Before he could say another word, she was stepping down from the carriage and was swept into the townhouse. In the past six months, he had yet to convince her that she had not been at fault for her husband’s death. Everything in her life was now centered on one thing, finding the man who killed Harold. His real worry now was that it was clouding her judgment. It could make her sloppy. Sloppy spies ended up dead.
The carriage rumbled down the street, taking him back to his townhouse. One thing he knew, Jo had good information. She had some of the best informants. If they said a man named Duchovny killed Harold, it was a safe bet to say the information was right. It had taken six months to get the name of the poisoner, which told him that the man had a well-placed benefactor. It was something that both he and Jo had thought from the beginning. He would have to contact some of his friends in the War Department to see what they had heard, who might be in need of money.
But as soon as he finished making his plans for the next day, Jo’s comments about Anna came back to mind. What did Sebastian think he was doing allowing her to run amuck through White Chapel? He understood she wanted to help, but why did she think she needed to be down there? People didn’t expect it. Of course, knowing Anna, she would go the unusual route. She always did.
He made a mental note to call on Sebastian the next day. He knew Sebastian understood some of what went on down in those areas, but Daniel had spent much of the last few years down there. He understood the horrible fate many women suffered.
There was one thing for sure. He would do everything in his power to make sure that Sebastian kept her safely tucked away in Mayfair.
With that thought, he settled back on the seat to have a bit of a nap before returning home.
“Do you understand what you must do?”
The ruffian nodded as he downed another tankard of ale. “You want me to knife the man. No problem.”
“You know where to find him. Be fast about it and get out of the area.”
Without another word, the lord stood and walked toward the door of the pub. No one would recognize him, although it was dangerous. There was always some member of the ton down in this part of White Chapel to enjoy the seamier joys of town life. He stepped outside, ignored the men arguing while a whore called out to him. He stepped up into the handsome cab and found Atterly, his man of business, waiting for him.
“I trust all went well, my lord.”
“Yes. I hired a man, all will be well in less than a week.”
“Do you think it wise, my lord? Someone might have recognized you.”
He studied the man he had trusted for the last five years to hold some of his secrets. Atterly was a bastard, in deed and name. He did not have a care who was hurt, as long as he got paid. They shared that common trait. Lord knew he had creditors foaming at the mouth to get a piece of him. Atterly though, never seemed to want for money. He didn’t seem to care about material things. He just cared about amassing a fortune.
“No. If anyone saw me, they would be loath to admit they had been in such a place. And truly, who would believe one of those people over me? I am not known for coming to White Chapel. Don’t worry.”
He settled back against his seat. His mind turned to the plans. Daniel would have no idea what awaited him. It would be sweet to watch the son of his enemy die.
Chapter Four
“Mum, do you think it be warm enough to go outside soon?”
Anna smiled down at the cherub sitting next to her as she sat down to read a story. Brody was one of their newest children found living on the streets just three months ago. She was happy to see his cheeks had filled out. He had been a skeleton when he had arrived, and afraid of his own shadow.
“You call her, my lady,” Jason whispered with enough condemnation to make Brody blush.
“Either is fine with me. And as for the weather, I am not quite sure, but it cannot be soon enough. I look forward to walks in the park.”
“We aren’t allowed in the park,” Brody said.
Once again, she was struck by how little fun these children had before arriving at St Mark’s. Everything she had experienced in her childhood that she had taken for granted was mostly unknown to these boys. The adventures in the country were some of her favorite memories. To think that many of them had never walked through a field in spring, or felt the air rush toward their face as they flew down a snowy hill.
“That is just silly. Of course you can go to the park.”
She had done just that the last few years. She could not understand the need to hide these children away, then thrust them out into the world. Besides, who could resist a warm spring day at the park?
“One of my favorite things to do when I was your age was go to the park. I was too accustomed to running wild through the village to sit in a London townhouse. I even would get in trouble for going out without my shoes on.”
Their eyes widened. “Gor, my lady, I cannot see you doing that.”
She laughed. “I did things like that a lot, in fact I still do at times.”
“Do you think we can go to the park?”
She looked down at the hope in Brody’s bright green eyes. “I will have to see what I can arrange. We do every year.” She opened the book. “Why don’t we find out just what Mr. Crusoe is up to today, shall we?”
By the time luncheon rolled around, Anna had read two chapters, dealt with a couple of young ladies found out in the cold the night before and sent a summons around to Dr. Timms to come check them for frostbite.
“I hear the children are abuzz about going to the park,” Mrs. Markham said.
Anna smiled. “I could not help it. I know we have weeks left before we can go.”
“My lady, I rarely step in to say anything…”
“But?”
“Well, you should not get their hopes up.”
“Who said their hopes will be dashed. If we have to walk them there, we will get to the park. But I doubt it will come to that. I can usually squeeze some money here and there, and if not, I will use my own money. There needs to be more frivolous activities. And you know that I seem to find a way every year.”
