“She was frightened, Dante. Whatever it is she is running from can’t be good.”
“So, what is your plan here, big brother?”
“Frankly, I don’t know.” Alone in his own bed in his flat, he’d spent a good part of the time he should have been sleeping thinking that very same thing. She trusted him enough to accept his offer of a warm, dry bed.
“I don’t mean to come across as unfeeling, but we can’t have a strange woman staying at the club. I don’t know anyone by the name of Pence, so that could be a made-up name. Despite your good-natured belief that she is not a criminal, we have no way of knowing if Scotland Yard is looking for her.”
Driscoll sighed, hearing his very own thoughts spoken out loud by his brother. “I think we should see what she says this morning. For all I know, she went back out the window, and that would be the end of our problem.”
“There is no tree outside the bedroom.”
The sound of footsteps drew their attention. Miss Pence stood in the doorway, looking very much like a little lost lamb.
Everyth
ing protective in him reared its head. Driscoll took a deep breath, his heart speeding up. The devil take it, he was becoming ridiculous about the chit.
Both men stood. “Good morning, Miss Pence,” Driscoll said.
She moved farther into the room and offered a slight smile. “I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to stay here last night.” She dipped a curtsy, which she didn’t pull off very well since she was back into her trousers. Without saying another word, she turned to leave.
“Wait,” Driscoll said and walked up to her, taking her hand in his. A very soft hand, one that only a lady would possess. She had never done hard work. Another clue to her identity. “You must at least eat breakfast before you go.”
Miss Pence hesitated and glanced toward Dante.
“May I make known to you my brother, Mr. Dante Rose.” Driscoll waved at his brother. “Dante, this is Miss Amelia Pence.”
She backed up when Dante snorted.
* * *
Amelia felt the heat rise to her face at the snicker coming from Mr. Dante Rose. She’d wrestled with herself for the past hour, wondering if she should just make her way out of the building without seeking Driscoll Rose to thank him.
Part of that time was also spent trying to figure out where she would go from here. She had to avoid her brother, as well as Mr. Lyons who would no doubt be searching for her as well.
Damn her stepbrother for making the stupid wager! It hurt to acknowledge that she was not surprised by what he’d done. Even though they had never been close, she didn’t think he held her in such low regard to wager her into a life of disgrace and degradation.
Driscoll pulled out a chair. “Please, Miss Pence. I would like you to join us, have breakfast and possibly allow us to help you in whatever way we are able.”
Dante Rose sat back, his arms crossed over his chest and watched her with all the warmth and consideration of a fox watching his prey. He was certainly nothing like his brother.
She walked to the sideboard and filled a plate with food while Driscoll fussed over her, showing her things she might like.
“Sit down, brother,” Dante said. “The woman can fill her own plate.”
Amelia sat in the chair Driscoll had pulled out for her.
“I thought you were anxious to change your shirt, Dante.” Driscoll glared at his brother.
“Yes. I do need to change, but I wouldn’t miss this show for the world.” He grinned, but not in a friendly way, and Amelia’s appetite vanished. She took a sip of her tea and tried to eat since she had no idea when her next meal would be.
“Please pay no attention to my brother, Miss Pence.” Driscoll scowled in his direction. “I know it’s hard to believe, but despite his glib remarks, underneath his façade he is a decent person. Most times.”
Amelia wasn’t so sure about that, but she tried her best to eat. Once she got started, she realized despite the meal she’d eaten the night before—in the middle of the night, actually—she was still quite hungry this morning.
Once she finished, with—thankfully—the brothers speaking about the previous night’s winnings with each other and ignoring her, she pushed her plate aside and wiped her mouth. That seemed to be a signal between the brothers to begin questioning her.
“Miss Pence, I understand if you do not wish to tell us why you find yourself in the position you are in. However, if we are to offer you any assistance, we need to know at least a bit more about you.” Driscoll pushed his spectacles up farther on his nose. “Please.”