“I don’t need to be jealous, but possessive? Uncontrollably violent?” Sam shrugged. “Sure, why not.”
“Sam!” Daisy chided. “There is no need for violence.”
Sam folded his arms.
“Sometimes there is a need for violence,” Chase said. He glanced at his pocket watch.
“I suppose there is no need for Miss Smith—er, Miss Brandon—to come around?” Daisy asked.
“You told her?” Chase asked incredulously.
Sam scoffed. “Of course I told her.”
“Her identity and presence are secret. For her safety,” Chase explained.
Daisy nodded. “I understand. I hope she finds a husband soon so she can feel safe.”
Chase nodded sharply and then folded his arms, his face a stone façade of resolute something Sam couldn’t name. But it was intense. He’d already suspected Chase was more than usually protective of the woman. But was it more? A nurse would be one thing, but did her station as a gentlewoman put her out of his reach? Sam knew nothing about him. He could be a bloody prince for all they knew. But he suspected there was some military background. He seemed like a battle-hardened soldier.
“I suppose I’ll have to stay here,” Daisy said.
“The Den is not a place for you,” Chase said.
Sam bristled. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
“And I,” Daisy said pointedly.
“Of course,” Sam said. “And you. But I do think it best you remain here. I don’t want Mrs. Dove-Lyon getting ideas about using you in one of her schemes.” He waited for Chase to defend the widow and imply she’d never use an innocent young lady for her own gain. But Chase remained quiet.
“I’ll meet you outside,” Sam said. Chase nodded to Daisy and quit the room. Sam wiped his face and stood. Daisy set her fork down, her face betraying her trepidation. Sam came to her side of the table and bent to trail his lips along her neck.
“I’ll return as soon as possible.”
“And what will I do?”
Everything his mind produced involved her waiting naked in bed for him, but he knew that was an unlikely fantasy. “Amelia will be up soon. She’ll keep you company.”
“Shouldn’t my brother go with you?”
Sam straightened. “I need to do this on my own.”
She turned and looked up at him. “I wasn’t implying you couldn’t.”
He stroked a hand over her hair. “I know. But I still needed to say it.”
He gathered his hat and coat and met Chase out front a few minutes later. The trip to the Den was short and quiet. Arriving there, Chase took Sam straight up to the widow’s private parlor and Sam entered behind him. Sam took the seat before Mrs. Dove-Lyon offered it, and Chase departed.
“Don’t waste time with pleasantries,” Sam said plainly as soon as Chase had shut the door.
She scoffed. “You’re impertinent.”
“I’m impatient.”
“Very well. I had the pleasure of coming across some valuable information last night that I found to be quite a happy accident and, wouldn’t you know, I’ve found a way for you to repay your debt in a way that would benefit us both.”
“Carry on.”
“You are familiar with the Earl of Claystone.”
