by Wendy Vella
“How are the other ladies, Heather?”
“They are well, Miss Whitlow, although Clara is still quiet, but each day she comes out of herself a bit more.”
“Yes, she suffered terribly at that man’s hands. If only I were a man, I would give him the beating he gave her.”
Beth wanted to be a man so she could thrash someone. Leo shook his head. Surely he was not hearing that right? The proper Miss Whitlow never spoke that way.
“I would like someone to run him over in their carriage,” the other woman said.
“Yes, that would suffice, Heather,” Beth added in that cool voice she used.
He listened as they discussed people he did not know, and his curiosity grew. Leo began to understand that the women Beth mentioned had been mistreated by men, and that she had something to do with coming to their aid.
“There is a young girl who comes in here often, Miss Whitlow. I’m sure she is suffering too. Her face is often bruised and her eyes have the look.”
What look?
“Have you tried to speak with her, Heather?”
“Yes, but she just walks away.”
“But the fact she keeps returning is surely an indication that she wants help,” Beth said.
Leo looked around him, and saw the shelves filled with trimmings, bonnets, gloves, and handkerchiefs. What connection did Beth have with this shop?
He was too late to move when he heard footsteps, so instead he walked to one side and inspected a shelf filled with delicate handkerchiefs.
“May I help you, sir?”
He turned and it was to Beth his eyes went. The color left her cheeks and her mouth fell open.
“What are you doing here?”
Chapter Seven
Beth looked at the large nobleman standing beside the lace-edged handkerchiefs that her girls had spent hours trimming.
“I followed you.”
He could have lied, said he was passing, or purchasing a gift, anything; instead he told the truth and it shocked her.
“What? Why?”
He slapped his hat softly against one thigh, as if he had nothing of importance to occupy his time, and standing in a shop filled with women’s accessories was an everyday occurrence.
“I have no idea, it seemed like a good idea at the time, then as your carriage rolled on, my curiosity was tweaked.”
He gave her a smile that flashed his teeth and made his black eyes twinkle, which was surely not possible. Odious man, Beth thought, wondering how she was to get rid of him before he realized where he stood, and what this shop and the house behind it actually stood for.
“Well un-tweak it,” she spluttered as her anger climbed. “How dare you do such a… such an invasive thing! I insist you leave this establishment at once!”
He kept smiling in the face of her anger, and Beth dug her toes into her boots to stop herself from closing the distance between them and slapping him.
“Yes, you are likely right, but my only defense is that in light of our recent engagement I simply cannot keep my distance from you.”
“Oh, Miss Whitlow,” Heather cried, increasing Beth’s need to harm this man, “that is wonderful news.”
“Ignore him, Heather,” Beth snapped. “The man is unstable.”
“Oh now, my love, that is unfair,” he drawled. “She is peeved as we had a small disagreement last night.”
“I’m going to kill you,” she mouthed.
He smiled. “And now that I am here,” he added, reaching behind him while keeping his eyes on Beth. “I shall take the time to purchase some gifts.” He picked up the first handkerchief he reached and waved it in front of him. It was not lost on either of them that he appeared to be waving a white flag.
He will need more than a handkerchief to save him, Beth thought.
He wore black today, and it was the exact color of his hair and eyes. His shirt was white, and waistcoat silver. Which was ridiculously overstated for such an hour, Beth told herself.
“You can purchase those in London.”
“But I have heard the lace work here is second to none.”
“You’ve heard no such thing,” Beth snapped. “You’re just doing this to annoy me, which is very rag-mannered of you considering I saved you from public humiliation when faced with your lost love.”
“She is not my lost love,” he said, still in that infuriatingly calm voice.
“Yes, she is,” Beth gritted out. “And I insist you leave these premises at once.”
He didn’t, of course.
“Will you introduce me to your friend, Beth?”
“Miss Whitlow,” she said, as he walked to the counter where Heather stood watching the byplay between them avidly. No doubt the rest of the girls would hear in exact detail what had taken place.
“Miss Little,” Heather said, bobbing a curtsey. “And it is an honor of meet Miss Whitlow’s betrothed. We here are greatly in her debt; she is our savior.”
Beth thought about groaning, but it was beneath her.
“How is she your savior?”
“That will do, thank you, Heather. Lord Vereton has no need of the details.”
He flashed his teeth at Heather, and she sighed. It was such an obvious ploy Beth couldn’t help but tsk.
“But I wish to hear all the details about it, my sweet.”
“No, now leave.”
Heather took one look at her patroness and closed her mouth. She then pretended to be busy inspecting the cabinet beside her.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Little,” Leo said, not deterred. “Are you responsible for this beautiful work?” He laid the handkerchief on the countertop.
Heather nodded. “Some of the work is mine, but there are five of us who work on the things you see in the shop.”
“Five.” Leo smiled again, and Heather blushed. “And you all live here?”
