by Wendy Vella
He saw her then, walking along the street with her maid. Something made him lean back so she did not notice him, and only when his carriage had rolled on further did he tap the roof for it to stop. Sitting with his face averted until she passed, he waited a few more minutes, then let himself out of the carriage.
“Take the carriage home, Briggs, I will walk the rest of the way.”
“Are you sure, my lord? The day is looking gray.”
Leo looked skyward. “More overcast, but I doubt it will amount to much.”
“As you wish then, my lord.”
His carriage rolled away and he fell in behind Beth. She’d not be pleased to know he was following her again; in fact, it was possible she’d be furious. Leo didn’t care, he simply wanted to understand what was going on with her, and if he had to follow her about to do that he would.
She wore a long, pale green coat and matching bonnet, her back straight, steps confident.
He stopped in the shadows as she halted in front of St. Mathew’s. To the best of his knowledge she attended church on Sunday with her aunt and cousin, but he had not realized she did so during the week.
She said something to her maid that had the woman walking away, and then ascended the church steps. Leo watched her stand outside looking at the doors that would take her inside. He ducked out of sight as she turned his way, and when he moved back, she was entering St. Mathew’s.
Leo followed. When he walked into the cool, dim interior, it was to find her coming back up the aisle. Her head was down, so she did not see him until she was close. He liked to think it was intrinsic awareness of him that caused her head to suddenly shoot up. Her wide blue eyes found him.
“L-Lord Vereton!”
“Miss Whitlow.” He bowed. “How diligent you are to come to church, when it is not even a Sunday.”
She turned and looked to the front, or perhaps to a pew, he wasn’t sure which.
“I, ah, yes. I did not sleep well last night, and felt the need of the soothing presence of a church.”
She was quick-thinking, he’d give her that.
“But you cannot have stayed for more than a few minutes. Are you feeling calmer already?”
Her face was cool, but those eyes were anything but. They were moving left and right with speed, and her hands were clenched around the ribbons of her reticule. Leo stepped closer and took hold of her wrist.
“You and I need to talk.”
Chapter Seventeen
Beth couldn’t swallow; her throat was so dry the effort made her cough. Leo was here! Stay calm, he knows nothing. She needed to get him out of here before the blackmailer came for the money.
“Is there so little to occupy you in your life that you must spend your days following me about London, Lord Vereton?”
“Actually, I was coming to visit you and saw you walking, so I decided to walk with you, but your step is swift and I did not catch you until now.”
“You are lying!” Beth decided her best defense was attack. “I insist you release me at once from this foolish betrothal, as I have no wish for you to continue to hound me day and night! My sympathies go to your future wife, for she will surely need them if this is how you behave during a fake betrothal.”
He simply smiled at her, flashing those white teeth.
“I do not have the time now for your silly games, my lord. Please step aside, as my maid waits for me outside.”
“No, I’m not going anywhere and neither are you until you give me an explanation for your odd behavior. The man in the street, the note last night, and now your brief visit to St. Mathew’s, which I happen to know is not your church.”
“You are quite mad, my lord, and I have no wish to spend a further minute in your company. Now move!”
“I think not, and if you have no wish to talk here, then we shall go to the park.”
“Admit you followed me,” Beth said, trying to throw him off-balance. The man was far too ready with his words, and rarely unsettled, which seemed unfair as that was her constant state at the moment, especially around him.
“Yes.”
He showed no remorse. Beth tried to free her arm, but he was not letting go.
“How dare you!” She went for outrage. She needed to get him outside quickly, and away from here. “You have no right to do so!”
“But we are betrothed, surely that gives me some rights,” he drawled.
Beth curled her fingers into a fist to keep herself from slapping him. No one could antagonize her like this man.
“You will hurt your hand more than my face, plus you are wearing gloves so the impact will be lessened.”
“Damn you! We are not betrothed, and I wish for you to end it at once!”
“No, and no amount of cursing on your part will change my mind.” The smile on his lips did not reach his dark eyes. Those were deadly serious.
Beth gave her arm a tug and managed to free it. She dodged around him and toward the door.
“Nice move, but you will not escape me.”
“Go away, Lord Vereton.”
“Why are you here, Beth?”
Her heart thudded faster.
“I told you why.”
“And you were lying, so let me tell you what I think. Of course it is just speculation, and yet I am very good at that. My instincts, so I am told, are second to none.”
“I doubt that, as you were taken in by Harriet Hyndmarsh, but then I have often found that men become addled by a pretty face.”
“She caught me at a weak moment.” The words came from over her left shoulder.
“Weak being the most important word in that sentence,” Beth said, taking the stairs with more haste than care. She started for the park with him now at her side. His stride was equal to two of hers, damn his long legs.
“Surely I am allowed one lapse.”
“Just the one,” she scoffed. Beth looked around, wondering, hoping, she would not see him... that beast.
“You are a heartless woman, Miss Whitlow, to hound me so.”
Beth snorted. “Me, hound you? I think you have that the wrong way round, Lord Vereton.”
“Do you know what I think?”
“I do not care.”
