Beatrice was both relieved and apprehensive. “Then what’s your new assignment?”
He laughed. “Lady Dalton’s maid was arrested for theft. The servant says she can prove her innocence.”
“What’s so funny about that?” she said, thankful it wasn’t a case of murder.
“Nothing, except she’s accused of stealing the lady’s dog.”
“Her dog?” It sounded like a case for one of the ladies at Howland Street. “Not a pug?”
“Indeed, but this pug was wearing a diamond collar.”
Beatrice started laughing and couldn’t stop. Dante laughed, too, laughed until tears streamed down his face.
“You may need my help,” she said, catching her breath. “Pugs can be pesky creatures.”
“My sparring practice at the Wild Boar will have prepared me sufficiently.”
They continued walking, both chuckling periodically, though a woman’s life hung in the balance, and Dante would most certainly save her.
He stopped suddenly and took hold of her hands. “There’s something I want to give you. A gift I hope you will accept.”
“A gift?” She couldn’t think what it might be.
“I know we said we’d stop looking to the past, but it’s the only thing I have of hers, and she would have wanted to give you something on your wedding day.”
Emotion bubbled to her throat when he removed Daphne’s brooch from his pocket. Tears filled her eyes when he placed it in her palm.
“It’s yours, Beatrice. Given to my mother by a man who loved her more than life itself. Given to you by a man who cannot believe his good fortune. A man you pulled from the darkness. A man who loves you to the depths of his soul.”
The lump in her throat made it hard to speak. “I shall treasure it always.”
They kissed, pressed their foreheads together and whispered words of love. When they parted, Dante chuckled again. “Perhaps we should play a trick on your new friends. Hide in the study, bang the desk and make amorous noises.”
She thought about Miss Keane and laughed. “There’s always the broom cupboard, but I’d rather you didn’t tell them you were inspecting my bristles.”