“I must go home now,” I said. “Keep out of sight and let my two trusty friends take care of you. You’ll be quite safe with them.”
“I’m sure I shall.” Katherine looked around her. “In fact I shall be so comfortable here that I may never want to leave.”
I smiled as I walked to the front door. I had the same warm feelings about Nine Patchin Place. I hadn’t wanted to leave either. My little home across the street still felt like a bleak substitute, but at least I didn’t have to worry that Shamey and Bridie were living in an unbearable slum.
I stepped out into the night and pulled my wrap around me as I crossed the street. As I went to open my front door a figure stepped out of the shadows and an arm grabbed me.
I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
“It’s only me,” Daniel’s voice said.
“Holy Mother of God! My heart nearly jumped right out of my chest,” I said.
Daniel stepped out of the shadows into the light of the street lamp. “I had to see you. I’ve just called at your house but they said you weren’t home.”
“I was across the street with Sid and Gus,” I said. “What do you mean by scaring me half to death?”
“I heard about the fire. I got there just in time to see you in the arms of that Singer fellow. Before I could reach you, you went off in a cab with him.”
“I was naturally upset, having just escaped from being burned to death. Jacob comforted me.”
“Ah, so that’s all it was. That’s fine then.” The lines of concern had melted from his face. Anger welled up inside me.
“No, that’s not all it was. I think you should know that he’s asked me to marry him.”
He looked at me for a second, then laughed. “Of course you’re not going to marry him.”
“Oh, and why not, pray? Does the New York police force have jurisdiction over marriages these days?”
“You’re not going to marry him because you don’t love him.”
“How do you know that I don’t love him?”
“Because you love me and you can’t love two people at once.”
“I loved you,” I corrected. “But I grew tired of waiting. Almost a year has gone by, Daniel, and still you haven’t told Miss Norton of my existence.”
The flickering light of the gas lamp lit his face. He was wearing his greatcoat with the collar turned up and the wind tugged at his unruly curls. As usual the physical attraction of the man was overwhelming. I fought it.
“The time has never been right, Molly. I work so darned hard that I barely have time to sleep. I have hardly seen Miss Norton for months and when I do see her, the time just goes before I can pluck up courage. I told you it has to be done properly. If I make her feel betrayed, she will stop at nothing until she has ruined me completely and utterly. She might appear sweet but she has a ruthless streak in her nature.”
“If you chose such a person to marry—your advancement must indeed mean a lot to you.”
“I was a young man when I first proposed to her. She seemed sweet and delicate and all that a man could want in a wife.”
“Rich too, of course. And influential.”
“That was taken into consideration. But I didn’t have a chance to see any of her faults until later.”
“And now it seems you would rather live with her faults than risk her wrath. That doesn’t say much for your character.”
“I agree. I have been a hopeless coward where this is concerned. I just beg you, do not do anything rash to spite me.”
“If I marry Jacob, it will not be to spite you. It will be because he is kind and caring and honorable and will take good care of me.”
“When did you ever need anyone to take care of you?” That roguish smile crossed his lips.
“Maybe I have had enough of trying to fend for myself. And I can help him with his work too. He is making a difference, Daniel.”
“And I am not?”
“Of course you are, but Jacob does his work for love, and you do yours for ambition. He could make a lot of money from his photographs but chooses to take pictures to arouse the public conscience. He is actively seeking to better the lot of those poor people who have no voice of their own. It’s a noble cause.”
“But not your cause. I don’t see you as a rabid socialist by nature,” Daniel said. “When your enthusiasm wanes, what will you have left then?”
“Mutual respect and affection.”
“Is that enough, Molly?”
“It may have to be, Daniel. If you came to me tomorrow and told me that you were free of your engagement and asked me to marry you, I might well consider it, but I do not intend to become an elderly spinster while I sit at home waiting.”
“You could always have written to Miss Norton yourself. That would have brought matters to a head.”
I shook my head. “Oh no, Daniel. Either you come to me willingly, freely, and with your whole heart, or not at all. It has to be your choice and yours alone. You should go now. The night is cold to be standing outside.”
“You could ask me in.”