The older woman frowned, trying to act the matron, but she broke down and smiled. “I hope you can do it, my lady.”
“I intend to.” Even she heard the determination in her voice. These children deserved that much.
She walked to the door to her office. “I think I will get some paperwork done before heading home for the day.”
“Oh, my lady, there is a gentleman in your office.”
She paused. “One of the benefactors?”
“No. This one I have not seen before, but I recognized the name.”
She handed Anna the card.
Lord Daniel Bridgerton.
Her pulse jumped, as did her heart. Oh, bother, what was he doing here today? She was still tired from the night before, exhausted from the constant chatter and nonsense of the ton activities. She’d barely slept a wink before rising to attend to her normal activities at the orphanage. The idea that she had to now pull herself together to face Daniel was almost too much to bear.
Mrs. Markham cleared her throat, bringing Anna back from her musings.
She offered the matron her best smile. “He is a good friend of the family. I guess I will have to see what he wants.”
She straightened her shoulders, drew in a deep breath, and turned the knob.
Standing by the window, with the weak winter sun blazing around him, was Daniel. She said nothing for a moment and took time to study him. He was the epitome of the well-dressed gentleman. This was not the man she had met years ago. He’d been really little more than a boy, just ten and eight, full of himself and ready to take on the world. Still, with all his arrogance, he had been kind to her. That was why his behavior when she had arrived in town hurt so badly.
With some effort, she pushed those feelings aside. She wasn’t the girl she was then.
“Daniel?”
He turned and
his golden gaze traveled down, taking in the serviceable gray bombazine dress she wore. It wasn’t at all fashionable, but she didn’t volunteer at St Mark’s to be fashionable. She needed sturdy clothes to be able to do the work. But for once, she wished she had worn something fun and frivolous.
By the time he brought his attention back to her face, his eyes had darkened. It was the same look that he’d had the night before…and it had the same effect. Her pulse raced and she felt slightly faint. There was something about the study that made her think he knew exactly how she looked without her clothes on. Even just the thought had her blushing. She opened her mouth to say something but he stepped forward, formality in his movements.
“Lady Anna.”
She wondered at his formality when she realized Mrs. Markham was standing behind her.
“Could you check on when Dr. Timms will be here?”
Mrs. Markham eyed Daniel as if he were the devil incarnate then looked at Anna. “If you insist.”
She closed the door behind her leaving the two of them in uncomfortable silence.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised to see you here.”
For a moment, he said nothing. He just kept staring at her. She could not help the feeling that he was measuring her in some way. She had to fight the need to fidget. She opened her mouth to ask him if something was wrong, but he seemed to shake himself out of his stupor.
“Yes, I apologize for not making an appointment.”
She laughed as she waved to one of the two chairs in front of the desk. “Making an appointment is unnecessary for you. Please, have a seat.” She walked around her desk, trying to put the massive wood barrier between them. Her pulse had tripled and she felt another rush of heat fill her face. Oh, to not be so fair that her blushes showed.
“You will find that we are not very formal here.”
Once they had both settled, he stared at her again. Her whole body heated as he continued studying her. She had to resist the urge to check her appearance. Instead, she clasped her hands on the desk in front of her.
“Was there something you wanted?”
That seemed to pull him out his stupor. “Yes. I was just by your house.”
Alarm lit through her. “Everyone is all right?”
“Oh, yes, I apologize for alarming you. I thought it best to take this up with Sebastian first.”
She frowned. “What did you need to take up with Sebastian?”
“Your work here.”
That caught her off-guard. “My work?”
He hesitated. “I had no idea that you came down here on a regular basis.”
“And?” she asked when he said nothing else.
“It is not proper.”
For a moment, her brain could not seem to work out what he said. Then, when she did, she laughed.
He frowned. “I am serious.”
“Yes. I can tell you are serious, that is why I am laughing.”
“One might get the wrong idea about a woman who spends so much time in White Chapel.”
His implication hit her square in the chest and her laughter died. Of all the nerve. She wanted to pick up a pencil and hit him square in the forehead with it. But she resisted…barely. It was what the old Anna would do. Instead, she counted backward from ten, curled her fingers into the palm of her hand and moderated her speech.
“I think you might want to rethink your comments.”
At her tone, he narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think it is right.”
She could feel her spine straightening, her temper boiling. “I did not ask. Nor do I care what you say.”
Surprise passed over his expression.
“And furthermore, I take exception at the idea you felt you needed to discuss this with my brother. Considering both of your behavior for years, I hardly think either of you have the right to even think of saying anything to me.”
Frustration dripped off him as he rose and paced to the window. “You do not understand the dangers here.”
“Do I not?”
He looked at her but she was not in any mood to hear his thoughts on the subject. She allowed some of her temper to show when she continued. “I have worked here for the last two and a half years. I know exactly what goes on around here. How can I not?”
