“You’re confused, Lord Liddican. You see, I’m ill and have retired for the evening, as any number of women will say. You, however, are well known for lying and cheating.”
“I never—”
“Against women, my lord. You lie to us, you hit us, and you will cease that now.”
His laugh was both loud and evil, sending ugly chills down her spine. But that only served to raise her Scottish ire. Scotland wasn’t without its own abusive men, but it was the duty of all Scots to see that such villainy ended. Apparently, the English didn’t have such restraints, so it was up to her.
“I am about to beat you bloody, my lord. This is not my preferred means of handling one such as ye, but sometimes a physical reminder is needed.” She winced as her brogue slipped through. This wasn’t a Scottish matter. This was awoman’smatter.
“You?” he scoffed. “You beat me?” Now his laughter could be heard booming through the garden. Loud enough, in fact, for several ladies to step out of the shadows.
These women were her friends. They slid into view, each carrying a weapon of sorts. They looked ridiculous, brandishing small knives or heavy rocks. One ancient matron pulled out a dueling pistol in shaking hands. But their faces were set in angry lines as every one squared off with Lord Liddican.
He looked around him with open scorn. “You are all being ridiculous! Go back inside before you hurt yourselves.”
Sadie happened to agree with him. Her friends couldn’t do much damage to anyone but themselves. Still, it warmed her heart that these ladies would come to her aid, and she would make sure none of them regretted helping.
She squared off with the man, making sure the ladies stayed behind her while she trapped him between a tall hedge and an oak tree. “You are outnumbered, my lord. Now heed my words. Go home. Go back to your county seat and let your wife and child visit with her mother forever. Because this I swear, she is never going back to you.”
“Why you filthy Scottish whore! She is my wife, and she will go where I say. And you—”
He barreled toward her. He was not a quick man, but size had its advantages. Fortunately, Sadie had grown up with brothers and knew what to do. But before he could get close to her, a figure stepped out from behind the oak.
A man.
A large man who moved surprisingly fast as he threw a single fist at Lord Liddican’s face. The bastard’s head snapped back, and he dropped hard onto the ground.
Sadie gasped. She hadn’t even seen the stranger arrive. She ought to have been more aware. And damn it, what if LordLiddican were dead? She might be able to escape one accusation of murder, but not two!
Fortunately, she was lucky, or the unknown man had dealt his blow carefully. Lord Liddican was flat on his backside, but he wasn’t dead. He wasn’t even unconscious as he maneuvered up onto his elbows, murder in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Sadie took a step to the side, hoping to see more of the newcomer’s face. But all she could see were broad shoulders and an impressive expanse of back. With little room, she had to content herself with a look at Lord Liddican’s furious expression while the intruder held up a single large hand.
“You seem to have gotten a great many people angry, Eddie. Not just these ladies, but the Prince Regent himself.”
That voice. She knew that voice, but it couldn’t be him. Not the one man who had humiliated her in front of her guardian. True, he had saved her from a murder charge, but he had done so in the most dismissive, arrogant, obnoxious way possible. It couldn’t possibly be him here now, interrupting her attempt to save a woman from a disastrous marriage.
Except that voice sounded so familiar…
Meanwhile, Liddican was regaining his wits. “I have nothing to do with Prinny!”
“That was once true,” the intruder said. “But now you’ve sold your vote to Lord Parisham. Prinny was most unhappy about that.” He shrugged. “Unhappy enough that I was sent to speak candidly with you. So I followed you here and what do I find? You and a bevy of very unhappy ladies.”
Liddican’s mouth gaped open. “How could Prinny know?” He swallowed that train of thought as he maneuvered to his feet. Personally, Sadie wouldn’t have allowed that, but the man in front of her gave the bastard enough room. And as much as she hated it, she had to appreciate the skill of a man who could walk into a mess and immediately take control of the situation.
“Parisham bragged about it. He all but wrote it in the newspaper.”
Lord Liddican flushed dark. “He cheated me! He cheated at dice and then gave me no choice!”
“I don’t really care,” the intruder interrupted. “You’re going to vote as you promised Prinny.” He leaned forward. “It is the right vote, you know. It is best for the country—”
“But I can’t! He’ll beggar me!”
“Youbeggared you.”
“But he’ll say things about me. Things that aren’t true!”
The man sighed as if he was tired of the whole situation. Truth be told, he wasn’t the only one. “Let me make this simple, Eddie. I’ve bought out your debts—the ones to your tailor, your valet, your bootmaker, and even your cook. You will vote as you promised Prinny or I will send you to debtor’s prison.”
