urge him to take immediate action.”
He tapped on the roof of the carriage, wanting to take Beatrice away from this place that held such terrible memories.
As if she couldn’t tear her gaze away, she watched the house as they rolled forward, turning her head to keep it in view as long as possible. “Poor Mary. I wish she would’ve come with me.”
“Fear is a difficult emotion to manage. It forces us to make choices we never would’ve believed possible. Some react to it with courage. Oftentimes, it’s easier to face the known than the unknown.”
He had spent a considerable amount of time pondering bravery in the face of adversity when he’d learned all that Richard had faced while spying for England. The thought of what his brother had witnessed in France when he’d lost friends and been left for dead made Daniel wonder how he would’ve reacted in Richard’s stead.
But he’d never know. He would never experience that situation or be tested in such a manner. He liked to think he would act with courage. Learning savate fighting skills was one way for him to make certain he would be prepared if the moment ever came.
However, the few times he’d had the opportunity to test his abilities had been less than satisfactory. While he’d managed to chase away a thief who’d held a knife as well as two others who’d accosted him, throwing a few strikes and well-placed kicks, even though he’d been outnumbered, hadn’t proven anything.
Perhaps