“Firstly, I must tell you all that Miss Whitlow is upstairs in one of the interview rooms.”
“Beth here... why?” Nick started to rise, but Leo waved him back into the chair.
“Hear me out, and then I shall bring her down if you are all happy that she know your identities.”
They nodded.
“Since the night I announced our betrothal I have come to realize that something is very wrong with Beth. Last night she told me what it is.”
“Dear Christ, what?” Nick’s voice was hoarse.
“She is being blackmailed, but there is a great deal more to it than that.”
“She told you, but not me!” Nick looked shattered.
“I guessed,” Leo said. “I came upon her a few times, and her actions alerted me to the fact that something was gravely wrong.”
“Why did you not tell me of your suspicions?”
“I did not know if they had any substance, Nick,” Leo said calmly. “Now I do. Plus I had no right to tell you anything until Beth gave me permission to do so.”
Nick cursed loudly. “My cousin is in trouble and did not tell me. Why?”
“That is for her to explain,” Leo said.
“But why she told you before me is something I wish to know. Especially considering that to my knowledge the two of you do not like each other very much. I have admitted I think a union between you would benefit you both, but I did not hold out great hope it would actually happen. What has changed, Leo, that she would confide in you but not me?”
He’d known this question was coming.
“I care about her,” Leo said.
“You love her, Noble,” Jacob said. “I can see it in you.”
“How can you possibly see something like that?” Leo scoffed. “Marriage is making you soft.”
“Ah, the man protests,” Marcus said, smiling. “A sure sign he has lost his heart.”
Leo tried to glare around the table, but he ended up sighing.
“Have things changed between you and my cousin, Leo?” Nick asked.
He nodded. “They have, and we will be married.”
“I could not have picked a better man for Beth. But for now I wish to clear up the matter of this danger she is in.”
“Are you all happy for her to know your identities?” He looked around the table at his friends. Each nodded, and he released the breath he’d been holding.
Leo rose and left the room. Beth was pacing when he entered; she hurried to meet him.
“Are the others here, Leo?”
“They are, and if you are ready, my colleagues would like to meet you.”
“They are happy for me to know their identities?”
Leo moved closer and took her hands in his.
“They are, and Beth, I need you to know now that Nick is one of them.”
