Page 12 of The Lady Loves A Scandal

“And you are adhering to his edict?”

“Of course, not,” Gideon said, holding out his hand for Charles’ glass. “Another?”

“Certainly. You drink to forget the past, while I imbibe to help clear my mind and bring into focus the future.” Charles attempted to stand, but his leg was still too weak.

“No need to get up.” Gideon moved to the sideboard and removed the stopper from the decanter of scotch. “I have sent a note to Lady Sybil. If it is her wish to never speak to me again, she will ignore it; however, if I arrive at the place I bid her to meet me, and she is there…I know not all hope is lost.”

“If I were a betting man—which mayhap I am—I think she will be there.”

Gideon turned from the sideboard and rested his hip against the table. “You have more faith than I, my friend.”

“No, that is not it.” Charles’ expression turned severe, his mouth dipping into a frown, and his brow furrowing. “I listened to you speak of the woman for months. One cannot make up that sort of connection. She risked much to meet you the night you left London to find me. In my experience—“

“What experience have you?” Gideon asked, immediately regretting his words. “I mean to say…”

“Fear not. I am not offended.” Charles sat forward, his intense stare holding Gideon’s. “In my limited experience, it is not every lifetime a person comes to know someone as loyal, dedicated, and determined as you, Giddy. You searched for me long after I had stopped trying to free myself. If I am correct, you will not give up on your courtship of Lady Sybil any easier.”

Gideon had not been completely forthcoming with Charles. Perhaps he didn’t want to hear his friend’s advice about the situation. Yet, the time had come to tell him the whole of it. “Lady Sybil is nearly betrothed to the Duke of Garwood. It might have naught to do with my determination, and all to do with where Lady Sybil’s affection now lies.”

“A healthy dose of competition?” Charles teased, taking the replenished tumbler from Gideon. “Come now, do you think this lord loves Sybil more than you do? Do you think he will be a better husband and father than you could be? Do you think he will provide the affection and stability you promised her?”

“I don’t know the man from any other walking the streets of London,” Gideon admitted.

“Let us take your heart out of the equation,” Charles retorted, taking a sip of his scotch before continuing. “What does your gut tell you?”

His gut? Was it not only his heart that mattered in this type of decision?

“Rational thought, Giddy.”

“I know I will cherish Lady Sybil all her days. I would dedicate my entire existence to her happiness, just as I promised before I left London. As far as Garwood goes, and his intentions, I cannot speak to that.”

“Then I think it wise to speak of this with Lady Sybil when next you see her.”

“I have never withheld anything from Sybil.”

Charles raised one brow at Gideon’s proclamation.

“Well, aside from my search for you.”

“Perhaps she would have understood everything and not accepted Garwood’s courtship had she known the whole story.”

“I cannot tell her now,” Gideon said with a firm shake of his head. “It would be too dangerous. If the bounty hunters find us and learn my identity before I receive word from the Admiralty Court, they could learn of my past connection to Sybil. They could hurt her to find us.”

Charles lowered his gaze to his glass. “I think we evaded the hunters near the Scottish border nearly three months ago. I am not fearful that they will come here—to your home—and attempt to return me to the ship. Besides, the Villa de Constance and the Victoria have long set sail for parts unknown.”

“Until I have the papers in my hands, officiated by my solicitor, I will not risk anything,” Gideon bit out. “I will not put either you or Lady Sybil in jeopardy.”

“Very well,” Charles sighed. “But know this, once Lady Sybil and Garwood announce their betrothal, you will be gentleman enough to concede defeat. That much I know of you. You are an honorable man. If you love her, which I have no doubt you do, you must fight for her…and quickly.”

Gideon had no need for Charles’ warning. The precarious position he found himself in was at the forefront of his thoughts.

Both men fell into silence as their thoughts meandered and navigated their own musings—Charles’ likely on his future, and Gideon’s on a way to resolve his past.

Chapter 4

9 August 1815

The end of the Season is upon us, my kind readers, and many debutantes have yet to secure so much as a second dance from a gentleman—much to the dismay of their marriage-minded mothers. One such lady we are all aware of is Lady Sybil. For the sister of an earl, she certainly has a way of frightening off eligible men. Lord Galway has not so much as shown his face in London in many, many months, and it is rumored that he took to the sea to be away from Lady Sybil.