Page 9 of The Lady Loves A Scandal

From the anguish clouding Gideon’s stare, he was as deeply wounded by the words as she.

With a sigh, Gideon rubbed the back of his neck. “I have wronged you, Sybil. I know that. I will work every day to make amends, but you must understand, I had no choice but to depart London.”

“And I cannot bring to mind a single reason that you could not have at least written me during all those—“

Gideon stepped closer, running his finger down her cheek to her neck as he leaned ever nearer. “You are, perhaps, more beautiful than that night outside my townhouse,” he muttered, his gaze on her lips.

His warm breath caressed her skin, and she longed for his hands to do the same.

“Do not attempt to distract me, Gideon.”

“My name has never sounded so sweet.” His lips almost brushed hers with the final word, sending a strong shiver coursing through her. “May I kiss you, Sybil?”

“No,” she murmured, but her denial was weak.

All he needed was to ask again, and she would agree, give him everything he longed for because she desired his kiss, as well.

But he didn’t push her, only held his place, their lips so close his breath became hers.

She stared up into his face…a visage as familiar to Sybil as her own; yet his eyes were ringed with dark shadows, his face slimmer than before, and his cheeks hollowed. He’d lost a significant amount of weight since she’d last seen him. He did not just appear exhausted, he obviously was weary, as evidenced by the dip of his shoulders, his waxen complexion, and the grim set of his mouth. He was bone-tired—on the brink of collapsing. Not even newly tailored evening garb and a fresh razor could hide the fact that Gideon was drained.

“You haven’t been sleeping well.” She reached up and ran her fingertip along his face, his jaw tensing at her intimacy. “Are you in trouble, Gideon?”

She knew even without his answer that he was—in grave danger if his haunted look told her anything.

Over the last year, Sybil had endured near societal ruin. She’d been fodder for the gossips and all but crucified by Lady X’s scandal sheet. However, Gideon’s pleading stare told her that he’d been through much worse…yet, he returned to her.

The uptick of her heart spoke volumes.

Surely, Sybil could trust her heart, for if not, she had little hope she could survive should Gideon disappear again.

She loved him. And the soft pleading in his eyes said he felt the same about her.

Nothing had changed between them over the last year despite their hardship.

A door slammed, and Gideon stepped back, pivoting to face the sound, putting himself squarely in front of her. Peeking around him, Sybil spied a shadowy figure as it crossed the corridor and continued down the hall Gideon had traversed earlier.

“I should go.” Even before the words had left her mouth, she was inching down the wall toward the door that would return her to the ballroom. “We cannot be seen here…together.”

“May I call on you tomorrow?” He knew as well as she the power and destruction that could be caused if they were discovered alone in a dark corridor—the gossip sheets would not allow the indiscretion to go unnoted.

“You can do as you please, Gideon, but I must return to the festivities before anyone questions my absence.” She stared up at him, her eyes begging him to make her stay; however, good sense won out for both of them. “Goodbye, Gideon.”

“Goodbye, Sybil.” He took her gloved hand and pressed his lips to it in farewell.

She pulled her hand from his hold, grabbed her skirts, and hurried toward the ballroom.

“Farewell, my love.”

His words floated on the stale air, a crushing reminder of the last time Gideon had uttered that exact phrase. This time, she prayed it would not be so long until they met again.

Chapter 3

25 March 1816

It is with the utmost curiosity that I must share with you all that was seen on the night of Lady Lichfield’s birthday celebration. Namely, Lord Galway and Lady Sybil in an embrace most intimate and scandalous in the darkened halls of Lord Lichfield’s townhouse. I must say that this sighting comes rather unexpectedly, as this author was preparing to announce the long-awaited betrothal of Lady Sybil to the Duke of Garwood. Is this pair—Galway and Lady Sybil—fated to be, or will the viscount disappear once more, as quickly as he returned?

~Lady X