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“Only Mrs Dempsey”

Daniel popped his head around the ja the opposite corridor Daniel shot back into the rooers around Daphne’s wrist and yanked her inside

“It is not wise to enter a gentleman’s bedchamber”

The cold look in his eye eradicated all the progress they’d made over the last few days He stood before her as the old Thorpe: stiff stance, tart tone, and stony expression The need to keep his secret pressed heavily on his shoulders Lavinia had talked to hi breakfast Did he fear the ht have ht the privacy of his room?

“Then perhaps you should shut the door, Daniel, before someone walks past and sees us” Daphne searched his face She understood it all noealth of pain lay buried beneath his facade “Sneaking in fully clothed in the afternoon is hardly the sa but a nightgown”

He closed the door and ca?”

“Wrong?”

“That you felt the need to seek me out”

This was going to be extre Daniel Thorpe was the most difficult case she’d ever taken

“I came to ask if you wanted to return to London” Daphne s Lavinia would continue to pry until she’d gained a confession? “We could say we’ve had a breakthrough in the case and leave after dinner”

He tilted his head and squinted “But don’t you want to stay?”

Not if it roused painful memories of his past

“Anthony and Sarah are too absorbed with each other to o Helena said you’re one of the few gentlemen her husband respects”

The corners of Daniel’s mouth twitched “We do have a remarkable amount in co the way I do”

“We don’t have to leave If you enjoy Mr Dempsey’s company, we can stay The choice is yours”