“Would you mind if we stopped here?” Daphne tapped Mr Bostock on the arm and gestured to the quaint book shop. “I’ll be no more than a few minutes.”

Mr Bostock glanced back over his shoulder and then up at the shop’s facade. “I don’t see as it can hurt.”

“I doubt I’ll make a purchase,” Daphne said as Mr Bostock opened the door and stepped back for her to enter. “But there’s something comforting about the smell of books. I could sit in a chair and read all day, time and money permitting.”

“Well, I’ve never seen the attraction myself.” Mr Bostock frowned as he scanned the rows upon rows of books lining every available wall space. The varying hues of the bound covers: reds, golds and greens, reminded Daphne of an autumn scene.

“But you do read?”

“I can read if that’s what you’re asking. Thorpe taught me everything I need to know to get by.” His expression turned solemn, and he heaved a sigh. “Without Thorpe’s guidance, I’d be robbing pies from the market, not dressed in finery and dining with ladies.”

The men had formed a close bond over the years. Any fool could see that.

“And without you, he might have been beaten to a pulp the night you met.”

Mr Bostock snorted. “Oh, he’d have saved himself somehow. He always does.”

Daphne truly hoped that was the case as she couldn’t imagine a life without Daniel now. “Have you ever been to Rainham Hall?” she said casually, feigning interest in a selection of books near the door.

Mr Bostock’s mouth fell open, and he blinked rapidly. “You know about that?”

“Yes, though I don’t understand why Mr Thorpe lives in the city when he has such a beautiful home in the country.” Why did he move from place to place, never really having anywhere to call home?

“Perhaps it’s because he has a point to prove.” Mr Bostock shrugged. “Or maybe the big house reminds him too much of the past.”

Or maybe he didn’t know how to stop running.

“Do you think there’ll ever come a time when he’ll live at Rainham Hall?” Daphne hoped he would. But he enjoyed his work, and as he’d said himself, people in the shires had no need for an enquiry agent.

Mr Bostock shook his head. “Can’t see him ever leaving the city while you’re still here.”

“Me?” Daphne put her hand to her chest. “Thorpe has hardly spoken a word to me these last few years. Had we not worked together to help Lord Harwood, I doubt he’d be speaking to me now.”

The thought caused a sharp pain in her chest. Things were so different since they’d been working together. But once they’d discovered who murdered Thomas, what then? Perhaps he would agree to a business partnership. It would make working cases far more appealing.

“Just because you don’t speak to him, doesn’t mean he’s not there,” Mr Bostock replied. “He knows about your cases, always intervenes when necessary.”

Daphne drew her head back. “Intervenes?” The word burst from her lips. The few people milling about the shop turned to stare. “What do you mean?” she whispered.

Mr Bostock shuffled uncomfortably. “It’s not for me to say.”

Daphne placed a hand on her hip. “Mr Bostock, you will explain the comment.”

He muttered something to himself. “Don’t say I was the one who told you.”

“You have my word.”

“My objective is always to keep you safe,” he said defensively. “Like the night you were searching Mr Mason’s office looking for proof his client had exaggerated his wealth.”

“What of it?” The Suttons had heard rumours about their prospective son-in-law and hired Daphne to prove the man was nought but a fortune hunter. “Nothing untoward happened that evening.”

Mr Bostock offered a weak grin. “Mr Mason came back to the office while you were still inside. My job was to stall him so you could make your escape without being seen.”

Daphne could barely catch her breath. “And how long have you been offering your assistance?”

The poor fellow glanced at his boots. “For more than two years. But I’ve only had to help a few times.”

“I see.” Her cheeks flamed. Daniel must have thought her a fool for boasting of her ability to care for herself.

“He cares about you that’s all,” Mr Bostock said in Daniel’s defence. “The last thing he would want to do is hurt you.”

“But he should have been honest with me.” Daphne wanted to be annoyed with Daniel, but his actions had nothing to do with control or needing to belittle her efforts. It had nothing to do with him thinking her incapable. She knew it was because he cared.

Mr Bostock met her gaze. “And if he’d have told you, what would you have done?”

“I have no idea.” She would have cursed him to the devil. Been more secretive. Varied her route in an attempt to lose his associate. “Well, I came in here to look at books not spend the morning discussing Mr Thorpe.” She leant closer. “The Gothic horrors are up those three stairs, hidden at the back. I only want to browse through the collection.” And read a few pages of any that took her fancy.

“Take a few minutes, and then we’d best be on our way.” Bostock folded his arms across his chest. “I’ll wait here.”

Daphne left him to stare out of the window. Perhaps he thought perusing books meant he had to buy one. After offering the shopkeeper a warm smile, Daphne climbed the small flight of stairs at the rear of the shop. Had she been alone, she would have sat at one of the tables and passed a few hours, her mind lost in the fanciful tales.

“Mrs Chambers.” The whispered words drifted past her ear. “Mrs Chambers.”

Daphne glanced at Mr Bostock who was still watching the people passing by the window.

“Mrs Chambers.”

Daphne looked back over her shoulder. The door leading out to the back yard was ajar. She walked over, was but an inch away when a woman grabbed her by the hand.

“Thank goodness you heard me.” The petite woman appeared highly agitated.

“Miss Lawson?” Daphne narrowed her gaze. Lily Lawson wore a pretty bonnet and fashionable pelisse. “I hardly recognised you. What on earth are you doing out here?”

“There’s no time to talk. We must leave now. Heavens. Please listen.”

The woman was rambling.

“I fear Mr Thorpe is in grave danger,” Lily added. “I should never have given you the list.”

“Thorpe? Does this have something to do with Lord Gibson?”

“Lord Gibson cannot be trusted.” She tugged Daphne by the arm. “Come. I have a hackney waiting. If we do not hurry, Mr Thorpe is sure to face the same fate as Thomas.”

All the air dissipated from Daphne’s lungs. “Then let me fetch Mr Bostock, Thorpe’s associate. He’s here with me and will know what to do.”

Daphne turned, but Lily refused to relinquish her grip.

“You will leave with me now, Mrs Chambers.” The click of metal drew Daphne’s gaze to the pistol pointed at her stomach. “Don’t test my patience. Besides, if I shoot you, how will you be able to rescue Mr Thorpe?”