A Simple Case of Seduction

“Agreed.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Then let us start as we mean to go on. As a friend and colleague worried for your safety, I insist—” He stopped abruptly and tutted. “I suggest you allow Bostock to act as your chaperone until I can investigate the matter further.”

A few weeks ago, she would have given him a lecture on a woman’s ability to be independent, but she couldn’t shake the strange sense of foreboding.

While still contemplating her response, the carriage jerked to a halt near the entrance to the market in Covent Garden.

“Let me accompany you to the molly-house, and we can discuss the matter of Mr Bostock on our return journey.”

The corners of Thorpe’s mouth twitched. “Your attempt at manipulation is unnecessary. After what you’ve told me, I don’t intend to let you out of my sight.”

Chapter 5

Covent Garden bustled with people eager to buy from the vast array of market traders hawking their wares. Amid the loud cries of sellers desperate to attract attention now the rain had stopped, a man could hardly focus on a thought. Over-laden carts blocked the street. Strewn baskets of rotten vegetables failed to draw paying customers though the rats made the most of the bounty of opportunity.

Daniel gripped the tips of Daphne Chambers’ fingers as he assisted her from the carriage. “The house we want is a few minutes’ walk, but with this rabble blocking the road Murphy has no hope of dropping us any closer.”

As s

oon as he released her, Mrs Chambers slapped a gloved hand over her nose. “Heavens above,” she mumbled.

“The residents have petitioned for something to be done about the putrid stench. It’s worse when it rains and the market’s busy.”

Mrs Chambers lowered her hand. “Once the initial shock has subsided, and my stomach decides not to cast up its contents, then I know it’s safe to breathe.”

Daniel offered his arm and, after staring at it for longer than necessary, she placed her hand in the crook.

They’d taken no more than ten steps when a man with a beaten top hat and threadbare coat approached them. From his shifty gaze, it was obvious whatever he was selling had been acquired by ill-gotten means.

“Can I interest you genteel folk in a fine bottle of rum?” the fellow said in a broad Irish accent as he whipped open his coat to reveal a dusty brown bottle. “Five gills will cost but three shillings.”

“Three shillings?” Mrs Chambers said in astonishment. “I could buy two bottles for that price.”

The fellow winked. “Bless the Lord. The lady is canny when it comes to business. Two shillings and sixpence and it’s yours.”

“Do I look like a man who enjoys drinking watered-down pizzle?” Daniel countered.

“Pizzle? This fair stuff’s so strong it’ll burn your throat. It was given to me by an old sea-faring captain who’s just returned from the Indies.” The fellow offered a toothless grin. “Will ya not help a poor man fill his belly?”

“I’ll help any man with manners.” Daniel straightened to his full height. “Had you resisted the urge to accost a lady in the street, then I might have offered assistance.”

“Then a fool I am, sir. A man’s mind is muddled when his stomach’s growling,” the fellow replied but Daniel ignored him and led Mrs Chambers away.

“It wouldn’t have hurt to give him a penny,” she said, glancing back at the beggar as he moved to try his luck with another punter.

It was such statements that reinforced her unsuitability to work on the streets. “And do you honestly think he’d use the money to buy food?”

“We could have bought him a meat pie.”

“And watch him turn his nose up at our generosity. There are better ways to help the poor than supporting their need to sell stolen spirits.”

Mrs Chambers sighed. “As always, I suspect you’re right.”

After dodging two boys clutching a stolen loaf while a baker chased their heels, Daniel turned the corner and escorted his companion to the house on Maiden Lane.

“As I’ve never been to such an establishment before,” Daphne Chambers began as she searched the facade with some curiosity, “I doubt it is as easy as you knocking the door and fluttering your long lashes.”

“Is that your way of saying you think my eyes possess a feminine quality?” Daniel mocked.

A sweet smile lit up her face as she stared into his eyes. It was a vision he’d pictured on many a cold, lonely night.