“Just the one,” she scoffed. Beth looked around, wondering, hoping, she would not see him... that beast.
“You are a heartless woman, Miss Whitlow, to hound me so.”
Beth snorted. “Me, hound you? I think you have that the wrong way round, Lord Vereton.”
“Do you know what I think?”
“I do not care.”
“It’s my belief that you are in some kind of trouble, Beth. Blackmail or—”
She stumbled, and would have fallen had he not grabbed her and resettled her back to her feet.
“Blackmail it is then.”
“I tripped!” she shrieked with far more force than necessary. Panic was coursing through her body now.Stay calm, Beth, he knows nothing, and cannot make you talk.
“No, you tripped because my words unsettled you.”
Beth made herself stop and look up at him. The sun bounced off his black hair, as he had yet to replace his hat, which he carried under one arm. His face was calm and assured, eyes now steady. Had she not seen the panic in them the night he saw Harriet Hyndmarsh, she wouldn’t have believed him capable of such an emotion. To be so assured must be a wonderful thing. Beth tried to appear so, when inside sometimes she was the opposite.
Now was one of those times.
“Go away, Leo. My life is no concern of yours. If I need help, I have a strong, capable cousin to assist me.”
His eyes caught and held hers again, and Beth could do nothing to break the contact. She was becoming far too aware of this man. It had to stop, she must put distance between them, as contact with her could put him in danger.
“Yes, there is no doubting that, but he doesn’t think anything is wrong, so obviously he is not helping you.”
“Tell me you did not question him about your ridiculous and misguided beliefs?”
“I did not, but only because I wish for you to explain them to me first.”
“I have no idea what it is you are speaking of, nor do I wish to discuss it further.”
She didn’t trip this time, and even managed to walk as if she had not a care in the world.
“You just made a noise like someone moaning in pain.”
“I did not.” She really must stop doing that.
Beth made the mistake of looking over her shoulder at the church.
“God, I’m a fool,” he said slowly. “You were there to drop something off, and I did not realize it until now.”
Before she could stop him, Leo had turned and was running back to the church.
“Stop!” She tried to call him back, but he kept running, and Beth could do nothing but follow. She reached the church well behind Leo, and threw open the door. He was walking down the pews, running his hands under each.
“What are you doing, you foolish man?”
Ignoring her, he moved closer to where she had put the money.
“Leo, please!” Beth held her breath as he reached the pew she’d placed the money under. Her relief was acute when he moved on to the next. Exhaling slowly, she realized the blackmailer had been already. While she was pleased about that, she was not pleased that he had to have seen her with Leo, or that he could have confronted her had she still been alone.
“This is ridiculous. Good day, my lord, I am leaving.” Beth walked out the door, relieved her secret was still safe. She made it down the steps and was soon walking along the street with her heart settling back inside her chest.Was he near?
“Miss Whitlow! La, what brings you here alone at this hour?”
