CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Bethwas ready when he called at her town house the following morning. Leo walked through the front door to find her standing there dressed in a simple pale blue dress with a chipped bonnet and matching blue ribbons. She looked luscious enough to make his teeth clench.
“Good morning, my sweet.” Leo walked up to her, not stopping until he was inches away.
“Good morning,” she said, standing her ground, which pleased him.
He lowered his head and kissed her gently. Her response surprised him. She placed a palm on his chest and leaned in.
When he thought they’d given the staff, who were surely watching, enough to keep them gossiping all morning, he eased back, running his knuckles down a soft cheek.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a gentle smile. He’d never seen that one before, hers were usually social smiles, but this one was genuine, and for him alone.
“Come.” Stepping back, he held out a hand. She took it willingly. Seating her in the carriage minutes later, he tapped the roof, and they were soon moving.
“I wish to discuss the matter of our marriage, Leo. I have given it some thought and am not sure it is the best course for us, therefore, I want you to know that if you change your mind then I will understand.”
He let the silence settle between them while he kept his eyes steady on her face.
“This is the last discussion we have on this matter, Beth. I want you to be my wife, and I hope you want me as your husband.”
She was nervous, and no doubt scared. For so long she had lived with her secret, and now he knew it. They’d made love, decided to marry, and there was also a blackmailer to contend with. Leo marveled at her resilience; most would have taken to bed under the weight of just one of those things.
“Very well, but we will discuss this further later.”
“No we won’t.”
She huffed out a breath, then surprised him by holding out a hand to him. He took it, slipping her fingers inside his.
“I’m nervous about this, Leo.”
“As you have every right to be. But I am here, Beth, and will let nothing and no one hurt you again.
“You can’t make promises like that.”
She was looking out the window.
“I can, love, because you are important to me, and going to be my wife.”
Her eyes widened at his endearment. “Do you really wish that, Leo?”
“I wish it, Beth.”
She looked at him then, and whatever she saw in his eyes made her nod.
The rest of the journey was conducted in silence. He escorted her inside the Night Street building and into one of the interview rooms when they arrived.
“I will return shortly. Try not to worry.” Leo brushed a kiss over her lips, and wondered if there would ever come a time when he tired of doing that. Closing the door, he told Perkins to take her tea, before making his way downstairs.
When the others arrived, he was ready with what needed to be said.
“Just because you have no woman in your bed is no reason to drag us from ours, Noble.”
“Sit, we have things to discuss.”
The tone of his voice had them doing as he asked. All levity was soon gone, replaced by seriousness.
