After a moment, Honor nodded and stepped back. “Smart girl,” she said, though her voice shook. “This world isn’t a pretty place. Better for you if you stick to dancing. And work, since that’s what you want.” Her expression grew mocking as she added, “If you think you can handle seeing me that much.”
Vivian could feel heat pooling at the bottom of her spine, but she said, as calmly as possible, “I can. Can you?”
For a moment, Vivian could see naked regret in Honor’s eyes, regret and sorrow and longing. She felt as though she were seeing the real Honor for the first time. Not the suave businesswoman or the smiling flirt, but a woman who had taken a risk and discovered it cost more than she expected, more than she perhaps wanted to lose.
Honor shook her head. “I don’t know, pet. You get under my skin.”
“Well, that makes two of us,” Vivian said honestly. “Guess we’ll just have to figure out how to make it work.”
“We’ll see what happens, won’t we?” Honor raised one hand halfway, as if she wanted to reach for Vivian one more time, but drew her fingers back and shook her head, smiling. “I’ll see you soon, Vivian.”
Vivian watched her wind through the crowd by the bar, parting the people around her through sheer, smooth confidence. Only when Honor had disappeared from the hall did Vivian turn back to the dance floor.
Leo was waiting there, saying a cheerful good-bye to the baby vamps, who had apparently cajoled him into a second dance after their wild Charleston. Whether he had seen her good-bye to Honor or not, he clearly knew Vivian was there, because he turned just as she approached.
“Hey there, Vivian Kelly,” he said, sticking his hands in his pockets as he eyed her warily. “Looking for me?”
“I guess so,” she said, feeling light-headed with confusion. Something had ended there with Honor. And something else, perhaps, had started. “I’ve been doing some thinking.”
“Oh?” His voice was carefully neutral.
“Thank you for helping my sister,” Vivian said, then took a deep breath. “And… I’m sorry for a lot of the things I said last night. I wanted to tell you that I understand. Why you didn’t tell me the whole truth, I mean. I get it.” She was talking too much, and she closed her mouth abruptly, frowning in embarrassment.
“Is that you saying you forgive me? Or that you still need more time before you’re ready to see me again? Or…” He hesitated. “Or that you get it, but you still want me out of your life?”
“I think the first one.”
“Oh.” He stared at her, his look of surprise melting into one of delight. “Oh, Viv, that’s—” He pulled her close, and for a moment he looked as though he wanted to kiss her. But he just stared at her seriously before saying, “I have to ask. Where exactly do things stand with you and your Ms. Huxley?”
Vivian blushed. “I don’t know,” she said, looking down.
Leo slid a finger under her chin and lifted it until she met his eyes again. “And where do things stand with us?”
“I don’t know that either.”
He nodded slowly. His arms dropped even more slowly, but he didn’t step back, and Vivian could still feel the heat of his body, could still smell the spicy scent of his cologne. “Well. Let’s keep things simple, then.” He smiled and took her hand. “Kick up your heels with me?”
“Leo…” Vivian planted her feet as he started to turn toward the dance floor. “I need to ask you something.”
He frowned at her serious tone. “What happened? Is your sister okay?”
“She’s fine. We’re both fine. But…” She took a deep breath. “What would you say if I told you that Roy Carlton didn’t kill Wilson?”
She could see his shoulders tense. “Do you know who did?”
Vivian hesitated. “I found out something about Hattie Wilson. I was fitting a dress for her today, and she’s not actually pregnant. I don’t think she ever was. So… I don’t think Roy had a reason to kill Wilson.” She bit her lip, watching Leo anxiously.
“Is there more you’re not telling me?”
Vivian swallowed and made herself meet his eyes. Somehow, this was harder than facing down Honor—maybe because with Honor they were finally being honest with each other. And she was starting to suspect that Leo, in spite of everything, was a pretty straightforward fellow. She pulled away from him gently. “Yes.”
He blew out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “Your sister shot Roy Carlton in your defense. He was going to hurt you, Vivian, maybe even kill you. Nothing can change that.” He took her hand again and, feeling it shake, rubbed it between his own. “Officially, he was never accused of Wilson’s murder, because officially Wilson wasn’t murdered. He died of a heart ailment. And officially, I’m not the police, so I don’t much care who killed a rat like him. If they’re satisfied to wrap up the case as it stands, I don’t have to tell them anything else.”
“Do you know something, Leo?” Vivian asked, eyes narrowing.
“I could probably put together a few pieces, since you’re telling me there’s more to it. Do you want me to?” When Vivian shook her head, he took a deep breath and nodded. “All right then. I trust you. If you’re telling me to leave it alone, I will.”
“I’m not sure you should trust me.”
