“I have to agree with the dowager. It is most unusual to have such … ordinary people at a society luncheon.” Viscount Coatsworth smoothed his hand down his waistcoat. “It seems the policeman turns up at many of these functions. Almost as if he wishes he were one of us.”

Heat built along Daniel’s collar. He’d managed to get crossways with the viscount upon their first meeting, and clearly Coatsworth had not forgotten. He never missed an opportunity to put Daniel in his place.

“You never answered my question, Swann.” Finch spoke into the silence. “Do you agree that sometimes violence is necessary when all other avenues have been exhausted?” He looked squarely at Daniel, a challenge in his eyes. “Since you’re a policeman, you must be used to violence. You don’t carry a truncheon just for appearance’s sake.”

Daniel clenched his fists on his thighs out of sight, wishing he had never come, or at least hadn’t arrived until much later, after the rest had gone. The Duke of Haverly’s stare was particularly intense. What if Daniel answered in a way the duke didn’t approve? Would he terminate his offer of employment?

What could he do but speak honestly?

“When violence erupts, I often question whether all other avenues have truly been exhausted. Violence rarely brings about the results we desire, instead escalating and harming and further dividing the factions and sides until the original objective is lost in the fury that has built into an explosion.” He picked up his goblet. “I will not say it is never necessary, such as in the defense of one’s person or to protect someone else, but to use violence as a means to bring about social change, especially violence that results in the injury or death of innocent people, is often weak and cowardly.”

Finch scowled, but Daniel paid him little mind. Lady Juliette had her head tilted, as if considering what he’d said. They had been involved in more than one escapade that had a touch of violence, not the least of which had been her kidnapping by spies last month.

The earl changed the conversation, and after what Daniel considered much too long a time spent over a meal, they pushed back their chairs and rose.

“If you ladies will join me,” Countess Thorndike said, “I would love to show you some of the new plantings in the conservatory, and the gardener has created bouquets for each of you to take when you depart. Gentlemen, we’ll rejoin you shortly.” She led the way, and the ladies followed like bright birds.

At the door, Miss Agatha Montgomery paused, her face troubled. She returned for a whispered conversation with Lord Thorndike, and he eventually nodded and beckoned to Daniel, who had risen with the rest of the gentlemen when the ladies did and now stood with his hands on the back of his chair.