by Wendy Vella
“Good evening, my lord.”
“Miss Whitlow.” He bowed, and then took her hand and placed it on his arm. They did not talk much, but stayed surrounded by their friends.
Poppy was married to Jacob, and a woman who knew her own mind, just as Charlotte, Marcus’s wife, did. Leo respected and liked all his friends’ wives, and for the first time realized what his friends had been talking about when they’d expressed fears or worries about their spouses. He finally understood what it was to have another person in your life you would do anything for. Someone who held your future happiness in their hands. It was a terrifying yet exhilarating thought.
I am no longer alone. The thought flashed through his mind.
“What has you smiling?”
“You,” he said, lifting Beth’s hands and kissing her fingers.
She didn’t speak, simply moved closer to him as they talked to their friends. They appeared to be simply enjoying each other’s company, but what they were doing was biding their time until midnight.
“May I have this dance, Miss Whitlow?”
“No thank you, Lord Chalmers.”
Leo swallowed his smile as the man walked away.
She refused every man who asked her to dance, until Leo asked her to waltz with him. He felt ten feet tall leading her out onto the floor.
“When I saw you walk in the room, I lost the ability to think straight,” he whispered in her ear. He was holding her too close, but neither of them cared.
“I hope that feeling passes, as I felt it too. I do not want to go through the rest of my life being temporarily witless when I see you. It is most off-putting, especially for someone who has strived never to be witless in her life before.”
Leo let out a loud bark of laughter. Around them people stared, as he rarely expressed loud displays of emotion when in polite society.
“I love you,” he whispered. Her answer was to place the palm of her hand on his chest and hold it there for the remainder of the dance.
When they returned to the others, he noted only the wives were left, which told him his friends had taken up their positions.
“It is time, Beth.”
He saw her smile falter, but then she drew her shoulders back and nodded.
“All will go well,” he said softly. “I love you,” he added, before walking away.
Poppy, Charlotte, and Grace were to walk her out to the terrace, but only Beth would walk down to the gardens. She had refused to allow the other women to accompany her, as she did not want them put in any danger. They’d argued of course, as was their way. But in this she’d stood firm, and their husbands had agreed.
“Be safe, dear Beth,” Poppy said, touching her hand briefly.
“Don’t do anything rash,” Charlotte said, doing the same.
Grace sniffed and tried not to cry. They could not hug, or draw attention to themselves, so she simply nodded, and then walked away from them.
“I will return soon, and then we have a wedding to plan.”
“Y-yes,” Grace managed to get out. “I will hold you to that.”
Beth walked down the steps away from her new friends, onto the path that was lit with torches. People milled about, chatting and drinking. She knew that Marcus was now behind her, as he was to follow her to the maze, and enter behind her. Leo was already in there, as was Nick. Jacob was somewhere along the path watching… waiting.
Nerves had her wanting to rub her hands together, but she made herself stay calm, and appear as if she was merely enjoying the evening.
She’d walked through the maze in daylight, and had managed to navigate it successfully, but knew that nighttime would be another matter entirely. Taking a deep breath, she entered, exhaling slowly as the walls closed in around her.
It was quieter in there. She knew people were close by, but she saw and heard no one at that moment, which was unsettling.
Just keep walking, the note had said, so she did. Turning corners and walking, to turn another corner. She almost believed he was not coming. Felt relief that she would not have to deal with him or this tonight. But then it would not be over; he would still be out there stalking her.
She saw a group up ahead. They blocked the path; turning, she noted no one behind her, but knew the Lords of Night Street were close.
She tried to skirt around them, but someone grabbed her, and she was thrust into the walls of the maze.
“Hello, Elizabeth.”
Two words, and suddenly she was fifteen again, swamped by the feel of this man pressing her into the mattress, his breath on her as he lifted her skirts and ruthlessly took her innocence.
Fear robbed her thoughts as panic clawed at her throat and held her still. In seconds she was gagged, her hands tied, and a cloak wrapped around her body. Her mask was replaced with another, and the hood drawn over her head.
“I have decided to take you for ransom. Your cousin and fiancé will pay handsomely. Now walk, I have a pistol in your back. Do anything to draw attention to yourself, and I shoot the first person I see.”
She did as he asked.
You are stronger now, Leo will find you, Beth told herself as she tried to force the fear from her head and replace it with something else. He can’t hurt you again, Leo will not let him do that.
She stumbled, and he jabbed the gun into her spine. Beside her two women walked, chatting to her, arms around her waist as if they were friends. This was how they had caught her, he’d used others to hide his actions. They had not thought of that, Beth realized. How would Leo find her now?
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Leo’s heart pounded as he ran through the maze. Beth had disappeared.
“Where the hell is she?”
“I saw her near that group, then she vanished,” Nick said.
Marcus came from the other direction, shaking his head. “There are people everywhere, but I cannot see Beth.
