I hid my flush of pleasure by quickly lifting my teacup. “You’ll turn my head.”
Daniel winked. “I hope so.”
“I do have something serious to tell you,” I said.
Daniel laid down his fork, his teasing tone abruptly vanishing. “Are you throwing me over already? If so, state it quickly, and be done.”
“Not at all,” I said in surprise. “Except…” I let out a breath. “I do think we should wait a bit. Not rush into things.”
Daniel studied me with quiet watchfulness. “Are we rushing? I’ve been trying to woo you for nearly five years now.”
“I’ve thought it over all last night and through today, and I think we should wait at least a year before we wed.”
“Why a year?” He spoke in curiosity, but I heard the wariness behind the question.
“That will give me opportunity to settle some things.” I took a sip of tea as though I weren’t speaking about the most important matters in my life. “I can’t leave Tess too soon. She’s coming along well, but I don’t want her to break into hysterics at the thought of being left on her own too quickly. She needs to grow used to the idea. Mrs.Bywater will likely promote Tess to head cook, but she’ll try to save money by not employing another assistant. I will have to work to convince Mrs.Bywater that her kitchen needs two to function well.”
“I see that,” Daniel said. “You are right that Tess will need time to train further and grow more confident in her role.”
“Also, I want to give plenty of notice so I can receive all the pay I’m owed. Mrs.Bywater would find some way to convince Lord Rankin to cut me off if I suddenly announced I was marrying. We do need money to live on, Daniel. If I cease working to look after you, and you have only what you make as a deliveryman, we will be pinched to make ends meet.”
Daniel’s focus on me sharpened as I laid out my argument. “My love, I have no intention of locking you into my house to take care of me. I know it’s what wives are trained to do, but you are like no woman I know. You have always wanted to have a tea shop—do not give up that dream for me.”
“What I want is a place to be with Grace,” I said, though I warmed with gratitude at his understanding. “And you.”
“Even so. You have a talent, and I’ll not selfishly deny it to the world, or deny you the recognition for it.” Daniel’s good humor returned. “As long as you save a good portion of what you cook for me.”
“Of course I will, you daft man.” I lifted my teacup again. “But thank you.”
“As it happens, I came here with the purpose of suggesting we wait a bit as well.”
The sting of his words surprised me. I’d taken much trouble to convince myself that this course was best, but for some reason, I was a bit hurt that he’d drawn the same conclusion.
“Oh? Why?”
“Not only for the reasons you stated so well, but because there are things I also need to take care of. Monaghan, with pressure from McGregor and a detective chief super, actually did release me from my obligation to him.”
The relief his statement brought made me want to sag in my chair, but I forced myself to remain upright.
“Well, of course he should have. You brought in a cruel andunfeeling man and saved many people from being hurt by his explosives.”
“With a hefty amount of assistance from you,” Daniel said. “You found that map, which was crucial, and alerted half of London that a madman was about to flee.”
“I hadn’t anticipated he’d turn his own home into an incendiary device,” I said.
“Neither had I. I did insist you take credit for your help, which McGregor grudgingly acknowledged. Monaghan growled that you had inserted yourself too much in this case, and he’ll be happy to see the back of me for that reason.”
“How rude.” I should not care what a heartless man like Monaghan thought of me, but his dismissal rankled. “You do not know how glad I am that you are finished with him.”
“But…”
My relief fled. “But what?”
Daniel ran his thumb along the handle of his fork. “But—I thought I’d stay on. With Special Branch, I mean. Working my way into CID when they have a place for me.”
“I see,” I said.
“I’m good at it, Kat. I can insert myself into a gang of villains without them being the wiser and stop them doing terrible things. Monaghan chose the worst assignments he could find for me, yet I accomplished them. I wouldn’t be working under Monaghan anymore—he made it clear he is finished with me—but there are others willing to take me on.”
