Dauntless (Gentlemen of the Order 1)

“It wasn’t your publisher who caused the fire, ma’am,” Bower said, drawing his thick arms to his chest so the servants could squeeze past and return to the kitchen with their pans. “He came here earlier, not long after you left for the ball. He hid in the entrance to the alley. Waited there for a time.”

Noah cursed between clenched teeth. “How do you know it was her publisher?”

“Jonah identified him. He kept watch in Tavistock Street this afternoon.”

“How long did Mr Hemming remain in the alley?” Eva’s strained tone conveyed her anxiety.

“Half an hour, ma’am. He walked to the door a few times, but couldn’t raise the courage to knock.”

Eva lifted her chin. “Well, I suppose that’s some consolation. Hopefully, he won’t bother me a—”

A loud bang on the front door made her jump.

Her nerves must be strung as tight as a bow.

“That might be Jonah, sir.”

Eva glanced over the bannister. “Who is it, Bardsley?”

It wasn’t Jonah, but a matron from the hospital come to offer assistance. Eva hurried downstairs to reassure the woman who explained she’d sent a porter to alert a constable.

“Have you noticed any other suspicious activity to

night?” Noah asked Bower while Eva was out of earshot. “Something besides the fact I’m standing here in nothing but my breeches.”

A flicker of a smile touched Bower’s lips. “A penny boy brought a note. I have it here in my pocket, sir.” He tapped his chest. “Mr Daventry told me to intercept anyone who came knocking.”

“Is the note addressed to Miss Dunn?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll give it to the lady when she returns.”

Noah nodded despite itching to know the contents and the identity of the sender.

“The fiend who threw the bottle, was he on horseback or foot?” Noah said.

“Foot, sir. I thought he was heading to the hospital, but then he crossed the road and disappeared into the alley. Jonah got ready to follow him, but the blackguard suddenly leapt from the shadows and hurled the bottle at the window.”

“Then he’s done this before.” Noah scratched his head. The crime bore the mark of a heartless devil. Someone who didn’t care if an innocent woman and her servants perished in a blaze. “Few men would hit the target the first time.”

“There are capable thugs for hire if one’s brave enough to enter the belly of St Giles, sir.”

The Turners employed just such men to carry out their evil threats. Yet every instinct said the scoundrels were not to blame.

“That’s all for now,” he said. “Give Miss Dunn the note and then find Jonah. I want to question the reprobate before a constable arrives.”

“Yes, sir.”

Bower hastened downstairs. Noah went to inspect Howard Dunn’s bedchamber, mindful not to tread on the shards of glass. He tore the sodden sheets and blankets off the bed, made sure the mattress and frame were not kindling and about to burst into flames. And then set about performing another important task.

“Noah!” Eva’s panicked voice echoed along the landing. She came charging into her brother’s bedchamber wearing her spectacles. “Noah, I have something to show—” She stopped abruptly when she found him sitting on the floor amid wet blankets and Howard Dunn’s ruined boots. “What on earth are you doing?”

He raised his hand and dangled a pretty topaz necklace. “I believe this is yours.”

She gasped, her eyes more dazzling than any precious gem. “My mother’s necklace! Heavens. I never thought to see it again.” She dropped to her knees beside him, snatching it from his grasp before kissing him quickly on the mouth.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she stared at the delicate gold scrollwork. Happiness radiated, oozed from every fibre of her being. Knots formed in his chest as he held out his hand and offered her the ruby brooch.

The gesture earned him another kiss.