flurry as the confession escaped her lips before she had time to consider the wisdom of her admission.
Then he smiled, the tilt of his lips stealing the few thoughts she had left. He drew closer until the warmth of his body merged with hers, their breaths mingling. Still he hesitated, anticipation filling her until she could hardly bear it. Until she began to worry that he’d changed his mind.
Or was he giving her time to change hers?
Then he took her lips with his, the feel of them firm as if he had no doubt what he wanted. Need spiraled through her as her senses reeled. How could a simple touching of their lips make her feel so much? The few chaste kisses she’d shared with her betrothed hadn’t been anything like this.
Then Daniel’s mouth moved over hers, deepening the kiss, and her world opened and passion flooded in. His hand cupped her cheek while his other hand held hers, their thighs pressed together. Three points of contact—yet she wanted so much more.
“Beatrice,” he muttered as he drew back to look at her. The desire darkening his eyes sent her heart spinning.
She latched onto it tight, doing her best to halt it. This moment surely didn’t mean to him what it meant to her.
“You are so special,” he continued. “I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”
She blinked at his words, trying to hold back the emotions they brought forth. “You are the special one, Daniel. A man of honor. The man who rescued me.”
He eased back, his expression unreadable as he lifted her hand to briefly press his lips to the back of it. “Thank you for the kiss.” The corner of his mouth quirked upward, and something inside her shifted with that small movement. “I’ve been wanting to do that for some time now.”
Shocked at the admission, she didn’t know how to reply.
“I’m sorry to say I must be going,” he said with some regret. “But please know I will continue to press Hurdy to arrest Finch. The moment he does, I’ll advise you.”
He stood and she did as well, pleased her legs held her, considering the tumult inside her.
“Actually,” she began, struggling to remember why she’d asked him to call. “I wondered if you’d be willing to accompany me to the servant registry office. I intend to confront the clerk who misled me, demand he return my references, and speak with whoever is in charge.”
He hesitated as if surprised by her request.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I thought to visit there to see what I could find. But I didn’t want to ask you to join me for fear of upsetting you.”
“I would be happy to do so if you were with me.” She bit her lip, realizing how forward she sounded. Perhaps she shouldn’t admit how much his presence reassured her, but it was the truth.
“Would you be able to go on the morrow?” At her nod, he added, “I’ll call for you then.” He smiled. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Beatrice.”
“And you, Daniel.” She watched him go, wondering how she could possibly slow her growing feelings for the intriguing man. One thing she knew for certain—their outing wouldn’t help.
Chapter Seven
Daniel had several things he wanted to say to Beatrice the following afternoon as they drove toward the servant registry office, but the presence of the maid kept him from saying any of them.
Perhaps it was for the best. In fact, he should apologize for kissing her rather than telling her how much he admired her courage. Or how beautiful he thought she was. Or how clever. He didn’t want her to get the wrong idea.
He frowned as he kept his gaze on the passing scenery, wondering what the ‘wrong idea’ was exactly.
“Is something amiss?” Beatrice asked.
“Not at all. I was just thinking of how to prove there’s a tie between the registry office and the brothel. Hurdy seems reluctant to believe it.”
“Then he’s wrong. I have no doubt there is.”
Her heated response made him regret mentioning it, even though it was true. But he couldn’t share what—or rather, who—held his thoughts.
He’d told himself Beatrice was always on his mind because he was working on the investigation. Thinking of it meant he was also thinking of her.
But after their kiss, he couldn’t lie to himself anymore. The unusual events surrounding the lady might have caught his attention at first. Yet she continued to hold it firmly, and that had nothing to do with the investigation.
Perhaps once