Leo scoffed. “You do me an injustice, my dear. Hoffman’s sister is notoriously free with her favors. The child could be anybody’s.”
Annie arched a brow. “Are you saying, then, that the childmightbe yours?”
He groaned. “No, that is not what I am saying at all. Think, Annie! We have known each other all of our lives. Our fathers, yours, and mine, wanted us to be together, and I see no reason why that still cannot be. This world, this city, is unsafe and, as a young woman alone, you are particularly vulnerable, at the mercy of those whomight exploit you. You need a husband, a protector, someone to look after your interests. That someone has always been me, and you need me now more than ever. You must see that.”
“And you must see how your assurances ring hollow,” Annie cried, throwing her arms wide. “You abandoned me at one of the most frightening times in my life, a fact that makes a mockery of everything you have just declared.”
He grimaced and inclined his head. “Yes, to my shame, I did. But I swear I shall spend the rest of my life making amends for it, if you’ll let me. Please consider it.”
Annie fell silent as she pondered. Facing the future alone was certainly daunting, but the idea of submitting to Leo’s pleas, to resume any kind of relationship with him, stirred nothing within her. His declarations of regret and shame had not quite reached her heart, nor had his expression of love. As she hesitated over her response, Karl Hoffman’s words once again drifted into her mind.
A man without honor who will undoubtedly take all he can from you and then cast you aside…
Annie then turned her thoughts to that morning and the stroll she’d taken, retracing the path of a man she would likely never see again. A man who, in a mere fragment of time, had made her feel something she’d never felt before. Not love, of course, but maybe an introduction to it.
During her walk with Hattie that morning, she’d given full rein to fancy and dared to imagine Julian Northcott to be at her side once more, sharing stories of family and life beyond the city. A foolish daydream, but she’d found comfort in it.
“We can start again, Annie.” Leo’s voice intruded into her reverie. “You will not regret it. You have my word.”
Annie frowned. There was no way of knowing what life might yet bring, what challenges awaited. But, in that moment, she knew which direction to take.
Forward.
Not back.
“My answer is no, Leo.” She went to the door and opened it wider. “What we shared in the past is over. There really is nothing else to discuss. I would like you to leave now and never return. As I said earlier, you are no longer welcome in this house.”
Leo’s expression darkened visibly. “You are allowing your grief to guide you,” he said, nostrils flaring. “You are not of sound mind.”
“At least my grief is sincere.” Annie gripped the door handle to stop her hand from shaking. “And my mind, sound or otherwise, is made up. Please leave.”
Hattie moved to stand beside her. “You heard my lady,” she said, glaring at Leo.
“Hush,” Annie muttered.
Leo parted with another humorless laugh. “As you wish, then,” he said, “but I fear you’ll live to regret your decision. The day will come, and no doubt soon, when you’ll seek me out to beg for my help and protection. You know nothing of the world, Annie. Nothing. You cannot possibly survive on your own.” Lip furling, he gestured toward Hattie. “You cannot even control your staff.”
Jaw set like steel, he went to move past them, but paused beside Annie and gazed down at her, his expression softening. For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of remorse in his eyes. Then he raised his hand and touched his knuckles to her cheek. Hattie, standing beside her, sucked in a quick breath. Annie merely turned her cheek away and remained silent.
Leo’s hand dropped and another soulless smile appeared. “Take heed, my little Annabelle,” he murmured, his sour breath warm against her face. “You will live to regret this.”
Moments later, the slamming of the front door rattled through the house.
Annie leaned against the wall, heaved a lungful of air, and pressed a hand to her stomach again. “Dear Lord,” she said, exhaling. “Now, Idefinitely need some tea.”
Hattie moved into the hallway and stared at the front door. “You also need to make an appointment with Archibald Mason. And sooner rather than later.”
“Papa’s solicitor?” Annie straightened and followed Hattie’s gaze. “Why?”
“Because we have not seen the last of Leopold De Witte. He’ll be back, mark my words.”
“That may be so, but I am not obliged to let him in.” Annie shrugged. “I shall make sure Bridget understands she is not to answer the door if, and whenever, I am absent.”
“I fear it won’t be enough.” Hattie regarded her. “The man is not used to taking ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Well, since I’m not about to change my mind, he has no choice.” Annie frowned. “And none of this explains why you think I need to make an appointment with Archibald Mason.”
“Because you’ll need him to take care of the legal requirements and whatever else has to be done when you put this house up for rent.”
