Page 28 of The Lady Loves A Scandal

But before anything could be done, he was to be ripped away…again…with little chance of returning to her.

“I am Charles Symthe,” his friend stepped forward. “I will go with you willingly.”

“What is going on?” Lichfield demanded. “No one is going anywhere. Not until I find out what this is about.”

The earl looked between Gideon, Sybil, and Charles, waiting for someone to speak.

“Lord Galway disappeared last year because of me,” Charles offered. “I was taken and impressed into service during the war. My ship ported in England, and when Gideon got word, he came for me. If anyone is to blame, it is I, Lord Lichfield, not Gideon.”

“I not be care’n who’s ta blame.” The sailor glanced at his mate and nodded toward Charles. “We’ll take ‘im and come back for the other. Cap’n will be happy nuff with that.”

“You cannot take him.” Sybil lifted her chin as if daring the men to go against her wishes. “I will not allow it.”

“Move out o’ the way, ye Friday-faced light skirt,” the sailor spit out. “We haven’t the time for ye meddle’n.”

Gideon had known Sybil to be headstrong, but her bravery bordered on insanity. The men before her were hardened sailors, likely killers where the need arose. Yet, she did not back down when the oily-haired seaman took a menacing step toward her.

Gideon’s heart froze in his chest as if a sudden ice storm assaulted his entire body, keeping him from moving even the barest of inches. Only feet separated him from Sybil, but it might as well have been the English Chanel.

The sailors both angled their bodies toward Sybil, their narrowed stares enough to bring most grown men to their knees in fear, except Sybil made no move to back down. There was no chance Gideon could reach her before one of the men made to strike her.

Chapter 9

10 April 1816

All’s well that ends well…as the saying goes. I have it on good authority that London will shortly see another wedding shrouded in scandal and mystery with no small amount of intrigue! This author would swoon, but my latest headpiece would not survive the fall, I assure you. I reported over a year ago that the fair Lady Sybil Anson was to wed Lord Galway and, dear readers, I am never wrong.

~ Lady X

Sybil ignored the shiver of apprehension that coursed through her as one of the men attempted to grab her arm with his filthy, calloused, ungloved hands. Deftly, she sidestepped the sailor but did not allow them a clear path to Charles.

In an instant, Gideon was by her side, prepared to protect both Sybil and his friend.

How had she ever thought Gideon a scoundrel? He would gladly sacrifice himself for his friend, and Sybil knew that if she were to fall into evil hands, he’d be there to rescue her, too.

“Do not lay a hand on the lady,” Gideon thundered.

“Step aside. We be collect’n what we came for.”

“You will not be leaving here with anyone.” It was Silas’s deep, stern voice that voiced the words, his tone brooking no argument. He’d stepped forward to stand on the other side of Sybil, making it three people the sailors would need break through in order to get to Charles. “I require your papers, gentlemen.”

The pair glanced at one another when Silas held out his hand and waited, wiggling his fingers to emphasize his demand.

“We not be need’n ta prove anythin’ ta the likes o’ ye.” The sailor stood his ground, folding his arms across his chest and spitting at Silas’s feet. “This be a court matter.”

All eyes moved to the spittle that clung to the toe of her brother’s polished Hessian.

“Gentlemen—and I use that term rather loosely…” Silas smiled. It was the same grin Sybil was known to have when she was up to something. “Allow me to introduce the Honorable Mr. Augustus St. Paulson. He is a magistrate in good standing with the courts of England.”

“This be maritime law, ye bloody nob.” Both sailors chuckled, thinking they’d outwitted Silas, but Sybil suspected differently. Her brother rarely embarked on a task unless he was certain he held the upper hand. “Now, move aside already before we be put’n a fist ta ye chin.”

“Without any paperwork on the matter, you are trespassing on my property,” Gideon replied, sending a conspiratorial glance in Silas’s direction.

At some point, things had altered between her brother and Gideon. They’d gone from foes to allies in the blink of an eye. They now had a common objective.

Justice, fairness, loyalty.

Honor.