I blinked. “Gracious, that’s a fine address. Did he come into money?” I felt a frisson of hope. If he had funds, he could propose to Cynthia.

“Unfortunately, no.” Daniel shattered my ideas. “A chap from the Polytechnic on Cavendish Square hired him to do lectures. The flat is part of the salary. The man who hired him is quite wealthy, a dilettante, very clever and half runs the Polytechnic, or will, when it opens again.”

I’d heard of the Polytechnic, but I knew little about it. I would have to ask Mr. Thanos. “If Mr. Thanos will allow us to invade his flat, it sounds a good place.”

Daniel rose but remained next to the table, his expression guarded. “We’ll meet there Monday afternoon, then.”

Monday was my half day. “Early in the afternoon. The rest of the time, I spend with Grace.”

“Of course.” Daniel did not move as I stood up, which put me close to him. He regarded me with eyes so very blue, with a hint of gold inside them. “I wish . . .” he began softly.

I waited, but Daniel closed his mouth.

“You wish what?” I prompted.

Daniel lifted his fingers as though he’d trace my cheek, then dropped his hand. “I wish I could be everything you deserve, Mrs. Holloway.”

My heart beat a little bit faster. “Our lives are not our own,” I said, hearing my regret.

“No. They are not.” The distance between us increased, though I wasn’t aware of Daniel taking a step away. “But maybe one day, they will be.”

“That is my hope.”

Daniel smiled at the determination in my voice. “You teach me so much, Kat. You stare down the world and dare it to take anything away from you.”

“I’ve learned to. I’ve had very little in my life.” Now I had Grace. And for her, I’d fight the desert hordes in the Sudan if I had to.

“I’ve known strong men who despair at less adversity,” he said, “while you simply get on with things.”

“Despair does no one any good.” I tried to sound reasonable. “Best to dispense with it at once.”

Daniel’s smile broadened. He leaned down and kissed my cheek, his hand finding mine and warming it. “I always feel better for having been with you.”

I ought to have given him my usual scoff of “Nonsense” or “Get on with you, daft man,” but my emotions were topsy-turvy and the words would not form. He confused me greatly, did Daniel.

“Good night, Kat.” Daniel lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers.

Then he turned from me, disappearing into the shadows of the scullery. The door creaked, and he was gone.

*   *   *