“I am no longer your concern, Nathan,” she said calmly. Too calmly.
“Clearly someone needs to take you in hand if you are taking such foolish risks.” Only she could make him feel irrational now. Before, he’d frequently been irrational, but no longer—until she walked back into his life and turned it on its head.
“I need no chaperone, as I am to meet Mary, as I have already explained. The day is young. I doubt the cutthroats and thieves are out of bed yet. I am quite safe, I assure you.”
“Don’t mock me,” he growled. “And who was that man you were speaking to at the theatre, Beth?”
“What man?”
“The one you spoke to alone when you left the royal box. The one who sounded like he was threatening you. The one who said your father was sick.”
Shock held her silent.
“Tell me who he was, Beth. Tell me of the trouble you are in. Let me help.”
“I-I asked you to not question me further, Nathan. Please respect my wishes.” She tried to back away, but he followed.
“Is that why you left London?”
All color had leached from her face.
“Lord, attempting to leave the house without a thousand questions is quite exhausting!” Mary Blake entered the shop.
“Mary!” Beth hurried to her friend and away from Nathan. He felt like gnashing his teeth in frustration. He would call at the Carlow townhouse later today, and he would not leave without answers.
“Your Miss Carlow seems nice,” Forrest said, coming to his side with Ella.
“I have no idea what she is anymore.” Nathan watched Beth slip her arm through her friend’s, thereby anchoring Mary to her side. “I thought I did. Now I don’t.”
“But I have no wish to leave without purchasing several bags of sugar-laden treats,” Mary protested as Beth dragged her to the door.
“I’m thinking of your teeth. If they fall out, no man will have you.”
“I don’t want a man. I want sugar,” Mary said.
Beth won, and they were soon walking out the open door. Walter followed, sniffing at their skirts.
“Excuse me, Forrest, I need to ensure Walter does not follow them.” Nathan headed for the door.
“Of course you do,” his cousin drawled.
Beth and Mary were having what appeared to be a heated discussion further down the street. Walter sat on his haunches studying them.
Something made him look right, to the entrance of a small lane. A niggle of unease, a shiver of awareness—he couldn’t name it, but suddenly something felt off. Turning back to the women, he watched Mary walk away from Beth, shaking her head. Returning his gaze to the lane, he saw the barrel.
“Drop to the ground!” Nathan roared the words as he ran. Seconds later, the gun fired. He dived and reached Beth, pulling her beneath him.
Chapter Nineteen
“Beth, are you hurt?”
“No,” she was breathless from Nathan’s large weight pinning her to the ground, but not hurt. “Mary?”
“I am well, but now I definitely want a sugary treat!”
“Is everyone all right? I heard a gunshot?”
Nathan and Beth looked up and found a man seated on a huge black horse.