“It’s my belief that you are in some kind of trouble, Beth. Blackmail or—”
She stumbled, and would have fallen had he not grabbed her and resettled her back to her feet.
“Blackmail it is then.”
“I tripped!” she shrieked with far more force than necessary. Panic was coursing through her body now. Stay calm, Beth, he knows nothing, and cannot make you talk.
“No, you tripped because my words unsettled you.”
Beth made herself stop and look up at him. The sun bounced off his black hair, as he had yet to replace his hat, which he carried under one arm. His face was calm and assured, eyes now steady. Had she not seen the panic in them the night he saw Harriet Hyndmarsh, she wouldn’t have believed him capable of such an emotion. To be so assured must be a wonderful thing. Beth tried to appear so, when inside sometimes she was the opposite.
Now was one of those times.
“Go away, Leo. My life is no concern of yours. If I need help, I have a strong, capable cousin to assist me.”
His eyes caught and held hers again, and Beth could do nothing to break the contact. She was becoming far too aware of this man. It had to stop, she must put distance between them, as contact with her could put him in danger.
“Yes, there is no doubting that, but he doesn’t think anything is wrong, so obviously he is not helping you.”
“Tell me you did not question him about your ridiculous and misguided beliefs?”
“I did not, but only because I wish for you to explain them to me first.”
“I have no idea what it is you are speaking of, nor do I wish to discuss it further.”
She didn’t trip this time, and even managed to walk as if she had not a care in the world.
“You just made a noise like
someone moaning in pain.”
“I did not.” She really must stop doing that.
Beth made the mistake of looking over her shoulder at the church.
“God, I’m a fool,” he said slowly. “You were there to drop something off, and I did not realize it until now.”
Before she could stop him, Leo had turned and was running back to the church.
“Stop!” She tried to call him back, but he kept running, and Beth could do nothing but follow. She reached the church well behind Leo, and threw open the door. He was walking down the pews, running his hands under each.
“What are you doing, you foolish man?”
Ignoring her, he moved closer to where she had put the money.
“Leo, please!” Beth held her breath as he reached the pew she’d placed the money under. Her relief was acute when he moved on to the next. Exhaling slowly, she realized the blackmailer had been already. While she was pleased about that, she was not pleased that he had to have seen her with Leo, or that he could have confronted her had she still been alone.
“This is ridiculous. Good day, my lord, I am leaving.” Beth walked out the door, relieved her secret was still safe. She made it down the steps and was soon walking along the street with her heart settling back inside her chest. Was he near?
“Miss Whitlow! La, what brings you here alone at this hour?”
Lady Blanchly’s open carriage pulled to a halt on the street beside where Beth now walked. Seated beside her was Lady Hyndmarsh, looking pretty in pale blue, her porcelain skin glowing in the morning light.
“Lady Blanchly, Lady Hyndmarsh.” Beth executed the perfect curtsey, which took up a few more seconds of her time while she attempted to come up with a suitable reason as to why she was here, alone.
“I see no one accompanying you, Miss Whitlow. Surely you have not ventured out alone?”
“My maid is following, but I am quite old enough to do so, should I wish it, Lady Blanchly,” Beth said in what she liked to term her social voice. It was really a testament to her ability to present just the right facade at just the right moment, that she was able to then smile and offer a small laugh. “I am, after all, well past the age of worrying about such things.” She wasn’t, but she was not giving these women the satisfaction of seeing her off-balance.
“But your fiancé,” Harriet said with a particularly vile smile on her bow-shaped lips. “Surely he has no wish for you to do so?”
“Oh, my darling fiancé cares not a wit. You see, ours is a love that trusts. We have complete faith in each other, and are almost of one mind.” Beth clasped her hands to her breast, which may have been ladling it on a bit thick, but suddenly she wanted to do so. Harriet was not impressed, if her scowl was any indication. “Love,” Beth sighed. “It is surely a wondrous thing.”
The woman’s mouth puckered into a tiny circle that made her look silly, and made Beth feel marginally better. After all, this was the woman Leo loved, and why that annoyed her she had no idea, as she wanted no part of him... did she?
Chapter Eighteen
Leo searched the last few pews in the church, then looked around, but had no idea what he was actually looking for. He was convinced Beth had left something in here, and his instinct had been to search the entire church thoroughly, and yet if he did that she would get away without him questioning her further.
Frustrated, he left the church intent on grabbing her and shaking some sense into her if he must. His eyes went to the park, but she was not there, so he searched the street and found Beth standing beside a carriage, back straight, hands clenched at her sides, which indicated she was no happier than he that the carriage held Lady Blanchly, one of society’s biggest gossips, and the evil breaker of hearts. Looking at Harriet’s perfect features, Leo waited for the pain, but it didn’t come. Looking at Beth, however, he definitely felt something, which he found interesting. Unsettling, yes, but also interesting.
“Our love is truly a wondrous thing, Lady Hyndmarsh. It transcends the simple terms of flowery prose often used, and we communicate with just a look or a smile.”
Leo swallowed his snort at Beth’s words.
