Her mother’s concern for her brought what they'd all been through into sharp relief. Beth had tried her hardest to keep her own fear and worry at bay over the last few days, but there was something about your mother’s voice that make it okay to let yourself feel everything. Oh, but poor Anne, Beth thought. More than anything she wanted to be there for her sister right now. She and Jonathan were both alive, but the thought of her baby sister going through all that pain without her was like a punch to Beth's stomach, and she wanted to curl around it and sob.
“I'm sorry you can't see them,” Chase said gently, coming out of the bathroom and crouching in front of Beth. He reached up, tucking a lock of her now dark hair behind her ear, wiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks with his thumb.
“I understand,” Beth hiccupped.
The reason her family hadn't been seen by the main staff at the City Royal hospital was because they weren't there. They had been taken there the day of the wedding, but as soon as her father and Anne’s injuries had stabilized they had been moved, secretly spirited away in the dead of night to a military hospital. A core group of staff at the City Royal had been pretending to look after them ever since. Everyone was used to that suite at the hospital being restricted access, so no one else thought anything of it. Jack had explained to Beth that if she were to go and see them it would draw unwanted attention to their location, undoing all the work that his team had done to create safety for her family.
“Did you at least get to speak to them all?” Chase asked, gesturing to the pre-pay phone Beth had been turning over and over in her hands. When she nodded he took it from her, removing and crushing the SIM card. The phone at the other end of that call would be receiving similar treatment. Beth understood why, even if she didn’t like the fact it meant she wouldn't be able to speak to her family again until Jack gave them another number to use.
“How are they doing?” Chase asked.
“Okay,” Beth whispered. “But poor Anne.” Her tears intensified, and she let out a strangled sob.
Without saying a word Chase lifted himself from the back of his heels and sat next to her on the bed. His presence radiated warmth and comfort through her as he pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms. She let herself cry, big heaving sobs. She couldn't hold it back any longer. The tension of the last few days had been overwhelming, and her fear for the coming days had drained her completely. But it was Anne's news that had tipped her over the edge. Her baby sister had been shot in the abdomen. Fortunately, they had been able to stop the bleeding and save her life. Unfortunately, her womb was damaged beyond repair. Anne wouldn't be able to have children, something Beth knew could destroy her sister.
Growing up, they'd spend hours talking about the families they would have, Beth having resigned herself to the position of doting aunt. After all she'd have to completely trust the motives of any man who wanted to have a family with her, something she'd learnt wasn't possible. But Anne had continued to dream about being a mother. She and Jonathan were planning to start their family as soon as possible after the wedding. At least four children, they'd decided. Now those dreams were ruined. Beth would never get to be the favorite aunt.
Sobs wracked her body as she clung to Chase, feeling hollowed out by her grief for her sister’s loss, for her own loss. Eventually her tears began to slow, as if there just wasn't any moisture left in her body. As she finally came back to the present a wave of embarrassment came over her as she realized she'd been clinging to Chase as though he was her salvation, and his t-shirt was saturated.
“I'm sorry,” she muttered, eyes cast down as she avoided his gaze.
Gently placing a finger under her chin, Chase lifted her face so she had to look up at him. He didn't speak, just looked at her. His gaze was full of something she couldn't quite identify. His slate grey eyes darkened as they flickered from hers to her lips. He continued staring at her, as if he were wrestling with something. Eventually he gave a resigned sigh and rested his forehead against hers.
'Why don't you try and get some sleep?' he said, his voice low.
Despite everything, or maybe because of it, Beth realized that she was exhausted. Wordlessly she nodded her agreement before crawling up the bed, and pulling the covers over herself she sank into a deep sleep.
Chapter Nineteen
Sitting at the end of the bed Chase dragged a hand down his face, the rasp as he passed the rapidly developing six o'clock shadow on his jaw the only sound in the room. He needed to pull it together. When the Commander had ordered him to stay with Beth he'd been completely torn. On one hand if he was with her he could try to keep her safe, but on the other he couldn't believe she was going through with this ridiculous plan. He readily ignored the fact that it was tactically sound and in ordinary circumstances he would suggest it himself. These weren't ordinary circumstances. This was Beth they were talking about, and she shouldn't be put in harm’s way like this.
He swallowed hard, and a painful contraction squeezed his chest at the thought of something happening to her. What if he wasn't good enough to keep her safe? He knew it wasn't just the normal concern for his charge. He liked and respected Beth. He didn't want to lead her back in to danger. He wanted to bundle her up and keep her safely locked away. If that meant staying in hiding forever surely that would be better than the awful alternative.
Carefully moving off the bed, he lay out on its twin, stretched out on his back with ankles crossed. He should have pushed the Commander harder. He’d known Jack Cheshire for years, already working for the man when his father had killed himself, and the Commander certainly knew everything about him. In those years Chase had come to know exactly when the man was going to agree to a plan. Despite their history together Chase knew he’d been skating on thin ice when he’d challenged the Commander in public like that, but damn it, he didn’t like the situation and he certainly didn’t like the flicker of interest that had started at the realization he would be returning Beth to her normal life, a move that would give him the best chance of investigating just what had happened with the crash, and whether William Worthington’s retreat from the airline when it had happened was significant.
