A Rogue to the Rescue (The Rogue Chronicles #4) - Lana Williams Page 0,80

and the men who’d entered the brothel. Thank goodness none of them had been hurt.

“Daniel, I’m so sorry about all this. I should’ve been honest with Sarah in my letter and explained in detail what happened to me.” Her pride had kept her from doing so. She hadn’t wanted anyone in her village to learn about those terrible events. But what purpose was there in protecting her own reputation when it had risked Sarah’s life?

“There is no need for you to apologize.” His quiet, deep voice held an odd note, one she couldn’t decipher. “Neither you nor Mary nor Sarah is at fault in any way.”

Beatrice blinked back tears, wishing she could believe him. The closeness they’d shared in the past few days had vanished, leaving her chilled. She had no idea how to get it back.

“I’m certain you’re tired after what you endured today,” he continued. “You should rest while you can. Miss Ramsey will no doubt require much of your time on the morrow.”

“Sally is with her now.” She wanted Daniel to know Caroline wasn’t tending Sarah while Beatrice did nothing.

“All the more reason you should seek your bed. We’ll talk more once Miss Ramsey has recovered.”

Before she could think of an excuse to ask him to stay, he’d gone. Not once had he touched her. Did that mean their betrothal was at an end? Despair filled her at the thought.

With slow steps, she made her way to her bedchamber and sank onto the bed. She’d been so certain she had found her place in the world—with Daniel. His distant expression shattered her hope. Now that place with him seemed as impossible as holding a star—ever out of reach.

DANIEL LOOKED UP FROM the correspondence he’d been reviewing at his desk as Richard walked into the study late the following morning.

Alarm filled him. “Is all well? Did something happen with Miss Ramsey?”

“She is as good as can be expected. However, I was rather surprised not to find you somewhere in my house this morning, so I decided to call on you to make certain you were well.”

“As you can see, I’m fine.” Other than not having achieved any of the things he’d been working toward. The issue continued to fester deep inside him, but a solution had yet to come to mind.

When Beatrice had apologized the previous evening, it had taken all of his reserve to keep from drawing her into his arms. But how could he when the one comfort she deserved—knowing the man who’d ruined her in Society’s eyes, along with numerous other women, had been imprisoned and would be punished for his criminal activities—was something he couldn’t give her?

Until he found a way to make that happen, he intended to keep his distance. Planning a future with her when he’d so badly let her down was impossible.

Richard settled into the chair on the opposite side of his desk, studying Daniel. “You’ve saved not one but three women. You’re becoming quite the hero.”

Daniel scoffed. “Hardly. Last evening, I merely followed the police into the brothel and carried Miss Ramsey to safety.”

“Wasn’t that the purpose of the mission?”

“In part.” Daniel leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “I’d be happier if Finch had been captured.”

“Surely Hurdy is continuing to work toward that end.”

“One would hope so.” Some of his frustration must’ve colored his voice as Richard frowned.

“It sounds as if you don’t trust him to do so.”

“Would you? Then again, you don’t seem to trust anyone.”

“What makes you say that?”

Daniel stared nonplussed at his brother. “Do I truly need to explain?” At Richard’s continued blank look, Daniel added, “Your own brother didn’t know you were a spy for England, or that you were almost killed, let alone that the rest of your life was a lie built around your mission.”

Richard shifted in his chair. “Those were unusual circumstances that are now behind me. You must know that I trust you implicitly.”

“Hmm.” Daniel didn’t believe him.

“Daniel.” Richard stood, placed both hands on the desk, and leaned across to look Daniel in the eye. “I would trust you with my life, with Caroline’s, and that of our soon-to-arrive child.”

Shock left Daniel speechless.

“You have always been there for me,” Richard continued. “Even when I wasn’t always there for you. Your steadfastness, as well as your willingness to reach out, even though I didn’t always do so, has meant the world to me. My apologies if I haven’t made that clear.” He straightened, his gaze shifting across the room as if