by Wendy Vella
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a gentle smile. He’d never seen that one before, hers were usually social smiles, but this one was genuine, and for him alone.
“Come.” Stepping back, he held out a hand. She took it willingly. Seating her in the carriage minutes later, he tapped the roof, and they were soon moving.
“I wish to discuss the matter of our marriage, Leo. I have given it some thought and am not sure it is the best course for us, therefore, I want you to know that if you change your mind then I will understand.”
He let the silence settle between them while he kept his eyes steady on her face.
“This is the last discussion we have on this matter, Beth. I want you to be my wife, and I hope you want me as your husband.”
She was nervous, and no doubt scared. For so long she had lived with her secret, and now he knew it. They’d made love, decided to marry, and there was also a blackmailer to contend with. Leo marveled at her resilience; most would have taken to bed under the weight of just one of those things.
“Very well, but we will discuss this further later.”
“No we won’t.”
She huffed out a breath, then surprised him by holding out a hand to him. He took it, slipping her fingers inside his.
“I’m nervous about this, Leo.”
“As you have every right to be. But I am here, Beth, and will let nothing and no one hurt you again.
“You can’t make promises like that.”
She was looking out the window.
“I can, love, because you are important to me, and going to be my wife.”
Her eyes widened at his endearment. “Do you really wish that, Leo?”
“I wish it, Beth.”
She looked at him then, and whatever she saw in his eyes made her nod.
The rest of the journey was conducted in silence. He escorted her inside the Night Street building and into one of the interview rooms when they arrived.
“I will return shortly. Try not to worry.” Leo brushed a kiss over her lips, and wondered if there would ever come a time when he tired of doing that. Closing the door, he told Perkins to take her tea, before making his way downstairs.
When the others arrived, he was ready with what needed to be said.
“Just because you have no woman in your bed is no reason to drag us from ours, Noble.”
“Sit, we have things to discuss.”
The tone of his voice had them doing as he asked. All levity was soon gone, replaced by seriousness.
“Firstly, I must tell you all that Miss Whitlow is upstairs in one of the interview rooms.”
“Beth here… why?” Nick started to rise, but Leo waved him back into the chair.
“Hear me out, and then I shall bring her down if you are all happy that she know your identities.”
They nodded.
“Since the night I announced our betrothal I have come to realize that something is very wrong with Beth. Last night she told me what it is.”
“Dear Christ, what?” Nick’s voice was hoarse.
“She is being blackmailed, but there is a great deal more to it than that.”
“She told you, but not me!” Nick looked shattered.
“I guessed,” Leo said. “I came upon her a few times, and her actions alerted me to the fact that something was gravely wrong.”
“Why did you not tell me of your suspicions?”
“I did not know if they had any substance, Nick,” Leo said calmly. “Now I do. Plus I had no right to tell you anything until Beth gave me permission to do so.”
Nick cursed loudly. “My cousin is in trouble and did not tell me. Why?”
“That is for her to explain,” Leo said.
“But why she told you before me is something I wish to know. Especially considering that to my knowledge the two of you do not like each other very much. I have admitted I think a union between you would benefit you both, but I did not hold out great hope it would actually happen. What has changed, Leo, that she would confide in you but not me?”
He’d known this question was coming.
“I care about her,” Leo said.
“You love her, Noble,” Jacob said. “I can see it in you.”
“How can you possibly see something like that?” Leo scoffed. “Marriage is making you soft.”
“Ah, the man protests,” Marcus said, smiling. “A sure sign he has lost his heart.”
Leo tried to glare around the table, but he ended up sighing.
“Have things changed between you and my cousin, Leo?” Nick asked.
He nodded. “They have, and we will be married.”
“I could not have picked a better man for Beth. But for now I wish to clear up the matter of this danger she is in.”
“Are you all happy for her to know your identities?” He looked around the table at his friends. Each nodded, and he released the breath he’d been holding.
Leo rose and left the room. Beth was pacing when he entered; she hurried to meet him.
“Are the others here, Leo?”
“They are, and if you are ready, my colleagues would like to meet you.”
“They are happy for me to know their identities?”
Leo moved closer and took her hands in his.
“They are, and Beth, I need you to know now that Nick is one of them.”
“Nick, my cousin?” she whispered.
Leo nodded. “We are all noblemen, and have been investigating cases for some time now. After returning from the war, we needed to do something with our skills. This worked well for us.”
“I can scarcely believe it. Nick and you,” Beth said. “I have heard of the Lords of Night Street, of course, but I had no idea you were all actually noblemen. I’m guessing that Lord Hatherton and Lord Needly are involved also?”
“They are. Are you ready to meet with them now?”
She took the hand he held out to her, and let him lead her from the room. They walked down the stairs, and when Nick saw her, he got to his feet and came forward.
“Beth, are you all right?”
She nodded, and fell into his arms. The cousins hugged, and Leo heard Nick talking to her, asking her why she had not come to him.
