Page 18 of The Lady Loves A Scandal

“Be that as it may, he has ended your courtship, but has agreed not to speak on the matter amongst society,” Silas bit out, running his fingers through his onyx hair. “If we wish to say you decided to call off the coming betrothal, the duke is agreeable to that.”

“Only because he would be labeled a scoundrel if the truth were known.”

“You did not want to wed Garwood anyways,” Silas refuted.

Sybil crossed her arms, tapping the toe of her boot on the carpeted floor. “That is neither here nor there.”

“What is at the root?” Mallory offered.

“That I am the one being punished,” Sybil sulked, unable to stop the whine in her tone. “I will be sent to France, and Garwood will be free to set his cap on another unsuspecting lady.”

“Set his cap?” Silas asked. “You say that as if Garwood is a scoundrel, a rogue, and a dastardly lord.”

Sybil lifted one shoulder. “As if I would know. He was in no way a master at conversation.”

If her brother succeeded in dragging her to Paris, she’d never see Gideon again. She’d never determine where he’d gone or learn what had affected him so greatly that he returned a different man.

“What was my one rule during your debutante Season?” Silas pushed from his chair and walked purposely around his desk until he stood directly in front of Sybil. “What did I beg of you?”

“Not to create a scandal,” Sybil muttered, averting her stare and tightening her arms across her chest.

“And what would you call this situation with Garwood?” he prodded.

“A fortunate turn of events,” she whispered.

“Try again.”

“An unfortunate turn of events?”

“Yes, very unfortunate, especially after that gossipmonger, Lady X, insinuated that you’d been seen—in my home—in an intimate embrace with Lord Galway.” Silas’s nostrils flared with each uttered word. “Can you imagine my surprise that just the other day, a courier arrived with a note from the absent viscount requesting an audience with me? With me, after he disappeared without a trace on the day we were to meet to sign the betrothal contracts.”

Sybil wanted to correct her brother. Gideon had disappeared the night before the contracts were to be signed; however, she knew it would be unwise to interrupt her brother at this juncture.

“Did you invite Lord Galway into my home without my knowledge or permission?” Silas queried.

“No.” It was the truth. Sybil had been shocked to see that Gideon had returned to London.

“But you knew he had returned?”

“Of course, not,” Sybil snapped, pivoting away from her brother’s hard stare, fearful of what his next question might be. “I was utterly astounded to see him, but I will not say that it was an unwelcome surprise.”

“We both know you loved Lord Galway very much…” Mallory allowed the words to trail off as if baiting Sybil into denying her true feelings for the viscount, or admitting that they’d changed in any way over the last year. “It is only that we never want you to be hurt again.”

“You think Gideon has returned with the purpose of injuring me once more?” Sybil demanded.

“Heavens, no—” Mallory stepped to Silas’s side and slipped her hand into his. “We do not think he ever meant to harm you—or your reputation. But his reappearance is suspect. Can you not agree?”

“I most certainly will not agree; however, I can confirm that if you make me leave London, it will be you—the pair of you—who is causing me pain. Not Galway or Garwood…you.” Sybil started for the closed study door, determined to exit the room with her chin high. If she were to cry, it would be in the comforts of her private chambers, not before her brother. “I will bid you both good night.”

“Sybil, wait,” her brother called, the hard edge leaving his voice.

“Dear brother, I can assure you that the only thing we will never learn is why Gideon fled London because you turned him away when he requested an audience,” Sybil hissed, refusing to turn back to face Silas. She would have liked to see his expression when he discovered that she knew of his refusal to meet with Gideon; however, she knew tears were not far away. Allowing Silas to witness how gravely she was affected by Gideon’s return would be unwise.

“What am I to do with you, Sybil?” Silas sighed in defeat. “What will you have me do to fix this muddled mess we find ourselves in?”

“Have a bit of faith in Gideon, even if you cannot trust in me.”

“Sybil, your brother loves you dearly,” Mallory countered.