Chapter Six #2
A brief expression of surprise, or perhaps guilt, crossed Leo’s face. “What an odd accusation, my dear. Spying? What on earth would compel me to do such a thing?”
“Because you feared I would refuse to see you,” Annie replied, “which is why you waited till I was not at home and then bullied my maid into allowing you access.”
His subsequent laugh was more derisive than humorous. “Utterly ridiculous. My visit is entirely coincidental to your absence. Yes, I insisted upon waiting, but the girl had no reason to fear me. She is obviously prone to fancy.”
Annie heaved a sigh. “Why are you here? What do you want?”
“We have things to discuss.” He gave Hattie a pointed look. “Alone.”
Annie scoffed. “I am certain you and I have nothing to discuss at all, alone or otherwise.”
Leo moved toward her. “I beg to differ, my love. We need to discuss the circumstances of your father’s death, for one thing. I trust you do not apply any blame for his demise on me, for I was not the one responsible. That distinction belongs entirely to Karl Hoffman.”
Struck silent by the sheer audacity of Leo’s statement, Annie recoiled a step, though more from revulsion than fear.
“First of all, I am not your love, nor I suspect, have I ever been. A fortnight has passed since my father’s death, and over a week since his funeral, all without a single word from you.
Not a single word! Where have you been? As to laying blame, Papa’s death inarguably came about due to your violent reaction to Mr. Hoffman’s accusations.
Did he find you? He swore he was going to track you down after you ran off. ”
“Hoffman?” Leo’s lip furled. “No, fortunately for me and for him, I have not seen him.”
“Well, if you’re here looking for absolution, you’ll be disappointed. This discussion is now concluded, sir, nor will there be any more between us in the future.” Annie stepped to the side and gestured to the door. “Please leave. You are no longer welcome in this house.”
Leo sucked in a hard breath and Annie barely suppressed a shiver of apprehension.
Had she pushed him too far? But then his shoulders dropped, and his expression softened.
“Annie, please, I beg of you, at least give me a chance to explain. I insisted on waiting this morning because I needed to speak to you. I need to bare my soul and yes, I am here to beg your forgiveness. That is exactly why I am here, in fact. I admit I lost my temper in the church, but it was purely in response to Hoffman’s lies and filthy accusations.
My uncle could not be present at the wedding because he is simply too busy to travel.
I believe I explained that to you. I never intended to hurt your father, you must surely know that.
I always had the greatest respect for him.
His death was an accident, a terrible, terrible accident, and the law agrees with me on this.
But seeing him lying there, realizing he was gone, and knowing I was the one who…
” He winced as if in pain. “May God forgive me, Annie, I could not bear the shame of my actions. And, until I learned where I stood with the law, I also feared the consequences of them. Prison, perhaps, or transportation to the other side of the world. So, I panicked and fled, taking refuge in a miserable rented room this past while. It was wrong of me, of course. I see that now. I should never have left you alone. I should have stayed by your side and faced the consequences. The blame, after all, was never mine to bear. Karl Hoffman was entirely the one responsible. If not for him, I would now be married to the woman I love. And I do love you, Annie. I have loved you since childhood.” Leo’s jaw clenched momentarily.
“But that… that bloody bastard ruined everything.”
“Language,” Hattie muttered.
“Yes, I beg your pardon.” Leo inclined his head. “I am simply speaking from my heart.”
Weighed down by grief and fatigue, Annie’s resolve wavered.
The explanation and apology had sounded sincere, as had the declaration of love.
But, with Karl Hoffman’s words playing in her mind, she studied Leo in continued silence, seeking any signs of pretense or deceit.
He rewarded her with a smile, but one that held no warmth, no emotion.
It appeared to be nothing more than a physical manipulation.
A counterfeit response. Hattie appeared to agree, judging by the whispered word that brushed softly across Annie’s left ear. “Snake.”
Annie propped up her sagging determination, drew breath, and fired a question at him. “What of Karl Hoffman’s sister?”
The smile vanished. “What of her? As I said, Hoffman’s accusations were false.”
Annie shrugged. “There is no smoke without fire, Leo. Upon consideration, I find it difficult to believe Mr. Hoffman would go to the trouble of traveling all the way to England to confront you unless there was some truth in those accusations.”
