“From the looks of it last night, those girls went with her willingly,” Kane said. “What did she say to them to make them agree to go to France?”
“To some, she promised employment in prominent households. To others, she told them they could get jobs at the Parisian dress shops. Unfortunately, others were taken against their will like your maid, Jessica.” Harvey shook his head.
Had she been in the sack Kane had seen the Frenchman take on board the boat before he’d watch the man go to the brothel?
“Where does The Painted Pony come into this?” Kane asked. “Were there ever girls there?” He recalled the information the prostitute had given them.
“At times some girls were held there, yes. Mr. Nichols was given a cut of the profit for keeping his silence. My men will arrest him later today.”
“What will happen to Miss Wilcott and her lover?” Heath asked.
“We will question them, and then, most likely, a trial. I had to notify Mr. Wilcott last night. Poor fellow passed out when I told him.”
It was a shame so many lives had been destroyed. Now it was up to Harvey to put the pieces together. Kane was glad he traveling to France in search of the girls. Hopefully, Caroline could find more of the children from the orphanage.
“If you need anything, please let us know.” Heath spoke up, putting a hand on Kane’s leg.
Kane put his hand over Heath’s. It was nice to be open with their feelings. And he didn’t miss the large grin on Caroline’s face.
“Will you stay for dinner?”
The couple accepted Heath’s invitation. They spent a pleasant evening together. At one point, Kane took Caroline aside and asked her about Harvey. As expected, she confirmed that the detective had been coming to the orphanage to see her regularly.
“You will be careful in France, won’t you?” Kane hugged his friend.
“Of course, I will. Besides, I have Harvey to watch over me.”
“He’s a good man.”
She smiled. “Yes, he is. I think he might propose before we leave.”
“Really?”
“He keeps hinting that it isn’t proper for an unattached lady to be going off on adventures with a single man.”
Kane laughed. “I’m happy for you.”
“And I for you.” She glanced over her shoulder at Heath, who was speaking with Harvey. “I take it you will be staying permanently?”
“Yes. I’ve found the person I want to spend my life with.”
His gaze followed Caroline’s. Heath was talking animatedly about something with Harvey. He flung his hands out as he talked, his posture at ease, and a sparkle in his eyes.
After Caroline and Harvey left, they retired to their bedchamber.
Our room.
From now on, neither of them would be alone, they would be together.
“I love you,” Kane whispered as he sprinkled kisses across Heath’s chest.
“You said that earlier.”
“And I plan on saying it over and over, forever, because that’s how long we shall be together.”
Heath rolled them over so Kane was on his back while Heath straddled him. Already Kane’s cock was hard. The desire to be with Heath, always present, rose quickly to the surface.
“What would I have done without you?” Heath had a serious expression. “After my injury, I never imagined this type of life. I thought I would be a crippled farmer, alone and desolate. Then all this happened. You happened. I feel like I don’t deserve to be this happy.”