“Indeed it is, my sweet. Wondrous in no way covers the joy I feel upon rising each and every day with the knowledge that shortly you, my love, my life, will be mine.”
“Lord Vereton.” Harriet gave him a simpering smile that made his teeth snap together. How had he allowed himself to be so taken in by this woman?
“Lady Blanchly, Lady Hyndmarsh.” He bowed, and enjoyed the tightening of Harriet’s lips as she noted he’d addressed her second, even though hers was the higher rank.
“My lord, we were just discussing the fact that Miss Whitlow was out here alone,” Harriet said with a smile on her face that did not reach her eyes.
Leo made a show of looking around him. “Her maid is there, and as I was a few feet away conversing with an acquaintance, she was never alone. But of course your concern is heartwarming, my dear Lady Hyndmarsh.”
Beth made a choking sound, and he rubbed his hand up her spine, which made it straighten more, almost an impossible feat, he would have thought.
“Are you all right, my love?”
“Quite... thank you.”
“You are very forward in your endearments in a public setting, Lord Vereton,” Lady Blanchly said with a sniff.
Leo smiled, and took Beth’s hand in his, kissing her knuckles. He then placed it on his arm.
“When you finally find love, my lady, you want to let everyone share in your happiness.”
Beth made a gagging sound this time, but the ladies did not hear.
“My love for this woman consumes me,” he continued, now enjoying himself hugely. Worry still nagged at him over what Beth was up to, but he’d find out, even if he had to watch her every move. For now he was quite happy to make her extremely uncomfortable. “She has completed me,” he said, placing a hand on his chest. “And I believe I have completed her, is that not so, my sweet Miss Whitlow?”
She looked up at him, and although her lips curved upward, her eyes shot sparks. Leo loved it.
“Oh, my dear Lord Vereton, your words are too much.” She rummaged about in her reticule and found a handkerchief, which she then dabbed at her eyes. Her fingers pinched his skin through his sleeve... hard.
“Well, we cannot stand here all day,” Harriet said, shooting Beth and him a final glare. “Good day.”
They watched the carriage until it had left their sight, and Leo waited for Beth to unleash a torrent of anger on him. He was not disappointed.
“What did you think you were doing!”
“Enforcing the belief that we are to be married for love, my sweet, and as I was simply following your lead I fail to see how you can censure me. After all, our love transcends the simple terms of flowery prose.”
Even angry she was beautiful, Leo thought. Her eyes were narrowed, and focused on him. A soft band of pink rode high on her cheekbones, and those long lashes fluttered over dark blue eyes, that in this light had a touch of gray around the iris of the left one. Her hands were now on her trim hips, and if she could have done him bodily harm, he thought she would. Looking at all that fire and beauty made him want to kiss her, which of course he would not do as he wasn’t sure he’d walk away unscathed in her current mood.
“If you ever want a chance to have that woman at your side, you just ruined it.”
“Why would you believe I wish to be with her?” Leo was unsure where this conversation was heading, but was sure he would not like it.
“Because you once loved her, and while you have vowed you no longer do so, I am not certain you speak the truth.”
Leo shook his head. Surely she was not serious?
“In fact, I believe I will tell Lady Hyndmarsh that you could not wed me as you still love her.”
He shuddered. “I never want that woman close to me again, as I have already told you, so you can stop whatever this foolishness is at once. Good Lord, do you real
ly wish me to have a life with such a demanding woman?”
“Pffft.” Beth waved a hand at him. “How temperamental men are, when a few days ago you were distraught to see her again... so broken, I may add, that you grabbed the nearest woman, who unfortunately happened to be me, and declared our betrothal.”
She had him there.
“Yes, it was not one of my finer moments, however clarity soon returned, and I realized the woman was all you believed her to be.”
“How fickle you are, my lord. To carry her in your heart for six years, and suddenly you no longer care.”
Her chin was elevated and she was giving him a haughty glare, and he knew then exactly what she was about. Beth was attempting to throw him off the scent. She thought by bringing up Harriet, she could distract him from the church and his belief she was being blackmailed. How wrong she was.
“Well, I am not about to convince you here in the middle of the street, where anyone could chance upon us, my dear Miss Whitlow. However, I know where we can have some privacy.” Leo took her arm.
“Let me go. I have no wish for privacy with you!”
She tried to fight him, and stay where she was, but Leo simply started walking, so she was forced to go with him, or land on her face.
“I have a maid.”
“Congratulations.”
“Who is awaiting me!”
Leo looked behind him, and found the woman lurking.
“You may head home now, your mistress is safe with me.”
“Very well, my lord.” The maid bobbed a curtsey, sent him another look, then walked away.
“You have no right to dismiss my maid!”
Beth turned, no doubt to stop the maid from leaving, but Leo simply turned her back and clamped a hand over her mouth until the maid was out of reach.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“Gagging you, and it is thoroughly effective. I shall have to remember the technique.”
Her mouth opened, and then closed again. Leo thought the silence would only be temporary.
“You cannot simply dismiss my maid, and... and abduct me.”