Leo scoffed. “You do me an injustice, my dear. Hoffman’s sister is notoriously free with her favors. The child could be anybody’s.”
Annie arched a brow. “Are you saying, then, that the child might be yours?”
He groaned. “No, that is not what I am saying at all. Think, Annie! We have known each other all of our lives. Our fathers, yours, and mine, wanted us to be together, and I see no reason why that still cannot be. This world, this city, is unsafe and, as a young woman alone, you are particularly vulnerable, at the mercy of those who might exploit you. You need a husband, a protector, someone to look after your interests. That someone has always been me, and you need me now more than ever. You must see that.”
“And you must see how your assurances ring hollow,” Annie cried, throwing her arms wide. “You abandoned me at one of the most frightening times in my life, a fact that makes a mockery of everything you have just declared.”
He grimaced and inclined his head. “Yes, to my shame, I did. But I swear I shall spend the rest of my life making amends for it, if you’ll let me. Please consider it.”
Annie fell silent as she pondered. Facing the future alone was certainly daunting, but the idea of submitting to Leo’s pleas, to resume any kind of relationship with him, stirred nothing within her.
His declarations of regret and shame had not quite reached her heart, nor had his expression of love.
As she hesitated over her response, Karl Hoffman’s words once again drifted into her mind.
A man without honor who will undoubtedly take all he can from you and then cast you aside…
Annie then turned her thoughts to that morning and the stroll she’d taken, retracing the path of a man she would likely never see again. A man who, in a mere fragment of time, had made her feel something she’d never felt before. Not love, of course, but maybe an introduction to it.
During her walk with Hattie that morning, she’d given full rein to fancy and dared to imagine Julian Northcott to be at her side once more, sharing stories of family and life beyond the city. A foolish daydream, but she’d found comfort in it.
“We can start again, Annie.” Leo’s voice intruded into her reverie. “You will not regret it. You have my word.”
Annie frowned. There was no way of knowing what life might yet bring, what challenges awaited. But, in that moment, she knew which direction to take.
Forward.
Not back.
“My answer is no, Leo.” She went to the door and opened it wider. “What we shared in the past is over. There really is nothing else to discuss. I would like you to leave now and never return. As I said earlier, you are no longer welcome in this house.”
Leo’s expression darkened visibly. “You are allowing your grief to guide you,” he said, nostrils flaring. “You are not of sound mind.”
“At least my grief is sincere.” Annie gripped the door handle to stop her hand from shaking. “And my mind, sound or otherwise, is made up. Please leave.”
Hattie moved to stand beside her. “You heard my lady,” she said, glaring at Leo.
“Hush,” Annie muttered.
Leo parted with another humorless laugh.
“As you wish, then,” he said, “but I fear you’ll live to regret your decision.
The day will come, and no doubt soon, when you’ll seek me out to beg for my help and protection.
You know nothing of the world, Annie. Nothing.
You cannot possibly survive on your own.
” Lip furling, he gestured toward Hattie. “You cannot even control your staff.”
Jaw set like steel, he went to move past them, but paused beside Annie and gazed down at her, his expression softening.
For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of remorse in his eyes.
Then he raised his hand and touched his knuckles to her cheek.
Hattie, standing beside her, sucked in a quick breath.
Annie merely turned her cheek away and remained silent.
Leo’s hand dropped and another soulless smile appeared. “Take heed, my little Annabelle,” he murmured, his sour breath warm against her face. “You will live to regret this.”
Moments later, the slamming of the front door rattled through the house.
Annie leaned against the wall, heaved a lungful of air, and pressed a hand to her stomach again. “Dear Lord,” she said, exhaling. “Now, I definitely need some tea.”
Hattie moved into the hallway and stared at the front door. “You also need to make an appointment with Archibald Mason. And sooner rather than later.”
“Papa’s solicitor?” Annie straightened and followed Hattie’s gaze. “Why?”
“Because we have not seen the last of Leopold De Witte. He’ll be back, mark my words.”
“That may be so, but I am not obliged to let him in.” Annie shrugged. “I shall make sure Bridget understands she is not to answer the door if, and whenever, I am absent.”
“I fear it won’t be enough.” Hattie regarded her. “The man is not used to taking ‘no’ for an answer.”