A Simple Case of Seduction

“What of it?” The Suttons had heard rumours about their prospective son-in-law and hired Daphne to prove the man was nought but a fortune hunter. “Nothing untoward happened that evening.”

Mr Bostock offered a weak grin. “Mr Mason came back to the office while you were still inside. My job was to stall him so you could make your escape without being seen.”

Daphne could barely catch her breath. “And how long have you been offering your assistance?”

The poor fellow glanced at his boots. “For more than two years. But I’ve only had to help a few times.”

“I see.” Her cheeks flamed. Daniel must have thought her a fool for boasting of her ability to care for herself.

“He cares about you that’s all,” Mr Bostock said in Daniel’s defence. “The last thing he would want to do is hurt you.”

“But he should have been honest with me.” Daphne wanted to be annoyed with Daniel, but his actions had nothing to do with control or needing to belittle her efforts. It had nothing to do with him thinking her incapable. She knew it was because he cared.

Mr Bostock met her gaze. “And if he’d have told you, what would you have done?”

“I have no idea.” She would have cursed him to the devil. Been more secretive. Varied her route in an attempt to lose his associate. “Well, I came in here to look at books not spend the morning discussing Mr Thorpe.” She leant closer. “The Gothic horrors are up those three stairs, hidden at the back. I only want to browse through the collection.” And read a few pages of any that took her fancy.

“Take a few minutes, and then we’d best be on our way.” Bostock folded his arms across his chest. “I’ll wait here.”

Daphne left him to stare out of the window. Perhaps he thought perusing books meant he had to buy one. After offering the shopkeeper a warm smile, Daphne climbed the small flight of stairs at the rear of the shop. Had she been alone, she would have sat at one of the tables and passed a few hours, her mind lost in the fanciful tales.

“Mrs Chambers.” The whispered words drifted past her ear. “Mrs Chambers.”

Daphne glanced at Mr Bostock who was still watching the people passing by the window.

“Mrs Chambers.”

Daphne looked back over her shoulder. The door leading out to the back yard was ajar. She walked over, was but an inch away when a woman grabbed her by the hand.

“Thank goodness you heard me.” The petite woman appeared highly agitated.

“Miss Lawson?” Daphne narrowed her gaze. Lily Lawson wore a pretty bonnet and fashionable pelisse. “I hardly recognised you. What on earth are you doing out here?”

“There’s no time to talk. We must leave now. Heavens. Please listen.”

The woman was rambling.

“I fear Mr Thorpe is in grave danger,” Lily added. “I should never have given you the list.”

“Thorpe? Does this have something to do with Lord Gibson?”

“Lord Gibson cannot be trusted.” She tugged Daphne by the arm. “Come. I have a hackney waiting. If we do not hurry, Mr Thorpe is sure to face the same fate as Thomas.”

All the air dissipated from Daphne’s lungs. “Then let me fetch Mr Bostock, Thorpe’s associate. He’s here with me and will know what to do.”

Daphne turned, but Lily refused to relinquish her grip.

“You will leave with me now, Mrs Chambers.” The click of metal drew Daphne’s gaze to the pistol pointed at her stomach. “Don’t test my patience. Besides, if I shoot you, how will you be able to rescue Mr Thorpe?”

Chapter 23

Daniel raced back to New Bond Street. Finding the front door of the shop locked, he rapped several times. Panic flared. Betsy had said nothing about going out. He waited and rapped again.

The shuffling of feet on the tiled floor in the hall beyond caught his attention. “It’s Mr Thorpe, Betsy,” he said when the footsteps stopped and he sensed the modiste’s hesitation.

“Good Lord,” Betsy cried as she peeked around the jamb. “Give a lady a chance to reach the door.” She ushered him inside. “You’ll bring the house down if you knock any louder.”

His thunderous bangs on the door mirrored the wild thud of his heart. Since discovering it was Lily’s name on the strip of paper, he’d been forced to acknowledge his error. Lily played the victim as well as any consummate actress gracing the stage. He should have followed her, gathered more information before tearing off to Witham on a fool’s errand.