He didn’t know what he had expected, but certainly not that Donaldson would be the one to panic. He jumped to his feet, flipped the table into the man across from him, sending the poor fellow sprawling backward at Daniel’s feet, and bolted for the door.

Unfortunately for him, he chose the door guarded by Sir Bertrand. In a beautiful move, the “drunken” Bertie Thorndike stumbled and stuck his foot out at the precise moment Donaldson passed, tripping the gambler and sending him into a flailing heap on the floor. Artfully, Thorndike “fell” on top of him, pinning him to the carpet, apologizing with slurred words all the way but managing to hold the writhing escapee until Daniel arrived to clamp his hand on the man’s collar.

Mrs. Fairchild had risen, but she remained by her chair, her hand pressed to her chest, eyes wide as a child’s. “Whatever is happening?”

Two employees of Almack’s, big burly men hired to ensure that everyone minded their manners, strode in, ready to toss out those who would disturb the sanctity of the exclusive venue. Daniel kept hold of Donaldson, who tried to swing on him. Grabbing his wrist, Daniel wrenched it up high behind the man’s back and nearly bent him double.

“What’s the trouble here?” one of the guards asked. “Unhand that man.”

“Police.” Daniel jerked his head. “I’m arresting the man in conjunction with a murder investigation. And that woman as well.” He indicated Mrs. Fairchild, who by this time looked to be regretting that she had not fled through the other door.

Lady Juliette moved closer to her and said something that made the widow’s eyes harden. Her entire expression changed from innocent bystander to seasoned con artist. Daniel had seen the look before on criminals he’d placed under arrest.

Sir Bertrand had faded away, and the guards took possession of Mrs. Fairchild.

“Please give my apologies to Miss Victon,” Daniel said to Juliette. “Perhaps you and His Grace will look after her?”

“Of course.”

Daniel regretted leaving Juliette, but he now had prisoners to escort to Bow Street for interrogation.

A pang hit him as he realized he would probably never see her in a social setting again. Once his guardianship vested, they would be on vastly different paths.

Chapter 8

“I’VE MISSED THIS. I DIDN’T realize it until right this minute, but it’s true.” Juliette walked with Bertie in Hyde Park two days after her Almack’s debut. They ambled, not on the normal path but on a great swath of grass along with dozens of others. Ahead, flags had been strung and a covered platform erected. A circle of carriages defined the competition area.

Bertie carried her equipment, including her shooting jacket, lifting his face to the weak sunshine. “I hope it warms a bit. It seems it’s been cold forever. We had one nice day and then back into the frost.”