Now in the silence of the night Chase questioned whether he’d held back from further argument because he’d known the Commander wasn’t going to listen to him, because he wanted to use the chance to find out more about the crash or because he was worried the man would suspect the real reason he was so interested in Beth’s wellbeing. Surely he hadn’t let a situation arise where she could be in real peril again because of his pride?
Switching off the light, he propped his arms behind his head. In the near dark he focused on pushing the gut-wrenching images of an injured or dying Beth from his mind. He might not like it, but at least if he was with Beth he had a chance of keeping her safe. He sure as hell wasn’t about to trust anyone else to.
****
Sitting absolutely still in the back of the black cab as Beth fidgeted next to him tugging at the hem of her t-shirt nervously while they approached the estate, he resisted the urge to comfort her.
“The café’s still open, but they won't be there, ya know,” the cabbie commented.
“What do you mean?” Beth asked.
“The Worthington family,” he said. “No one’s been there since the wedding. Reckon they're all at the hospital with Lord Worthington. God rest his soul,” the man said.
“He's not dead,” Beth protested.
Chase frowned at the vehemence in her tone, her protest stronger than it should be for a mere visitor.
“Won't be long, they reckon,” the man said. “No justice in the world, I tell you. A good man like him lying there dying ‘cos of some idiot what can't see how much good that family do and poor Elizabeth missing.”
Despite his earlier intentions Chase laced his fingers into Beth’s, giving a reassuring squeeze.
“You support the family then?” Chase asked, giving Beth a half grin.
“Course, just lik
e most right-minded people. The crash was horrible, but they are making sure to get better, and they do loads of good for our country, with all them jobs they create and all that charity stuff. Just seems there's a few nutters out there what can't see that,” he replied, giving Chase an appraising look from his rearview mirror. “You're not one of them, are you?” he asked, his tone suspicious.
“Of course not,” Chase replied, trying not to laugh. He turned to Beth before quietly adding. “I probably think more highly of a particular family member than I'm allowed to.”
He smiled at the blush that radiated across her face. For someone of her position she was surprisingly unworldly, and he adored the way she blushed so easily.
As they pulled up, Chase paid the driver, and Beth thanked him for the smooth journey.
“You’re welcome,” the cabbie replied with an easy smile. “Hey, miss,” he called as they began to walk away.
Turning around, Beth smiled. “Yes.”
“Anyone ever tell you, you look like Elizabeth Worthington?”
Beth froze, jaw hanging open.
“You get that all the time don’t you, darling?” Chase chuckled, slinging an arm around her shoulders and easing her away from the cab towards the estate, towards her home.
Hearing the cab pull away, Chase looked up at the estate that had been Beth’s home for most of her life. Dropped off at the edge of the sprawling gravel car park, they walked across the beautifully manicured lawn to approach the house. Although calling it a house seemed more like an outright lie than an understatement.
Three floors of tall but slim windows peered down at them as they moved closer. Built from some kind of pale stone, the place could have passed for a castle with its turrets and the giant doorway that dominated the front of the building. It couldn’t have been any more different from his own life. Whilst he’d grown up in a nice middle-class village cottage, his family didn’t even have that anymore. Despite his efforts to help her move somewhere nicer, his mum still lived in the rundown block of flats the council had placed her in after his dad’s suicide. He’d never really thought about it, but if anyone had asked him, he would have said he wasn’t bothered by money, wasn’t impressed by it and it certainly didn’t make him feel insecure. But as they approached the main building on Beth’s family estate he realized he’d have been lying. Whatever he might have thought about people with money, one thing was strikingly clear, he was right to fight his attraction to Beth. She was so far out of his league there was no way in hell she’d be happy with him for the long term.
He’d had her describe the layout of the grounds before they’d left the hotel, so he was happy to follow her lead as she headed towards the guardhouse on the side of the building. Letting her lead the way meant he could keep his attention focused on their surroundings. It was unlikely there would be a threat lurking on the off chance she came home, but he didn’t want to take any chances.
As they arrived at the window to the guard house, which it turned out was just a fancy name for an oversized porch with lots of glass and CCTV monitors, the guard addressed Beth.
“The visitor’s entrance is about three hundred yards that way, but I'm afraid the estate is closed at the moment. The café is open if you want refreshments though.” The guard’s tone was pleasant but brooked no nonsense.
“Mr. Peters,” Beth said, addressing the guard, who fortunately it seemed she knew.
It was a sign of how well her changed appearance and casual clothes disguised her that a member of her own household guards didn't recognize her, clearly mistaking them for a pair of tourists. Unfortunately, what had helped up to now was a problem. They needed her to be recognized. One glance at the metal grating over the door behind him confirmed Chase’s suspicion that it would remain firmly secured until a signal was given to the colleague on the other side to open it, something it seemed Peters wouldn't do for just anyone. It was frustrating to have to deal with this but reassuring that the security measures for the house were decent.