“She has to be here!” Leo had known fear, but nothing like this. His heart was thumping, his head was crowded with thoughts, and he couldn’t form a rational one. Beth was in danger and he couldn’t find her.
“We have to find her!”
He started running with his friends on his heels, sprinted through the maze to the other side. They did not encounter Beth on the way.
“I don’t know what to do,” Leo rasped. “Dear Christ, help me find her.”
“Split up, question everyone!” Nick roared.
He ran until his sides heaved. People looked at him like he was crazed, but he cared nothing for that. He’d promised to keep her safe, but he’d failed and now she was in danger, he knew it.
“Excuse me, Lord Vereton, but Lord Hatherton wishes your company at the entrance to the Japanese Gardens.”
Leo didn’t stop to acknowledge the footman, he just ran.
“Where is she?”
“I found this,” Jacob said, handing over a slipper. Beth’s white slipper. “It was on the path leading here.”
“Stay here and wait for the others,” Leo said, taking it and forcing it into his pocket. Entering the gardens, he knew his friends would be on his heels in minutes. There were not as many torches here, but enough light to see the faces of those he passed. None of them were Beth.
He walked across the bridge to give himself a better vantage point, and looked around him. Leo saw another path, and it was there he saw her. It had to be her, because she was struggling to get free.
He put his fingers in his mouth, and a whistle rent the air as he ran. Dodging trees, he took the most direct route. As he ran down the path, the thud of his feet had the three people, who held Beth, turning. The man raised a pistol, and pointed it at Leo.
“Stop, or I shoot!”
Beth fought to get free, trying to get away from the women who still held her.
“No, Beth.” Leo lifted a hand, but kept his eyes on Lloyd. “Be still.” She did as he asked, but he did not hold out much hope she would stay that way for long.
“You better make that shot count,
Lloyd, as three of my friends are even now surrounding you with guns. They will not hesitate to put a bullet into you.”
“You lie!”
“That’s for you to decide, but I want you to know that you will not walk out of here alive tonight. For what you did to an innocent, sweet girl, you will pay with your life.”
Beth struggled for release, but the women held her captive.
“Sh-she wanted me.”
Leo kept calm, but it wasn’t easy, as the red haze of rage wanted to consume him.
“I’m killing you for every minute of pain and suffering you caused her, Lloyd, and for the murder of her father.
The hand holding the gun lifted. Leo braced, then watched in horror as Beth wrenched free of the women, and ran at Lloyd.
“No!” She ignored Leo’s roar, and hit Lloyd from the side. They both went down.
Leo ran, reaching for Beth, lifting her to her feet. He pushed her to one side, and grabbed Lloyd’s hand that held the gun, smashing it into the ground. Lloyd dropped it with an anguished cry, and Leo kicked it away.
“You are the lowest form of man,” he snarled, gripping the collar of his shirt. Planting his fist in the man’s face, he felt the crack of his nose.
“Leo, stop!”
He didn’t, wanting vengeance. He wanted this man to know the fear and pain he had inflicted on Beth.
“Stop now, Leo!”
Hands pulled at him, dragging him off Lloyd. He was then put behind a wall of men.
“No more, you are not killing him here,” Nick said. “See to Beth.”
Shaking his head did little to clear the lust for Lloyd’s blood, but looking left did. Beth stood there, tears streaking down her face.
“Beth.” He held out his arms, and she ran into them. “Thank God.” He pressed her head to his chest briefly. Her hands gripped his jacket, body shaking. “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head but said nothing, and Leo simply held her until they both found a measure of calm.
“Are you all right, cousin?”
She eased out of his arms when Nick spoke, let him hold her briefly too.
“I am now, thanks to you all.”
She walked to where Lloyd lay curled in a moaning ball in pain. Leo joined her, taking her hand in his.
“He can’t hurt you now, love. It’s done.”
“He looks so pathetic.”
“He will never hurt anyone again, I promise you that.”
He watched as she drew back her foot and kicked the prone man, hard. Turning, she walked away, towing Leo behind her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
They did not return to the ball; instead Leo had simply walked Beth to his carriage, and taken her home, holding her the entire journey in his lap.
Lloyd and his accomplices were dealt with by his friends. Leo would have something to say on how the man paid for what he had done to Beth, later.
It had been with great reluctance that he’d said goodbye to her at the door to her townhouse. He’d wanted to keep Beth in his arms, hold her the entire night, to assure himself she was not suffering any effects of what she had just endured. However, he could not—her aunt had sent him away.
Leo returned to his house and ordered a bath. When the water had cooled, he climbed out, dressed for bed, and sipped brandy while he sat and thought about the night’s events. When his glass was empty, he climbed into bed and closed his eyes and tried to sleep… he failed badly. His head was full of her. He wanted Beth, needed her. Looking into the darkness, he fought the urge to go to her.
“It’s the middle of the night, you fool,” he reminded himself as he turned yet again and thumped his pillow… hard.