“A woman of your class should not be exposed to it.”
She let out a snort. “How pompous you sound. I would have never thought this of you. I have never known you to be so snobbish.”
“I understand your need to work with charities, but I think you take this a step too far.”
The anger that had been simmering exploded into fury. But she would not show it to him, not to any man. She would not lose her composure in front of him. She had worked very hard to learn to moderate her actions and her emotions.
“I am not the type of woman who is going to sit home and give money to make myself feel better. My mother did not raise me that way. And for your comments about the area, I know what goes on here. Everyone who has spent time in London knows. What makes me different is that I do not turn a blind eye to it. I know that whores work the streets and that children are often preyed upon. That is nothing new. But I cannot live with myself if I do nothing to help.”
He studied her for a moment and she saw something shift in his expression. “What you do here is admirable. But even the most optimistic know that it is but a drop in the bucket. It barely counts.”
She stood but did not move from her desk. If she did, there was a good chance she would kick him in the shin. “If I save one child from a fate that will leave them damaged…or worse, then it is worth it. My safety is never in question. Sebastian hired two enormous guards.”
He frowned. “Your brother said as much.”
“Well, at least he has finally accepted that. Just how did you find out about me working down here?”
He hesitated, then grimaced. “Lady Johanna.”
Of course, his paramour. His uncle’s widow. The woman he left with the night before, just after he had been dancing with her. Pain bubbled in her chest, but she refused to let him know how much it hurt her. She had allowed a man to have that power over her before, and she refused to have that happen again.
“If that will be all, I need to finish some reports before I can head back home for luncheon and I am hungry.”
She strode to the door and opened it, waiting for him to walk through it.
In silence, he gathered his hat and approached her. He paused when he stood next to her. She could feel his body heat, smell the scent she always associated with him. Her body hummed, that was nothing new. It took every ounce of her control to look him in the eye and keep her face as blank as possible. He searched her gaze.
“I did not mean to offend. I thought you might not understand the dangers.”
“Believe me, I know too well the perils of growing up in the area, my lord.”
He nodded but said nothing as he left. She shut the door behind him and leaned against it. Anger still simmered, but mixed with it was pain. She should not be hurt that Daniel had a paramour, or that it seemed his choice lacked morals. But it did. The idea that they were discussing her and her activities was too absurd to be true. Still, where would he have heard it? And why was she feeling as if she had been wronged in some way? He was not her husband or betrothed. It was not as if she thought he would have ever been interested in marrying her.
She walked to the window and watched as Daniel emerged from the door below and out onto the street. The image she had of him when she was a girl just did not match with the man he was. She had thought him more a knight in shining armor, a man who would rescue her. Of course he wasn’t. He was like most men, only interested in the next fun activity, the next available widow. She could not respect a man who led a life like that.
Even knowing everything she did, she could not help the way her body shimmered with heat as she watched him stride to his coach. He paused with his foot on the first step and looked up at the w
indow where she stood. She had to resist pulling herself back to hide that she had been watching him. It would have done no good. He gave her a good frown before ducking inside of his carriage.
She watched his coach as it rumbled down the street. With no other diversions, she turned her attention to the budget reports she needed to prepare for the committee that oversaw the orphanage.
Daniel was still fuming when he stomped up the steps of Joanna’s townhouse. He slammed the knocker and crossed his arms over his chest. Sylvester answered the door.
“A bit early in the day for you, my lord,” he said, his sarcasm easy to hear. Daniel ignored him as he strode past him and down the hall to the kitchen. He knew that it was where to find everyone in the household at luncheon.
He could not be cordial. He had dragged himself out of bed that morning, his head and body still sore, his mind still whirling with visions of Anna. It had been years since he’d dreamed of her, but last night they had returned with vengeance. He could still hear her sighs, feel her flesh, and just the way it had felt sinking into her sweet honeypot.
Bloody, bloody hell. He could not get that image out of his mind. It had taken every bit of his control not to force her to leave that orphanage, away from the filth of those streets. Knowing he had no right did not help the matter. After the ill-fated trip, his head was pounding and his temper frayed. He barged through the kitchen door and found Joanna sitting at the table with her servants. Her eyes widened.
“Please, do come in, Daniel.”
He shot her a look that most people would cower before. She smiled.
“You do not want to try to irritate me today.” He bit out each word, trying to hold on to his temper.
“From the looks of things I don’t need to try.”
He opened his mouth but Macy, Joanna’s cook, shoved a plate into his hands. “Eat.”
He looked down at the meat pie and frowned. “I am not in the mood.”
“Every man is in the mood for food.”
“And other things, huh?” Walt, her husband, said, wiggling his eyebrows.
“You two behave,” Joanna said with amusement threading her voice. “Lord Bridgerton is having a bad day.”
The Spy Who Loved Her: Once Upon an Accident, Book 3 Page 4