“I am Elizabeth Worthington. Please kindly arrange for me to gain access to my home,” she continued politely.
“What?” Peters asked, clearly confused.
Chase took over for Beth. “Mr. Peters, correct?” Chase clarified.
“Yes,” the man confirmed.
“I’m Trooper Maddox, a member of the military unit assigned with the protection of the Worthington family at this time. I have been asked to escort Miss Worthington home. I suggest you contact your commanding officer and make whatever arrangements you need to allow that to happen,” he ordered.
Looking anxiously from Chase to Beth and back again. Mr. Peters coughed nervously before darting into the guard booth and speaking hastily into his radio. Although they couldn't hear what he was saying, the amount of hand gesturing and glancing back at them made it obvious he was having an anxious conversation with his colleague the other side of the gate.
After what seemed like forever he finally came out and awkwardly suggested that Beth come and sit in the booth. Although not convinced, he and his colleague appeared to have decided they'd better treat her as though she was in fact Miss Worthington, just in case. Clearly given the task of keeping an eye on them both as his colleague tried to find out what was going on, Mr. Peters’s eyes darted between Chase and Beth continually. Through the gate they could see the second guard’s two-way radio getting some heavy use.
“I'm terribly sorry we didn't warn you I was coming.” Beth tried to reassure the worried man as she sat down in the only chair in the booth. “I'm sure you appreciate I have to be extremely cautious at the moment. We couldn't risk the wrong people knowing how to find me.”
Peters nodded at her weakly, eyes settling on Chase for a brief moment before continuing to dart around restlessly, his tension clearly rising as the time passed.
Chase placed his hand on Beth's shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. They'd known it wouldn't be as easy as turning up and walking in, and the level of dedication the guards were showing was a good thing, but he could see how hard it was for Beth to sit patiently while she waited to be allowed back into her home.
They sat in silence for what seemed like forever, the tension growing and stretching between them and Mr. Peters like a physical thing. The steady buzz of visitors was surprisingly high considering that the main house was closed to the public.
When they’d finally been allowed in, Chase felt his jaw drop. Visiting the Worthington estate had never appealed to him. He’d considered it recently, wondering if a visit would help with his investigation, but had decided against it, not wanting anyone to connect him to the events that had led to his father’s suicide for the miniscule chance of finding anything on a public tour.
The endless corridors they walked through made the place feel like a museum, the cavernous space as wide and high as a train station. Their footsteps echoed around them as the sound of their passage reverberated on wooden floors polished until they glowed as if from deep within, something Chase suspected was down to centuries of care and attention. He didn't know anything about antiques, or valuables for that matter, but even to his untrained eye the vases and paintings they passed were obviously old. Rounding a corner, he spotted an older woman carefully buffing away fingerprints from a bureau. She looked up from her task, confusion flickering across her face before recognition set in.
“Beth!” she shrieked, dropping the cloth in her hand and making short work of the distance between them as she ran towards Beth, her arms outstretched.
Instinctively he leapt in front of Beth before the woman could reach them, every muscle on full alert to potential danger. He heard a growl, and, when the woman slid to a halt a few inches away from him, was startled to realize the sound had come from him.
Beth curled her fingers around his tense bicep.
“It's okay, Chase,” she said, her voice calm. “This is Edith. She's been with us since before I was born. She's practically part of the family.”
Wi
th a huge effort Chase forced himself to stand down. He needed to get a grip. He couldn't lose it like that every time someone came towards Beth. They'd both go insane before this was over if he carried on. Shaking the tension from his muscles, he stepped aside.
“My apologies, ma'am,” he said, addressing Edith, the adrenaline coursing through him making it difficult to relax completely.
“Don't you dare apologize for protecting our girl,” Edith said, the twinkle in her eye taking any sting out of her words. “You look after our Beth like that, and you and I'll get along just fine. Baby girl,” she said softly, holding out her arms.
Beth almost fell into them, her relief at being with someone familiar almost palpable in the air. As though the contact had strengthened her, Beth didn't cry as Chase might have expected. Hell, he'd have put money on it. She was one of the strongest people he'd ever met, but being home, being able to let your guard down for the first time in days, that's the sort of thing that doesn’t just let the emotional wall fall, it smashes it completely. But she wasn't crying. She was quietly whispering words of reassurance to Edith, who clearly was finding the reunion emotional. Her bony shoulders were shaking as she gulped out her tears. A few minutes passed, and Edith pulled away from Beth's embrace.
“Look at me, making a fool of myself. As if I'm the one who's been missing,” Edith said, her tone making it clear she wasn't going to tolerate any more sympathy. “Right, my girl. Let's go and get you settled back in.”
Chapter Twenty
Walking along, Beth self-consciously touched the ends of her shoulder-length hair while Edith chattered. It wasn't as neat as she'd prefer, but she thought she'd done a good job with it, especially considering she'd done it herself with a pair of kitchen scissors.
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