Sophie dismissed the vivid images conjured by such a declaration and when she spoke, she did so with a warmth of feeling that reflected her compassion. “You flatter me, madame.”
Madame Labelle stood and walked gracefully over to Sophie, taking her by the hand in a gesture one expects from a friend or companion. “I did not choose this life, it chose me. Such is the fate of some women,” she shrugged in resignation. “If you should ever find yourself in such a desperate position. If you should ever need assistance, Mr. Shandy, then please know you may call upon me here and I will welcome you.” She leaned forward, placed a kiss on Sophie’s cheek and whispered, “You are the first lady who has been kind enough to treat me as an equal.”
Sophie gasped. “I … well, I …”
“You think after all these years, I cannot tell the difference.” Madame Labelle raised her hand. “Let us say no more. I thank you for your company, but now I believe it is time to bid you good night, Mr. Shandy.”
Sophie stepped away and bowed. “Thank you for such stimulating conversation. Good night, madame,” she said, before leaving the room.
It had been rather an enlightening evening.
A simple issue of birth was the only thing separating her fate from Madame Labelle’s. Whether one was forced to marry for wealth and station or whether one had no choice but to be a madam of a brothel, it all amounted to the same thing — compliance within the constraints of a society where men held all the power.
Sophie considered herself lucky. There were no family members forcing her to take a husband in order to enrich the family’s bloodline. She had no interest in money, no desire to wear the latest fashions. Indeed, she would happily spend every day in the same dress, tending her cottage garden — if she could make her own choices.
As Sophie stepped out into the hall, she was surprised to find Dane propped up against the wall, his arms folded across his chest.
“The butler informed me you were still with Madame Labelle,” he said, his expression grave as he straightened and walked towards her. ‘‘We need to leave,” he said taking her by the elbow and practically dragging her to the door.
“At least give me a moment to put on my hat,” she said sharply, for her emotions were running high this evening.
They’d retrieved their hats and were walking down the street at a brisk rate before Dane spoke. “After what Antoinette has told me, it is not safe for you there.”
Sophie was almost running to keep up with his long strides. She stopped directly under a street lamp. “I cannot keep up with you when you walk at such a pace,” she complained, slightly breathless.
He hastened to her side, placed his hand on her elbow and directed her to a place further down the street, to where the light was more subdued. “Catch your breath here for a moment,” he said, looking back over her shoulder. “Haines will be waiting just around the corner.” He hardly gave her a moment before he cupped her elbow and began moving again. “Do not turn around,” he whispered. “I believe we are being followed.”
Sophie gasped. “Are you certain?”
It took every ounce of self-control she had not to turn around and gape.
“The two men who are walking some way behind us were outside my house when we left this evening. I believe their aim is to merely gather information, else they would have had another man waiting here on the corner.”
“How did they know we would be coming to Labelles?”
“They must have followed my carriage. After visiting your brother’s residence, they know you’re looking for him. They obviously know he came here, so it is only logical we would do the same.” He glanced down at her, his face in partial shadow as they passed between the street lamps. His eyes were dark, unyielding, his jaw clenched in steely determination. He looked sinfully handsome and downright dangerous. “When we turn the corner, I want you to run to the carriage and don’t stop, no matter what you see or hear.”
“What about you?” she asked, feeling a sudden pain in her chest.
“Do not worry about me. I’ll be right behind you.”
They turned the corner and out of view. He released her elbow, propelling her forward so she had no choice but to run towards the carriage.
Aware of the danger, Haines did not get down from his box seat to open the door but prepared himself for a hasty departure. Sophie opened the carriage door and without dropping down the steps, vaulted into the carriage. She flung herself back against the squab, the sound of her heartbeat thumping in her ears.
What if something happened to Dane? What if she never saw him alive again?
The next minute passed so slowly it felt like a lifetime. Fear choked her, and she could hear her breathing coming short and fast as the carriage started rolling forward.
Were they leaving without him?
Her thoughts became wild and chaotic as her mind conjured all sorts of morbid images: a handsome, blood-soaked body, warm brown eyes now cloudy, opaque.
The dull thud of footsteps pounding the pavement caught her attention and she gripped the cushioned seat as the door swung on its hinges and Dane jumped in.
The carriage picked up speed and he slammed the door, fell back into the seat opposite and placed his hand over his heart, tapping his chest as he struggled to control his breathing.