have ourselves a nice chat.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Eat before it grows cold,” the housekeeper ordered.
Beatrice nodded as she reached for the warm chocolate. She didn’t think she’d ever tasted anything so lovely.
“I’ll tell you right now that Mr. Walker is a proper gentleman,” Mrs. Beverly continued as she tidied up the room. “You’ve nothing to worry about with him.”
Beatrice glanced at Mr. Walker to see an amused expression softening his face.
“Thank you, Mrs. Beverly.” He dipped his head, a hint of a smile curling the corner of his mouth. “I appreciate your confidence in me.”
The woman smoothed her gown. “My pleasure. Your breakfast will be ready when you are, sir.” She bobbed a curtsy and departed.
It took all of Beatrice’s will to stop from gobbling down the delicious meal. But with Mr. Walker watching her, she did her best to eat slowly, pausing often to enjoy the chocolate. He spoke of inconsequential matters, including the weather, and avoided asking questions as if aware that would keep her from eating.
As her father used to say, a good meal could cure many ills, and she felt much restored by the time she’d eaten half. There was no possibility of finishing it all.
Now that her stomach was full, weariness dragged at her once again.
“Why don’t you rest?” he suggested as if her exhaustion were written on her face. “We can visit further later.”
She could hardly keep her eyes open as he removed the tray and left the room. Though she didn’t like to take advantage of the man’s kindness, determining how to proceed would have to wait until she felt better. To her surprise, images of her handsome rescuer comforted her in her dreams, especially his smile and those golden eyes.
DANIEL FINISHED HIS breakfast then moved to the study, his thoughts still on Miss Linfield. Her story was shocking. Horrifying, in fact. Had what she’d endured been all the more terrifying to her because she was a vicar’s daughter and most likely led a sheltered life?
He admired her pluck for having escaped the brothel and shuddered to think of what might’ve happened if she hadn’t. From what she had told him, she’d narrowly escaped before being forced into prostitution.
The authorities needed to be informed of the situation. Perhaps after resting more, she’d be ready to speak with them.
What had brought her to London to find employment rather than staying in her village and marrying? Her honey-colored hair, creamy skin, and even features were appealing. Appealing? Who was he kidding? They were lovely. She was a very attractive woman.
Those large blue—no, they were more grey—eyes might hold wariness now, but he wondered what they’d look like filled with joy. The thought of her as a servant in someone’s household made him grimace. He well knew what happened to attractive female servants. The master often considered them fair game, no matter how wrong it was.
Her tale was so disturbing that it was almost difficult to believe. Yet he didn’t doubt her for a moment. The question was where did they go from here? She knew no one and was completely alone in the world. Did she by chance have possessions stowed somewhere?
The thought of having nothing to claim as his own and no family to aid him made him empathize with his unexpected guest. She was in a terrible predicament, but it could’ve ended far worse.
While he and Richard hadn’t always been close, he liked to think they were now, and he had no doubt his brother would be there if he needed him. A part of Daniel still resented the fact that Richard had never advised him that he was a spy. He’d told Daniel additional lies to cover the truth, including that their family had a serious lack of funds. Daniel was proud of Richard and all he’d sacrificed to aid England’s war efforts. But the realization that his brother hadn’t trusted him with the truth pained him.
The issue was something Daniel was still working through. Perhaps that was why he kept his fair share of secrets from Richard. Since his brother was now married and he and Caroline were expecting a child, Daniel didn’t know if they would ever resolve the issues that stood between them. Was Richard even aware of the distance?
Daniel shook his head at his circling thoughts. He was grateful to have his brother in his life even if their relationship wasn’t perfect.
Deciding it best to allow Miss Linfield to sleep as long as possible, he settled behind