A Notorious Love by Sabrina Jeffries

one of us. It came as quite a shock.”
    “I know.” He paused to flash her a smile. “And I don’t much blame him. He only wanted to protect his daughters. Any man would do the same.”
    “I suppose.” But she suspected Daniel wouldn’t. He seemed too forthright to do such a thing.
    They ate in a companionable silence. For the first time since she’d left home, she felt less anxious about the future. Though her body ached more by the moment, everything else was going well. The stalwart Daniel seemed capable of anything, even tracking down her foolish sister. He’d succeeded thus far, after all, and surely now that they were on the right road, they’d be done with this soon.
    They had nearly finished when the obnoxious innkeeper’s wife approached. “Anything else you’ll be needing, Mr. Brennan, or shall we settle the bill?”
    What did the woman think—that they’d flee the premises before she got her money? Helena was sorelytempted to speak her mind, but before she could, Daniel did, and far more genially.
    “Actually, there is something else.” With an ingratiating smile, he drew out the miniature of Juliet and the sketch of Mr. Pryce. “If you’d be so kind as to look at these…my wife and I are searching for this couple. I thought they might’ve come this way. Have you seen them?”
    Planting her reddened hands on bony hips, the woman cast the images a cursory glance. “Can’t say as I have,” she said belligerently.
    “Are you sure? I realize that a woman who runs an inn so competently must be dreadful busy, but you might’ve noticed the young lass.” He slid the miniature toward her. “It’s my darling wife’s sister, y’see, and the man in the sketch is a varlet who’s stolen her off for her fortune.”
    “A fortune hunter, is it?” she asked, eyes narrowing.
    “Yes. You seem to be a hardworking woman, so I know you wouldn’t like to see your own daughter taken advantage of by a man who wants only to live off the work of others…” He trailed off meaningfully.
    The woman unbent a little. “Aye.” She regarded Daniel steadily. “Come from London, did you? You sound like a cit”
    “That’s where I live now, but I was raised in Sussex. My dear English mother ran an inn herself. You remind me of her a bit.”
    “Do I? What was her name?” the innkeeper’s wife asked with clear interest.
    “Molly. My father was an Irish soldier. They’re together to this day.”
    “Molly Brennan of Sussex. I think I’ve heard of her. Good woman, as I recall.”
    “The best,” Daniel said reverently, and the womansoftened still further. It was all Helena could do not to snort. Lord, could he spin a tale when it served him. Even she knew that his mother had been hanged alongside Wild Danny. And highwaymen’s accomplices did not run inns.
    The woman peered at the sketch once more. After a moment, she poked at it with one spindly finger. “There was a man like this in here two days ago. Handsome gent, but I could tell he was no good He was in quite the rush.”
    “There was no woman with him?” Daniel prodded.
    “If there was, I didn’t see her. The fellow was in a coach, y’see. It stopped long enough to change horses, and this one ran in to fetch food from the kitchen, then run out. Never did see who else was in the coach. I don’t think he was alone, howsomever, because he asked for two of everything to go with his loaf of bread—two apples, two hunks of cheese, two glasses. He paid for the glasses, too.”
    “You’ve been most helpful, madam.” Daniel withdrew his heavy purse. “We might as well settle accounts now. You did say it would be ten shillings, nine pence, didn’t you?”
    “Yes.” She watched with keen eyes as he removed several coins from his purse.
    “Here’s eleven shillings for the delicious dinner.” He plunked down two crowns and a shilling, then added another crown. “And five more for the information.” He dropped the purse onto the table beside