“I’m sorry, Nick. In the beginning I told no one but my aunt, but now… since the letters, I have come to realize I cannot deal with the blackmailer alone. I sent word to Night Street, and it was Leo who came to meet me.”
“Come and take a seat now.” Leo took her arm, and led her to where Jacob held out a chair. Leo stayed standing; he needed to pace.
“You know everyone here,” he said, acknowledging his friends. She nodded.
“Do you wish to tell the story, or shall I, Beth?”
“You tell it.”
He felt her tension again, and this time it was matched by her cousin’s.
He talked, telling them all he knew. He did not elaborate on the incident with Lloyd, stating only that he had behaved badly toward Beth.
“You should have told me!” The words exploded from Nick. His face was tight with anger.
“When, Nick? We were not close,” Beth said with a calm Leo was proud of.
“Later, when we were, you should have told me then, Beth. I would have killed the bastard!”
“Perhaps, but then I had no wish to live through that again. I believed the past was better left alone, and it would have stayed that way had the letters not started.”
Leo fought the urge to pluck her out of her seat and resettle her in his lap. He wondered if she would ever acknowledge her strength. To have faced her fears and put back the pieces of her shattered life the best way she could took a strong will many would not have had.
“All right, I will not pursue this point as you are now seeking help,” Nick added. “But will you tell me now if you believe it was this Mr. Lloyd who killed your father?”
“I do. They dismissed it as a hunting accident, but I knew better. I told Aunt,
but she thought it best to stay silent on the matter, as who would have believed me? A distraught daughter, who had spent a few days with this man, and all who attended that house party could attest to the fact I liked Lloyd. So I just kept it inside until I told Leo last night.”
“She had no right to make you stay silent. Christ, the man should have been tried for murder!” Nick said.
“He left for France soon after, and there I believe he stayed… until now, if it is he who is doing this to me.”
“I’m going to kill this Lloyd!” Nick got to his feet and started pacing.
“Stand in line,” Leo said, watching him.
“We need to trap him,” Jacob said calmly. “Find a way to lure him out, then grab him. Whoever it is will not stop until we make him, Miss Whitlow.”
She nodded. “Please call me Beth.”
“And we are Marcus and Jacob.”
She smiled. It was strained, but a smile nonetheless.
“We will start investigating. Someone will know if Lloyd is back in London, then we need to locate him,” Nick said.
“I could be used to lure him out.”
“Absolutely not!” Leo and Nick stated together.
“But don’t you see, there is no one else who can do this. Searching for him will take time. However, if he sends word again, then surely it is best I do as he states, and you can step in when he comes to collect the money.”
“I forbid it!” Leo said, still pacing.
“Actually, it’s the perfect plan,” Jacob said. “And we will all be there watching over her, so there is no danger.”
“There is always danger!”
“Think about this clearly, Leo. Put emotion aside, and understand that to catch this man we must use Beth to lure him out,” Marcus said. “It is the fastest way, and we will ensure she stays safe.”
“I am the only one who knows what he looks like, too.”
“We are not even sure it is him. Besides, you saw him that day and couldn’t positively identify him,” Leo said.
“He is older, as am I, and his face was in the shadows. Were I to see him clearly, I would know for certain.”
“Christ.” Nick ran a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. “My cousin has been living in terror, and I knew nothing.”
“Nick, you couldn’t know if I chose not to tell you.”
Leo watched Beth reach across the table for her cousin’s hand. Nick gripped it hard.
“I’m sorry, Beth, for the distance I allowed between us for so long.”
“No, I am as much to blame, and this is no more your fault than mine, Nick.”
Beth sent Leo a look. “I know that now, and I know that I want whoever is doing this stopped, so I can move on with my life.”
“With me,” Leo growled, making his friends smile.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Beth was in her garden when Leo arrived the following afternoon. She felt him, which was ridiculous, but something made her turn, and there he was, stalking down the grass toward her. She’d sent him word that she’d received another note from the blackmailer.
Beth took a moment to enjoy his body in motion. Hat in a large hand, body clothed immaculately. No one wore clothes quite like Leo. The memory of her hands on his bare chest made color fill her cheeks.
Rising, she brushed the dirt from her skirts to give herself a few seconds for the color to subside.
“Now, what has put those roses in your cheeks?”
He stopped before her, his hands wrapping around her upper arms.
“It’s warm out here.”
“No it’s not. It’s quite cold, in fact.”
She made herself look up at his handsome face. Her stomach fluttered, and she had the silly urge to kiss him again. Then there was the happiness that seemed to fill her when he was near.
“Do you know what I think, Miss Whitlow?” His smile was wicked. “I think you were remembering the things we did to each other in the carriage.”
“Leo, stop it.” She looked around, but there was no one nearby.
“I could lure you into those bushes and kiss you again if you wish it?”
Her body turned to liquid in seconds at the image his words created.
“Stop it, you wicked man.”