Another hour passed with visions of Beth weeping and stricken in her bed. Of course, the rational part of his mind knew she was rarely, if ever, stricken, but still, here in the dark he believed she was just that, and right now she needed him. He allowed another hour to pass before he gave up.
Rising, he pulled on his clothes and let himself out the door. The gray light of dawn was slowly filtering over London as he started walking in the direction of Beth’s house. He was unsure what the hell he was to do when he reached it, but knew that he must see her, and soon.
It was not far, and at this time, would not take him long.
Walking through the front gates, he made his way quietly around the side of the house, and knocked on the servants’ door. A sleepy-looking young girl opened it.
“Good morning to you, and thank you,” Leo said, as if he entered through this door daily. He walked through the kitchens, past bleary-eyed staff, and took the stairs up. Once there he encountered a footman, who tried not to appear shocked, but failed.
“Which rooms are Miss Whitlow’s?”
“Second floor, second door on the left, sir.”
Leo thanked him and took the stairs two at a time now. Reaching the second floor, he found her door and opened it quietly. Closing it behind him, he turned the key in the lock.
The room was dark, with only a sliver of light to tell him where he was walking. Reaching the bed, he looked down, and found her asleep on her front, arms beside her head, right in the center of the mattress. Relief had him smiling. The first piece of clothing he removed was his necktie.
“Beth.”
She could hear Leo’s voice in her dreams. Felt the yearning to have him near.
“Wake up, love.”
She felt a brush of lips on her cheek, and then a hand in her hair, pushing it aside. Opening her eyes, she found Leo’s face inches from hers.
“Leo?”
“Yes.”
Blinking, she turned on her side to face him. She was still in her bed, where she had been since she found it a few hours ago. “H-how are you here?”
“I missed you,” he said, lifting her up and lowering her down on top of him. “And my head was filled with visions of you distraught and weeping after what happened last night.”
“But how is it you are in my bed?”
“I could not sleep so I walked here, let myself in the servants’ entrance—actually a sleepy maid did that—and then had a footman tell me which room was yours.”
“A footman?” Beth blinked. “Surely you did not ask a footman directions to my rooms?” She felt his hand slide up her leg, and then the flat of his palm in the small of her back.
“I did actually. Seeing as we are to be married, I thought it was important your staff become familiar with me.” His smile was wicked as he stroked her skin.
“Leo, you have no clothes on.” Beth had meant to sound outraged, and yet her words came out more a purr.
“I could hardly get into your bed fully dressed, my love.”
He was so warm, and she felt it again, that wonderful stirring of passion only he could create inside her.
“My servants will be horrified.”
“They’ll survive, however, I won’t without you. I locked the door, by the way.”
“I dreamed of you,” she whispered against his lips. “Dreamed of you and me together.”
“I dreamed of you also, and woke hard and wanting you.”
“Leo!” Beth struggled to swallow her smile. “You just told me you did not sleep.”
His hand unbuttoned her nightdress, and she wriggled to help him remove it.
“A few snatched minutes only,” he said, running his eyes over her body. “In which I dreamed of you naked and in my arms, and now you are.”
Beth could do nothing but sigh as he cupped a breast.
“I love you, my sweet Miss Whitlow. Love everything that you are, and everything you will be. I want us to raise children, and grow old and wrinkled together. Marry me, my love.”
“Yes,” she whispered, and realized that no more words were needed between them right now, only actions.
THE END
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SENSING DANGER-available now
Was it brave or stupid to contemplate saving the man? Was he a good person or bad? Did it make a difference; surely no one deserved to die in such a horrific way? Taking the knife she had strapped to her calf, she clamped it between her teeth.
If there is trouble to be found it is you who will find it, Eden.
With her eldest brother’s words ringing in her head, Eden crouched on the rocks and then quietly crept forward. Taking the knife from her mouth, she drew in three deep, slow breaths before once again biting down on the blade. She then lowered herself over the edge and into the icy depths below. The cold squeezed her lungs and she struggled to breathe through her nose. Pushing off as the water sucked away from the rocks, Eden kicked hard to get as much distance as she could between herself and the jagged surface before the next wave came.
The going was tough and within minutes she was breathless, the cold sapping her strength.
How far would they throw him? What if she was too late and he died before she reached him, or what if she never reached him and died trying?
Her family often accused her of being overly dramatic, yet for once she had reason to be.
Fighting the currents, she swam until the cold numbed her limbs, and they grew too heavy to carry on. Drawing a shuddering breath Eden trod water and tried to battle the panic that clawed at her as she thought about her family.
I will see them again, she vowed silently.
Focusing on the cliffs, she listened to what the men above were saying.
“On three.”
“What about four?”
“Why would it be four when it’s always three?”
“Who made it three?”
“It’s on bloody three and if you say one more word I’m tossing you in after him!”
At least the idiots had chosen not to murder the man first. She would take that small blessing as a good omen. She watched their silhouettes as they swung the unconscious man back and forward.