“Desist in questioning Miss Little, please, Lord Vereton.”
“I am merely observing polite conversation, Miss Whitlow. You should try it some time.”
She wanted him out of there before his sharp mind started working. No one knew about this place, and Beth liked it that way.
“I will just look around some more, if that is acceptable to you, Miss Little, as I have an aunt’s birthday approaching, and am sure I shall find some suitable gifts here.”
“Who is the handkerchief for then?” Beth said.
“A friend.” He winked at her, and she could do nothing to stop him walking away to inspect the other shelves and cabinets.
She didn’t know what to do. Should she stay and wait for him to go, or leave herself? But she wanted to see how the other girls were faring, and they would be arriving in the shop soon.
“Do you care for tea, Miss Whitlow?” Heather shot a look from her to Leo and back again. She must be intrigued by what she had overheard.
Leo spoke before Beth could. “If it’s not too much of an imposition, I would like a cup. It has been some time since I left home, and without my morning meal.”
Beth closed her eyes and fought for patience. She should never have agreed to becoming his fiancée, then her life would have stayed as it was.
Boring.
Where had that thought come from? Beth was more than happy with her life... wasn’t she?
“I shall have it prepared,” Heather said, disappearing.
“Will you tell me about this place?”
He was beside her once more.
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“I know you have something to do with it, Beth, as Miss Little said you were her savior, and I overheard you mentioning the other girls. I think I understand that some of them have suffered abuse, but now—”
“You did not overhear, you were eavesdropping, and I have no wish to discuss this further.”
“If as I suspect you are helping these women, then you have my admiration, Beth.”
He stood before her now, eyes steady
on her face.
“I insist you call me Miss Whitlow, and I don’t want or need your admiration. I should never have acquiesced to your silly proposal last night. Everything has now turned on its head.”
“I am a friend, not foe. And you are Beth to me, as that is what your cousin has always called you in my company.”
She shook her head. “Please just leave this alone, and go at once.”
He touched her chin, placing a finger beneath it, tilting it upward.
“Perhaps I could help in some way?”
She shook her head but said nothing further as the door opened once more. Beth looked at the young girl entering; her right eye was bruised, body hunched in on itself. Her eyes went to Leo’s back and widened.
“Leo, please move away,” Beth whispered. “Go behind a cabinet or to the corner, and stay there until I come for you.”
He hesitated.
“Please.” She wrapped her fingers around his wrist. “I need you to do this for me.”
He nodded, and thankfully said nothing further. She waited until he had retreated, and she could see only his shoulders and the back of his head as he inspected a shelf. Beth then approached the girl, who still stood in the doorway.
“Good morning, how are you this fine day?”
“G-good morning.”
She was slender and pale. There was beauty in the lines of her face, and Beth realized that she was very young, perhaps no older than sixteen.
“My name is Beth.” She held out a hand and waited. The young girl looked at it, and then Beth, before holding out hers.
“Jessica.”
“That’s a lovely name. Do you live near here, Jessica?”
She nodded. “I am a maid.”
Beth kept the smile on her face, although it was becoming more strained by the second. She knew the look of a woman who was being abused. Had seen it more times than she cared to.
“Would you take tea with me, Jessica?”
“I cannot. I need gloves, and then I must return.”
“Of course. Which gloves are you interested in?”
Heather had arrived at the counter once more when she turned, and their eyes met, and the woman gave a slight nod, confirming to Beth that this was the woman who had been in here before, the one that had them worried.
Chapter Eight
Leo made himself look at the shelves before him as Beth conversed with the young girl who said her name was Jessica. Her voice was gentle as she tried to coax the girl into talking.
“Jessica, are you happy?”
“P-pardon?”
Leo made himself focus on the shelf before him when what he wanted to do was turn and watch, try to understand how he and society could have been fooled for so long about the true nature of Miss Elizabeth Whitlow. She was far from cold and aloof, that much Leo now knew… but very little else.
“Are you happy?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Because I was once unhappy, and you look as I did.”
Who made her unhappy? What the hell was she talking about? Surely no one had hurt her? The thought made him feel ill.
“I have to go.”
“Of course, if that is your wish, but I would say this to you before you do. If as I suspect you are being mistreated in some way, then it will not stop until you take steps to remove yourself from him.”
Leo heard the moan from Jessica. It was like that of a wounded animal, and made his stomach clench.
“I cannot run... he will find me!”
“He will not find you because I will not let him.” Beth spoke calmly, her words even and softly delivered. There was a surety in her tone the girl could not fail to hear.
“I have nowhere to run. I-it is not easy for the likes of me.”
“I understand that, Jessica, I really do. But I can help you if you let me.”
“No you can’t. My money goes to my family, they need it.”
