people. You don't. I'm taking you home, so save your breath."
She did. Georgina held her mouth tight in furious silence as they hurried down one alley and dirty street after another until they came to the respectable part of town where Blucher had left her. Then she lifted her skirt, dodged beneath the noses of a team of horses pulling a carriage, and ducked into the nearest shop before Daniel could follow.
The shop owner looked startled as she darted inside, looking bedraggled and forlorn, but he was all solicitous kindness when he recognized her.
"I've had a small accident." Georgina smiled wryly, shaking out her skirt as she appropriated a chair. "Is there someone you could send around to Mulloney's? I need Peter to take me home."
The shopkeeper was already shouting at someone in the back when a large shadow filled the doorway. Georgina scowled at the sight of Daniel standing there in shirtsleeves and ink stains. He would ruin everything.
"I'll step around and speak to Mr. Mulloney. I was heading that direction anyway." Daniel gave the shop owner an obliging smile.
Caught, Georgina couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't reveal she knew who he was, and she didn't think now was an opportune time for that. Mr. Daniel Martin had a propensity for wanting things his way, just like any jackass.
"That's very kind of you, sir," she murmured with syrupy politeness. "There aren't many gallant knights willing to come to a lady's rescue in this day and age."
That made him frown, and he turned around and walked out without a word to her.
Daniel was in no humor for the carpeted aisles and glittering chandelier of Mulloney's Department Store as he stalked in covered in grime and in working man's attire. The clerks stared disapprovingly, making it obvious he had no place in here. That inched his temper another notch higher. Only the prospect that he was finally coming face-to-face with his brother kept his feet moving. Otherwise, mayhem would have been his preference.
He knew precisely where the office was. He'd had a good teacher who had taught him to always know the lay of the land. Remembering the lesson he'd learned from his good friend Benjamin, Daniel modified his step somewhat. He was in enemy territory now. It would pay to be cautious.
The office door was closed, and yelling echoed from within. The secretary who usually guarded the desk had disappeared, presumably to gossip about the free-for-all ensuing in the inner sanctum. Daniel smiled a little more confidently. He had a good notion of the cause of that argument. He was going to enjoy walking in on it to tell of a maiden's need for rescue. Then he could really see what these people were made of. He already suspected he wouldn't like what he found out.
Daniel knocked politely, but no one responded. The argument escalated into a one-sided yelling match. If that was the old man in there, he had a strong set of lungs. Hiding a smile of anticipation, Daniel swung the door open. This was a civilized city office after all, not a place for the six-guns and dynamite he'd had pulled on him in the past. All these city slickers could do was yell, and he'd been yelled at by the best.
The instant the door swung open, the room fell silent. Two remarkably similar faces turned to stare at him. One was older, lined with age and crowned by silver hair, but the defiantly square jaw and glittering emerald eyes were identical to the younger version standing next to him. The black-haired younger man stepped forward with a scowl.
"This is a private office. Please leave."
Daniel managed to keep his hands out of his pockets and a smile off his face by remembering Georgina's plight. Still, he took his time taking in the man who was almost certainly his younger brother. There wasn't any resemblance that he could see. Peter Mulloney was handsome in the fashionable sense with the broad, tall figure and dark good looks that women admired. He was attired immaculately in starched collar and conservative tie and coat. The only concession he made to humanity was a small frown between his eyes as he stared at his unwanted guest.
"Miss Hanover sent me. She's had a small accident and seems to be in need of rescuing. She's around the corner at the shoemaker's."
Worry and irritation crossed Peter's face in equal proportions. "Is she all right? Do we need to send for a physician?"
"She's fine,