CHAPTERTWELVE
Bethwas not a person who lived on her nerves, in fact she loathed women who constantly bemoaned the state of their health, but right at that moment she could sympathize. She did not need the large nobleman at her side asking questions when she could not give him answers, and the act of pretending all was right in her world was fatiguing.
Four days had passed, and in that time she had watched and waited, and yet no other note had arrived. Was she to be blackmailed, or simply tormented? Was he back in London, and if so should she be very afraid? Was he a threat just to her, or what of Nick and Grace?
She had gone over and over the entire situation countless times, but could not come up with a satisfactory resolution.
“Is that frown simply because I am keeping you company?”
“You think too much of yourself.” Beth dismissed Lord Vereton’s words.
“Very possibly, but I like to have a woman’s attention when she walks with me, and yours is far from here, is my guess.”
“Ah, but I did not request your company, Lord Vereton, therefore you will have to put up with what you see.”
“A quick-witted woman is both a delight and trial, it has to be noted,” he drawled.
“But then surely you have been outwitted many times, my lord?” Beth thought if she sparred verbally with him, as she always had, he would not continue to ask her what was wrong. Because he may tell Nick, and that would be disastrous.
“You really are an onerous woman, Miss Whitlow. To jab at me constantly with your extremely sharp verbal lance, and I... a mere defenseless male who wishes only to bask in your beauty.”
Beth’s snort turned into a yawn before she could stop it.
“I feared for a moment there you would displace your jaw. Do you wish to ride the horse too? I could help you up there, and you can rest a while.”
“Very amusing.”
“So you help those vulnerable young women, and today you are out walking your butler’s children to the bakery. There seems to be another side to you, Miss Whitlow, that I was not aware of. Will I find you in a tenement tomorrow?”
“Not all of us wish to be indolent noblemen, Lord Vereton. Some are very aware of those who go without—”
“And you believe I am one of them... an indolent nobleman?”
The words had been spoken calmly, but Beth heard the anger beneath each.
“I don’t know you, how can I form any opinion of your character, other than what I have seen?” Although she had seen him rescue that boy, so perhaps, like her, there was a great deal more to Lord Vereton than she first thought.
“Just as I believed you an annoying, snooty woman who had little but an acid tongue to recommend her.”
Beth found herself laughing, which was surprising as minutes before she’d had little to laugh about.
“Touché.”
“You did not attend the Bledisloe soiree last night, Beth. Is your chill better, as I believe Nick told me that was the excuse you gave.”
“It was not an excuse, and I did have a chill, but now am better,” she lied. Truth be told, she was not ready to face him or society.
They walked a few more steps, and Beth saw the bakery, much to her relief.
“Do not take up lying as an occupation, you will not earn a penny.”
She felt his eyes on her, but as they now stood at the bakery door, he soon looked away.
The scents were enticing as she and Leo walked inside, the air redolent with sweet spices, and the baking of bread.
“Good morning to you.”
“Good morning, Mr. Renn. I shall have four currant buns, and two gingerbread men, please.”