Her words were high-pitched and panicky now. Leo was usually someone who liked action. He did what needed to be done; he never stood back and waited. For the first time in a long while he felt helpless.
“I will find you employment and I will give you money to help you until then.”
“Why?” The word was an anguished whisper.
“Because I want to help you, and because I know what it is to be scared and alone.”
Dear Christ, how does she know that?
“I-I must go.”
“Very well, and I will not stop you. But I want you to take my card, and know that all you have to do is come into this shop and hand it to whoever is behind the counter, and they will help you, Jessica. You will be removed from your life immediately, and put in a safe place.”
Leo did not hear the girl speak again, only the sound of the door shutting behind her. The silence in the shop was thick and laden with so many emotions, he could not begin to name them all.
He walked out from behind the cabinet and approached Beth. Her shoulders were back, eyes focused out the window, watching Jessica walk away.
“Beth.” He touched her, and she jerked away from him. She turned to look at him, and he saw tears of frustration.
“He’ll do it again.”
“Yes, he likely will, but you have done everything you can for her until she is ready to seek help.”
“It is not enough... it’s never enough.”
The hand she lifted to her lips shook. He watched as she pressed it there to stop any noise escaping. Leo wanted to touch her, but realized at that moment, it would not be welcomed.
“I have tea, Miss Whitlow.”
Beth drew in several deep breaths before turning away from Leo.
“Thank you, Heather.”
They drank tea standing at the counter, which while odd, helped put color back in Beth’s cheeks. Thankfully no one else entered.
“I shall leave now, Heather. Please send word should you have need of me. I will return shortly, and see the other girls then.”
“Of course, and good day to you, Miss Whitlow.”
Leo bowed, and followed Beth outside. He took her arm, placing it on his as they made their way down the street to where her carriage now waited close to his horse.
He had so many questions and yet did not know how to ask them.
“I own that shop, and the house behind.”
Her words surprised him, as Leo had been sure she would tell him nothing.
“How long have you owned it?”
“Three years.”
“Are all the women who enter seeking refuge?”
“They are.”
“Who made you unhappy, scared, and alone?”
Her fingers twitched on his arm, but she kept them there.
“Pardon?”
“You heard my words, Beth.”
“No one made me unhappy, scared or alone. I simply wanted to empathize with Jessica.”
Leo knew that for a lie, but now was not the time to pursue the matter further. He needed her trust before he did that, and that was not earned overnight. That her cousin knew nothing of this other life she lived was obvious.
“No one knows about this, Leo.”
“Then it shall be my secret, but I will add to that, your cousin is a good man, and would understand and be proud of what you are doing, Beth. I would like you to think seriously about telling him.”
“I have thought about telling him lately, since Grace entered his life, as he is changed.”
“Yes, and you should.” Leo thought about the secret Nick had not told Beth, and knew it would surprise her, just as hers would surprise him.
“I will think about it.”
“Beth, if you ever need anything, I hope you know that I will be there for you.”
“I have my cousin, Leo, and we are nothing to each other, so I thank you for your words, but they are not necessary.”
Her tone was light, and Leo knew she was attempting to reestablish the relationship they’d had, but it was too l
ate for that now. In the space of a day, everything between them had changed. For one, he now knew that this woman had a great capacity for caring and giving, something he had never believed her capable of before.
“Are we to ignore what happened in that shop, Beth?”
“Nothing happened in there but what we have discussed. I wish to speak on the matter no further.”
Frustration and anger rose inside him but he tamped them down. No good would come of displaying either, but Leo was a man who liked answers, and yet he could do nothing to get them at the moment—but he would. Someone had hurt Beth, he knew it, just not who or when. One day, he thought, one day she would trust him.
Chapter Nine
Leo released Beth as he drew near his horse. A man had grabbed the young boy and was shaking him, deliberately intimidating him. Nudging Beth behind him, he stepped closer.
“Release him.”
The man shot Leo a look, but didn’t do as he had asked.
“He’s my boy, and I’ve a right to discipline him!”
“What has he done?” Leo wrapped his fingers around the man’s wrist and squeezed hard, which forced him to release the boy. He then pushed the lad behind him with Beth.
The man looked cagey suddenly.
“I’m trying to feed our family, and he does nothing to contribute. I want my share.”
“Of what exactly?” There was little doubt that to a young boy this man with his ready fists and angry face would be frightening, but not to Leo. He hated bullies. He’d loathed them at school, and had not changed his opinion in the following years.
“You gave him money, and I’m ensuring he gives it to me, for the family.”
“I did, because he is doing something for me. You, however, are not. In fact, what you are doing is making me angry, and that is not wise, sir.”
The man gave Leo a belligerent look.
“How many in your family?”
“Five, and I feed them meself. Me wife is dead.”
“There is only my father and me,” the boy said from behind him.
“He lies!” The man tried to get at the boy again. Leo stopped him by stepping into his path.
