for an arrest.”
Beatrice was touched that Daniel appeared to be as upset about the situation as she. So much so, that he ventured to the brothel to see what he could observe. The idea that she wasn’t alone in her concern warmed her heart. But she also knew that being so close to the establishment meant he’d been in danger and that frightened her more than she cared to admit.
She touched his arm briefly in alarm. “What did you do?”
“Pierre and I wanted to get a feel for what sort of business the place did and the type of men who visit it.” He shrugged casually as if it were of no consequence.
Yet his expression tightened, and she knew immediately there was more to the story. “Tell me.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” His disarming smile didn’t fool her.
“Then surely you can share the details.”
“We watched the building for a time then took a closer look.”
“You went inside?” She couldn’t think of any other way for them to do so, and she was appalled at the risk they’d taken.
“We merely climbed the fence, and I looked in the window. The place was fairly busy and quite a few people were in the reception area.”
“Dear heaven. Then you did see Finch. Did he see you?” Somehow she knew there was more than he’d shared thus far.
“He saw something,” Daniel admitted whilst he took her hand in his, his fingers sliding over hers gently. “He sent two men outside to check.”
“My goodness. Thank heaven you weren’t caught.” She gently squeezed his hand at what might’ve happened. Mr. Finch wasn’t the sort to tolerate anyone snooping. The more experienced women seemed terrified of him.
“Your concern warms me.”
The smile he gave her returned her thoughts to him. His golden eyes held on hers and reawakened the quiver in her middle.
“I’d hate to think what might’ve happened if they’d found you.” She shuddered at the very idea. “I couldn’t live with myself if you were injured on my behalf, Mr. Walker.”
“Daniel,” he said with a gentle smile. “It seems more appropriate after all we’ve been through together.”
“Very well, Daniel. If you’ll call me Beatrice.” The connection between them felt even stronger. She licked her suddenly dry lips. “But please don’t step into danger on my account.”
He placed his other hand over their joined ones, the warmth of it seeping through her. “When Pierre and I were doing our best to evade the guards’ pursuit, it only made my admiration for you grow. I don’t understand how you managed to not only escape that chamber, but the house, and make your way along the dark streets. That was no easy feat.”
It was a good thing she was seated, for the admiration in his expression made her knees weak. And it certainly made her breathless. “I did what anyone would have done.”
“That’s not true. You have only to think of Mary to know it.”
She shook her head at the thought of the other woman. “I keep thinking of her. How many others are in the same situation?”
“We shall get to the bottom of it and put a stop to Finch. But allow me to worry about that.”
“Mr. Walker,” she began only to pause at his raised brow. “Daniel, I mean.” Saying his given name felt incredibly intimate. “You’ve already done so much for me. Too much.”
Their knees pressed together as he leaned close. “I’m only doing what I think is right.” He reached out to draw a finger along her cheek. “While I might have read about such practices in the broadsheet, I never had a personal connection to it before now. Knowing you has made it impossible to sit idly by and hope the authorities put an end to the business.”
Heart hammering, she placed her hand over his on her cheek, loving the feel of his warm skin against hers. “That is much more than other men would do.”
His gaze dropped to her lips and heat suffused her body.
“I like to think I’m not other men.”
“You certainly are not.” The words were a breathy whisper but all she could manage. If she didn’t know better, she’d guess he was thinking about kissing her. But that couldn’t possibly be true.
Could it?
“Beatrice?”
She adored the sound of her name on his lips, especially when he said it in a hushed whisper. “Yes?”
“I don’t wish to take advantage of our acquaintance, but I should very much like to kiss you.”
“I should very much like that too.” The flutter inside her became a