She refused every man who asked her to dance, until Leo asked her to waltz with him. He felt ten feet tall leading her out onto the floor.
“When I saw you walk in the room, I lost the ability to think straight,” he whispered in her ear. He was holding her too close, but neither of them cared.
“I hope that feeling passes, as I felt it too. I do not want to go through the rest of my life being temporarily witless when I see you. It is most off-putting, especially for someone who has strived never to be witless in her life before.”
Leo let out a loud bark of laughter. Around them people stared, as he rarely expressed loud displays of emotion when in polite society.
“I love you,” he whispered. Her answer was to place the palm of her hand on his chest and hold it there for the remainder of the dance.
When they returned to the others, he noted only the wives were left, which told him his friends had taken up their positions.
“It is time, Beth.”
He saw her smile falter, but then she drew her shoulders back and nodded.
“All will go well,” he said softly. “I love you,” he added, before walking away.
Poppy, Charlotte, and Grace were to walk her out to the terrace, but only Beth would walk down to the gardens. She had refused to allow the other women to accompany her, as she did not want them put in any danger. They’d argued of course, as was their way. But in this she’d stood firm, and their husbands had agreed.
“Be safe, dear Beth,” Poppy said, touching her hand briefly.
“Don’t do anything rash,” Charlotte said, doing the same.
Grace sniffed and tried not to cry. They could not hug, or draw attention to themselves, so she simply nodded, and then walked away from them.
“I will return soon, and then we have a wedding to plan.”
“Y-yes,” Grace managed to get out. “I will hold you to that.”
Beth walked down the steps away from her new friends, onto the path that was lit with torches. People milled about, chatting and drinking. She knew that Marcus was now behind her, as he was to follow her to the maze, and enter behind her. Leo was already in there, as was Nick. Jacob was somewhere along the path watching... waiting.
Nerves had her wanting to rub her hands together, but she made herself stay calm, and appear as if she was merely enjoying the evening.
She’d walked through the maze in daylight, and had managed to navigate it successfully, but knew that nighttime would be another matter entirely. Taking a deep breath, she entered, exhaling slowly as the walls closed in around her.
It was quieter in there. She knew people were close by, but she saw and heard no one at that moment, which was unsettling.
Just keep walking, the note had said, so she did. Turning corners and walking, to turn another corner. She almost believed he was not coming. Felt relief that she would not have to deal with him or this tonight. But then it would not be over; he would still be out there stalking her.
She saw a group up ahead. They blocked the path; turning, she noted no one behind her, but knew the Lords of Night Street were close.
She tried to skirt around them, but someone grabbed her, and she was thrust into the walls of the maze.
“Hello, Elizabeth.”
Two words, and suddenly she was fifteen again, swamped by the feel of this man pressing her into the mattress, his breath on her as he lifted her skirts and ruthlessly took her innocence.
Fear robbed her thoughts as panic clawed at her throat and held her still. In seconds she was gagged, her hands tied, and a cloak wrapped around her body. Her mask was replaced with another, and the hood drawn over her head.
“I have decided to take you for ransom. Your cousin and fiancé will pay handsomely. Now walk, I have a pistol in your back. Do anything to draw attention to yourself, and I shoot the first person I see.”
She did as he asked.
You are stronger now,Leo will find you, Beth told herself as she tried to force the fear from her head and replace it with something else.He can’t hurt you again,Leo will not let him do that.
She stumbled, and he jabbed the gun into her spine. Beside her two women walked, chatting to her, arms around her waist as if they were friends. This was how they had caught her, he’d used others to hide his actions. They had not thought of that, Beth realized. How would Leo find her now?
