A Simple Case of Seduction

“Do you think that’s the first time someone has tried to hurt me?” she snapped.

Anger flared at the thought of anyone laying a hand on her.

Daniel turned on his heels and stomped off to the bedchamber. The whirlwind of emotion in his chest was set to spiral into a raging storm capable of causing total devastation.

She traipsed after him still muttering, but he busied about finding a clean coat and changing his boots, though the image of her ashen face as the cart knocked her to the ground still plagued him. Without saying a word — silence was the only way to guarantee he’d not say something he might regret — he strode past her and waited at the front door.

“You know I’ll not sit at home and wait for your updates.” She sauntered past and climbed into the carriage. “Don’t force me to investigate the matter alone,” she said as he settled into the seat opposite. “I’ve spent far too much time on my own of late. Can we not work together? Can we not put our personal feelings aside and concentrate on the case?”

Her soft, melodic tone spoke to him in a way no other woman ever had. For the umpteenth time, he would have to bow to her whims and demands. The woman was a menace when left to her own devices. And despite being a man of strong conviction, he found he couldn’t refuse Mrs Chambers anything.

Daniel removed his watch and checked the time before replacing it in his pocket. “At this hour, we should find Tranmere at White’s. I’ll call in and speak to him. Then we’ll visit his mistress, Miss Cartwright. Once there, you can leave your stained pelisse in the carriage and accompany me inside. Miss Cartwright’s opinion of what is deemed appropriate hardly matters.”

The smile illuminating her face robbed him of breath.

“You’re a member of White’s?” she said with some surprise.

“Of course not. Do I look like a man with nothing better to do than cross my legs, puff on a cigar and read the newspaper?”

“Then how do you propose to gain entrance?”

There were no doors barred to him. “There’s not a gentleman in the ton who doesn’t owe me a favour. While you harass the modiste for information, I build a list of those in my debt. Ask me for anything, and I can get it for you.”

She tapped her finger to her lips and hummed. “I suspect most ladies would ask for a ruby the size of an apple. Or a chestnut mare with white feet and a pleasant temperament. If I were a woman who believed in whimsical dreams, I’d ask for a home in the countryside, nestled deep in a valley amidst rolling hills.”

Though he knew of her love for the country, she’d never mentioned it before. “Thomas said you grew up in Aylesford, that your families were neighbours. I hear it’s a pretty village, although I’ve never been.”

Thomas had spoken with enthusiasm about long walks by the river, of the quaint church, of time spent enjoying picnics in the meadow. For that reason, Daniel should have hated the countryside, yet he saw it as a symbol of all that was good with the world.

“Oh, it’s so peacefu

l there.” Her eyes glistened like never before as a satisfied sigh left her lips. “When I have the funds, I plan to move out of London,” she said, and Daniel thought the day couldn’t come quick enough. “I want to wake to nothing but the birds’ beautiful song, to breathe clean air, to feel so safe I can leave the bedchamber window open at night.”

“What of your work?” he said relishing the prospect of a peaceful night without worry too. “The case of the missing lamb hardly rouses intrigue.”

She chuckled at that. “This might surprise you, but I hope my work as an enquiry agent will soon be at and end. Truth be told, I’m tired, tired of … well, solving crimes can be exhausting, as well you know.”

Relief coursed through his veins though he couldn’t quite bring himself to punch the air and cheer. Moving to the country meant there’d be no excuse to keep abreast of Mrs Chambers’ cases, no reason to show an interest in her life.

“Then why chastise me for my opinion when you seek a better life for yourself, anyway?”

The question seemed to rouse her ire. “Because I’m a woman who detests the patriarchal dominance too often displayed in our society. Because I will lead the life I choose and no one shall tell me otherwise.”

“What you see as dominance I consider to be a duty to protect.”

Tiny furrows appeared on her brow. “Then you must know I have a problem with the word duty too.”

“Again, I must disagree. Your dedication to your work proves otherwise.”

“You can’t disagree with my opinion, Thorpe. I think I know my own mind, and I was not referring to my work.”

“Then you should speak plainly to avoid confusion.”

“Must you always challenge my position?”

“Must you always assume my intention is to belittle you?”

They both exhaled deeply.