His laugh was deep. Sliding a hand around her waist, he kissed her with all the hunger they both now felt. When she was breathless, her head resting on his chest, she told him her other news.
“That day you followed me to the shop, Leo. Do you remember that girl who came in, Jessica?”
“I do.” He kissed the top of her head.
“She came in again yesterday, Heather sent me word. And she had her bag, and handed over my card. I have taken steps to have her removed from London to Nick’s estate. She will be safe there.”
“And you have saved another,” he said gently. “My brave Miss Whitlow has succeeded yet again.”
“It means a great deal to me.”
“I know it does, and I also know why. It is good that you are doing this, my sweet. Never doubt I am proud of you.”
Hearing his words meant so much to Beth.
“Now show me the note.”
She moved out of his arms and pulled the paper from her pockets. The lightness left Leo’s face as he read out loud the missive she’d handed him.
“You ruined my life, Miss Whitlow,” he read. “Now I want you to pay. Bring three of your most expensive pieces of jewelry to the Hamilton masked ball. Enter the maze at midnight, and keep walking, I will find you. If you do not come, I will go after your sweet little sister-in-law.”
“How can he accuse me of ruining his life when the reverse is true.” Beth wrapped her arms around her waist, suddenly cold. “It was me who paid the price for what he did. I suffered, while he walked away after violating me, and then murdering my father.”
“I think his mind is not stable, Beth. There will be no more pretense, it seems. He has declared his hand, telling you he is Lloyd,” Leo said, folding the note and putting it in his pocket. “I don’t want you anywhere near him, Beth. We may have to wait until he—”
“No, Leo. It must be the night of the Hamilton ball. I cannot let him harm Grace, and we both know he is capable of that and more. Now we know it is him, he must be dealt with and soon.”
“I don’t want you hurt.” Leo opened his arms, and she walked into them.
“I know, and I also know that will never happen now I have you, Nick, and the others watching over me.”
“I won’t lose you, Beth.” He held her face in his hands. “Not now.”
The words were there suddenly, words she’d never believed herself capable of speaking. Did she dare give herself to this man totally?
“I love you, Leo.”
“Pardon?” He actually blinked.
“I said I love you, Leo. I do not expect you to reciprocate, but I need you to hear the words, as I never believed I would speak them to another person after my father passed. You have unlocked something inside of me, Leo—”
He made a strangled sound in his throat, then pressed his forehead to hers.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“Really?” Beth wanted to shout for joy. Danger hung over her, but right at that moment all that mattered was the man who held her… her love. Leo.
“Really. It crept up on me when I was not looking, and before I knew it there you were, inside my heart.”
“I have so much to live for now, Leo. So much to look forward to. I want that, but first we must catch Lloyd.”
“I will take no risks with you, Beth.”
She kissed him, pressing her lips to his, her hands on his lapels holding him close.
“No risks, Leo. I will be safe, I promise.”
“I will make sure of it. I have to leave you now, love. The Hamilton ball is two nights away only, and I must speak with the others. I would ask you to stay inside until then, Beth. Ask that you stay safe until I come back and tell you of our plan
s. Will you do that for me?”
“I will, but I will not take orders so readily when we are married and the threat is gone.”
He gave her a slow smile, the one that made her pulse flutter.
“I shall depend upon it, my love.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Leo felt sick. His stomach was twisted in knots, and he had a feeling of impending doom that he could not shake. There were hundreds of people milling around the Hamilton ballroom, and many more outside walking the gardens and maze.
“She has arrived.”
His body snapped to attention as he followed Jacob’s gaze and found Beth. She was walking toward him with Grace and Nick.
Her dress was white with a lace overskirt. It caressed her lush body and swirled around her ankles as she walked. When had he ever been so aware of a woman simply crossing the room before?
“Grace, Poppy, and Charlotte decided white was the best color for visibility in the maze,” Jacob said.
Leo managed to nod, but could not take his eyes from the vision walking toward him. Her mask was white also. Her golden hair was piled on top of her head, and adorned with tiny pearls.
“What?”
“What?” He dragged his eyes from Beth to look at Jacob.
“You made a strangled sound as if you were in pain.”
“No, I did not.”
Jacob smiled. “Yes, you did actually. And can I say I like your future wife? She’s the perfect woman for you.”
“How so?”
“She’s strong, and knows her mind, so you won’t be able to bend her to your will constantly.”
“That was not a compliment.”
“Harriet was never the right one for you, Leo. Surely you can see that now?”
He nodded. “I can, and will add that it is a relief Hyndmarsh took her before I was saddled with her.”
“It’s nice to see you finally succumbing like the rest of us, my friend.”
“Yes, but I will never be as pathetic as you three,” he said, still looking at Beth. She was close now, and the tension inside climbed. Tonight, God willing, they would settle this business with Lloyd, and he and Beth could move on with their lives… together.
“Too late, you’ve already capitulated,” Jacob drawled.