Page 101 of Lady Gambit
“All events can be corroborated.” He had named Miss Lovelace and Miss Darrow as witnesses. They already hadNora and Powell in custody. And two constables had fetched Bertram’s sister from her home in Warwick Square, hoping she could identify the body.
“By Jove, when the King hears about this, you’ll all be knighted.”
A shiver of dread ran down Dorian’s spine. A title was the last thing he wanted. “I don’t need a knighthood. I need to know we’ve been exonerated. That none of us will hang for murder.”
Daventry returned with a man no one knew. The tall, elegant fellow spoke privately with the magistrate, and as quick as a wink, the constables left with Lord Meldrum in tow.
Daventry drew Dorian to a dim corner of the room. “We’re all free to leave, though speak of this to no one. The King fears the news may bring public unrest. The monarchy cannot afford to look weak.”
“I pray no charges will be brought against Mrs Haggert.”
The woman had appeared in their darkest hour with a plan Dorian felt sure would work. He had stood a few feet away on the gallery, his heart lodged in his throat, waiting to charge inside when Mrs Haggert gave the signal.
Daventry glanced around the taproom before saying, “Mrs Haggert parades as a vigilante but is part of a secret government organisation. None of her boys were hanged. It’s a ruse. They’re being trained to work as spies abroad. Though we’re not permitted to discuss that either.”
“That explains how she happened to be here tonight. She has eyes and ears everywhere.” It also explained how she managed to avoid prosecution as the leader of a pick-pocketing gang. “Although nothing surprises me after the hell we’ve been through.”
Daventry laughed, but something akin to pride passed over his face. “I always knew you would succeed.” His gaze drifted to Delphine, who sat drinking ale in a booth with her brothers.“However painful, Miss Chance deserved to know the truth. My wife will be glad to know you earned your fee.”
Dorian had almost forgotten he’d been paid to help Delphine. While solving the case, he’d earned something more precious than gold. “Based on what I know now, I would have offered my services for free.”
Daventry grinned. “I shall tell my wife to expect a refund.”
“Tell your wife I owe her a debt that can never be repaid.”
Daventry gave him a brotherly pat on the back. “Miss Chance hasn’t taken her eyes off you since we began talking. After all she’s been through, I suggest you take her home. Meet me at Bow Street at noon tomorrow, and we’ll help Sir Malcolm with his reports.”
Within seconds of Daventry departing, Delphine darted from the booth and hurried past the empty tables, heading in Dorian’s direction.
He’d not held her since he’d burst into the bedchamber and found Bertram dead on the floor. Perhaps that’s why they were running towards each other now.
She threw herself into his embrace. “Dorian.”
He lifted her off the floor, wrapping his arms around her so tightly he feared he’d squeeze the breath from her lungs. “You’re safe now.”
Love filled his heart.
He closed his eyes and inhaled the lilac scent of her hair. He let the heat of her body warm him. Beautiful dreams of their future flitted through his mind, as soothing as a summer breeze.
“I don’t want to be without you,” she uttered against his neck.
They’d come so close to losing everything.
No doubt the same thought plagued Delphine, too.
“I’ll never leave you again. You’re my love, my life, my everything.”
As she drew back, their gazes locked with a power that defied the heavens. “I love you. My life is with you now.” A smile touched her lips as she brushed his hair from his brow. “Take me home.”
“To Fortune’s Den?” He’d have to fight Aaron again because he wasn’t letting her out of his sight, not even for a second.
Her hand came to rest gently on his bristled jaw. “Home is wherever you are. Home is where you decide to sleep tonight. Take me there.”
His heart constricted.
“Home is Mile End. It’s where we’ll spend our married life and raise our children. Tonight, I’ll take you to the Old Swan.” It was but half a mile to Long Lane, and they were desperate to be alone. “We can continue that deep, meaningful conversation we started earlier.”
She flashed a coy grin. “I doubt we’ll reach a quick conclusion.”
