her hands on her hips, glaring at the man. “He’s a bloody fool is what Clancy is, can’t hold his liquor. How come he’s sleeping?”
“Daniel put him to sleep,” Abby said.
Dimity clapped her hands. “Did he now? That is good news. Clancy has had that coming for years. Are you all right, Abby?”
“I’m fine; he did not hurt me. Daniel arrived before anything could happen.”
“My hero.” Dimity batted her eyelashes. “How wonderful that you are here this evening. Abby has talked of you constantly.”
“Dimity! That is not true at all.” He could see the color in her cheeks, and Daniel had to say he was pleased. It only seemed fair she’d thought about him as he had her.
“I shouldn’t have let you come again tonight. I knew it would be busy. Gus’s barmaid has cut her hand on a glass, and one of his staff couldn’t make it, so I’m helping out.”
“Can I help?” Abby asked.
“No! Dear lord, if your brothers heard you were here it would be bad enough, but working too…. Good lord, it doesn’t bear thinking of.”
“Dimity.” The name was a caution.
Both women shot Daniel a look, and he wondered what it was Dimity had been about to say.
“Sorry. Let me tell Gus I’m walking you home, he’ll just have to cope—”
“I can manage the walk home, Dimity, don’t worry. I know the way, after all, and it is not far.”
Was she actually serious? Walking alone at this time of night in London? He’d just been held at gunpoint; he doubted Abby would have escaped the situation as easily as he had. Daniel was not letting anything happen to her even if he did miss his flute lesson.
“No. You can’t do that, something could happen and then your brothers would kill me. I have no wish to die before I find a rich husband,” Dimity said, which had both women giggling.
“I’ll walk her home,” Daniel offered.
Dimity stared at him. A long, searching look.
“I do not need you walking me home, Daniel, as I am more than capable of doing so myself,” Abby said. “I shall leave now and be home in under twenty minutes.”
“You bloody well will not!” Dimity exploded.
“What if you are accosted by a man like him en route?” Daniel looked at the now twitching form of Clancy below them. He’d be awake shortly.
“I don’t really know you, and it wouldn’t be right for me to walk home alone with a man.”
“Yes, you do know me,” Daniel said. “We spent several hours sharing confidences and singing along, terribly I might add, with the man you adore.” He pointed to where Eros still sat crooning. “You are not walking the London streets at this time of night alone.”
“I will be safe,” Abby added quickly. “No one will even notice me.”
“Someone attempted to rob me on my way to the Duck and Goose,” Daniel said. “He had a gun.”
“No!” Dimity said.
“Is that the truth?” Abby looked doubtful.
“It’s hardly something I would lie about.”
“He does seem nice, Abby, and I liked him right off, as you did. His eyes are kind. A gentleman.” Dimity leaned in to take a closer look at Daniel. “You even said as much. Plus, no one will ever find out that he is walking you home.”
“I assure you, I am a good man.” Well, most of the time. Why did it matter if he walked her home? After all, she wasn’t encumbered by the ridiculous rules that society had to follow. A woman of noble blood could be ruined just being seen alone with a man.
“I’ll vouch for his character.”
“You know Daniel, Toddy?” Dimity asked the question as the man appeared beside them.
“I do. He and his brother use us for their building work. Pay’s good, and always on time. Good men, him and Ace, no getting around that fact.”
“Toddy wouldn’t lie, Abby. If he says Mr. Dillinger is a good man, then he is,” Dimity said.
“Dimity, I can walk home alone,” Abby gritted out. “And have done so before.”
“I cannot allow it, and no, you have not, so don’t try and fool me. You either go with him or I walk you. Make it quick. Clancy is waking, and he’ll be a right bear when he realizes what happened,” Dimity said.
“Oh, very well.”
“So gracious,” Daniel murmured, which earned him a glare.
“I shall see you in the morning for practice, Abby.” Dimity gave her a hug. “Make sure she gets home safely,” she added before hurrying away.