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“Oh,” Lenora whispered.

Evidently, the Countess of Keyworth and the distraught woman at her side were too overwrought to introduce themselves. Or perhaps they thought him presumptuous and simply refused to do Jason the same courtesy.

Drawing her eyebrows together, Lenora winced. “Are they gone?”

No need to ask who they were.

“Yes, dear,” the Countess of Keyworth assured her. “The curs fled moments ago. You were very brave, Lenora.”

“Hear, hear,” a man called from the semi-circle of spectators. “She’s a veritable Artemisia.”

“I think the whole display was vulgar and unbecoming,” a woman sniffed, her tone haughty and condescending.

“Ye wouldn’t be sayin’ that if she’d saved ye from a robbery,” intoned another man.

Lady Keyworth squeezed Lenora’s hand, then folded the handkerchiefs and applied the bloodied cloths to Lenora’s head once more. “Your brother will be so very proud.”

“I doubt it.” A grimace crossed Lenora’s ashen face. “Landry will call me foolhardy and reckless.”

The injured beauty was Keyworth’s sister?

Why hadn’t Jason known that?

In point of fact, he didn’t travel in the same circles as the Keyworths. In general, Jason avoided ton gatherings. He disliked being dissected by snobs and having his failings publicly cataloged, including his American origins.

Jason removed his neckcloth and passed it wordlessly to the Countess of Keyworth.

Somewhere behind him, a woman gasped in rapt astonishment. “I cannot countenance it. Why, he’s actually disrobing in public.”

“He’s an American,” a man remarked as if that explained Jason’s indecorous behavior.

The Countess of Keyworth gave him a grateful smile as she gingerly wrapped the length of fabric around Lenora’s head.

“Indeed, you were courageous, my dear. I owe you a tremendous thanks,” Grandmother said, patting Lenora’s hand.

“My head hurts,” Lenora murmured as her eyelashes fluttered closed once more.

Had she fainted?

A coach drew up. Grim-faced, Grandmother’s driver hopped down.

“What has happened, my lady?” Fellowes asked, lines of worry etched into his already craggy features. Myrtle and Grandmother still sat upon the ground. At once, Fellowes helped both women to their feet.

Grandmother met Jason’s gaze. “Jason, do lift Lenora into my coach at once. She requires medical attention. Perhaps even stitches.” She glanced up. “Lady Keyworth. Have you a preferred physician we should send for? If not, I can recommend mine.”

“We do.” Lady Keyworth motioned to the beadle, who rushed to her side again. She passed him a few coins. “Have a lad fetch my physician, John Calder, on Cowley Street. Tell the doctor to come to Keyworth House straightaway.”

“Yes, my lady.” The beadle scrambled to do as bid, and soon another lad took off toward Cowley Street.

Without waiting for permission from the countess or the other eagle-eyed woman he’d begun to suspect was Lenora’s mother, Jason scooped Lenora into his arms.

Instantly, her eyelids popped open, and her nostrils flared.

She was a slight little thing. Not exactly petite in stature, but by no means did she harbor any excessive weight.

“I can walk, Captain Steele,” she informed him in a prim tone that made his lips twitch.

“I don’t doubt that you can, but I don’t believe it would be wise until a physician examines you.”

She sliced his grandmother, who now soothed her distraught lady’s maid, a side-eyed glance as he strode to the waiting coach. Beneath her breath, she asked, “Are you always so bossy, Captain Steele?”

Grinning, Jason winked. “Only, it seems, Miss Audsley, when it comes to you.”

“Lucky me,” she muttered tartly before deliberately closing her eyes and turning her face away.

He’d guessed correctly. She was Keyworth’s sister.

“No, lucky me,” Jason murmured for her ears alone.

Very, very lucky indeed.