Page 33 of Lady Gambit
“A fact we should put far from our minds.”
“I fear the moment will be forever ingrained in my memory. I must admit, your ragged pants and wandering hands led me to believe you were equally enamoured. I’m struggling to understand how you managed to fool me.”
He grumbled to himself, his frustration apparent. “What do you want me to say, Miss Chance? That I’m disturbed to find I’m anything but a gentleman? That the need to ruin you for any other man simmers in my blood? That it took every ounce of resolve I possess not to seek you out last night and finish what we started?”
The raw passion in his voice had heat pooling between her thighs. Mr Flynn was a strong, virile man, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. How fortunate she was accustomed to running with the pack.
“I lost my head yesterday and beg your forgiveness.” He sounded a fraction calmer now. “You have my word it won’t happen again.”
It would.
Something powerful existed between them.
Something both were too weak to fight.
“You’re forgiven, Mr Flynn. Let us not mention it again.”
She turned her attention to the passing scenery. Summer fields gave way to a quaint row of shops. A lady who rarely ventured to pastures new might press her face to the window and study the world with eager enthusiasm. But the man in the opposite seat dominated her thoughts.
He remained equally subdued.
Doubtless he was hoping Mr Daventry would squash her idea like one did an ant beneath their boot. But the master of the elite group of enquiry agents had one weakness—his love for his wife.
That proved the case when she arrived at his business premises in Hart Street and explained her dilemma. “There is some confusion surrounding Mr Flynn’s appointment, sir.”
Mr Daventry invited her to sit in one of two chairs opposite his desk in the study. “I’m not sure why? I believe my intentions were quite clear.”
She glanced at Mr Flynn, who was leaning against the wall, his arms folded firmly to convey his objection. “Your wife paid Mr Flynn’s fee. An amount he accepted to find my parents. Your need of his services in a criminal investigation is a separate issue.”
Mr Daventry leaned back in his leather chair and studied her over steepled fingers. “The suspect tried to abduct you, which?—”
“May have nothing to do with me seeking my parents.” She gave a half-shrug. “If Mr Flynn can no longer take my case, he should return the fee. That way, I may hire someone else to question Mrs Haggert and Nora Adkins. I shall visit Mrs Daventry this afternoon in the hope she might recommend another man for the task.”
“You’ll find no one as capable as me,” Mr Flynn countered.
No, he was exceptional in every regard.
A confused hum left Mr Daventry’s lips. “I don’t see why we cannot tackle both cases together. I thought we’d agreed to question Mrs Haggert this morning. Isn’t that why Flynn is here?”
She cleared her throat. “I wish to assist in the investigation.”
It was ludicrous to think they would permit a woman to act as a sleuth, but Mr Daventry had employed female agents before, and she was invested in the outcome of this case.
Mr Flynn snorted. “I cannot solve a crime while protecting Miss Chance. She should remain at Mile End with her brother.”
“Am I the only one who can see that wasting my days at Mile End is illogical?” She recalled a comment Mr Daventry had made only yesterday. “The answers lie within my mind. Visiting old haunts might trigger a memory. I see no issue as long as I avoid contact with my family and stay away from Fortune’s Den.”
“What of Theodore’s recuperation?” Mr Flynn challenged.
“I trust Miss Darrow to take care of my brother.” The modiste blamed herself for Theo being at her shop under false pretences and refused to leave his bedside until the threat of fever had passed. “I would rather draw the villain out than place my brother in danger. My assistance might prove invaluable.”
A mischievous smile touched Mr Daventry’s lips. “I suspect my wife would agree with you. She’s never been one to sit idly while men do her bidding.”
“Please tell me you’re not considering her outlandish proposal?” Mr Flynn pushed away from the wall. “We gave Aaron Chance our word. We swore to protect her at all costs.”
“And we will,” Mr Daventry said casually.
“I won’t be kept in the dark, Mr Flynn. I’m determined to discover the truth about my parents with or without your help.”
