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 late 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.
