Page 32 of The Viscount's Seduction
She couldn’t move. She couldn’t see. He found the sheath at her waist, his hands touching only the leather, not her. Not like last night.
“I don’t have another handkerchief,” he murmured. “Hold those tears, love.”
That swelled her eyes more. She wiped at them with her sleeve and then she squeezed her eyes tight for a moment.
When she opened them, she saw Walter and Josh, rounded up with the villains. “What are you doing?” She summoned her English yet one more time again, imitating a duchess she’d heard speaking to Lady Hackwell. “These two are my men. They were protecting me. Unhand them right now.”
Mr. Gibson eyed his brother. “And it looks like they took the worst of it.”
“At least five against two. Such valor will not go unrewarded. Gentlemen, I’m Lord Bakeley. Her ladyship and her men will come with me. I’ll see that they get medical attention.”
One of the two policemen looked speculatively at her.
“I am the daughter of the Earl of Glenmorrow. I am not a...a woman of the streets.”
“Odd that an Earl’s daughter would be here.”
She opened her mouth and clamped it shut.Peeresses did not explain themselves to lesser beings.
“Milord, they must give statements. All of them, including the lady.”
“I’ll see to the statements,” Lord Bakeley said. “Brother, explain please.”
Mr. Gibson drew the more suspicious officer aside.
Lord Bakeley fixed his gaze on Walter. “Who are you?”
Walter had propped Josh against the wall and was busily mopping blood from his brother’s poor battered face.
“These are the...the Smith brothers,” she said. Oh, she was a poor liar, yet she must protect them. “This is…Michael, and this is…John who was beaten so fiercely. You boys saved me.” The dratted tears came and she swiped at them, angry with herself for being such a crying ninny.
“Well, you saved me, milady,” Josh said.
“I am so sorry, boys.” She glanced at Lord Bakeley. He should not be here. Why was he here?
The memory rushed back. He’d said he would call on her and he’d done it. But how had he tracked her down?
Fear rippled down her spine. His father was having her followed. If that were so, then the O’Brians were in danger. She must take them somewhere. The money she’d planned to use for a bribe—that would pay for a room for a time. They’d know where to go, and she’d throw her own self upon Lady Jane’s mercy.
“Bakeley,” Mr. Gibson said, “I’m taking these men with me. Come along, then, John, Michael. I’ll find us a hackney.”
“No,” Lady Sirena said fiercely, “they’ll go with me.”
Neither Michaelnor John budged at Gibson’s order. One of the officers took a threatening step toward her.
Bakeley drew her a few steps away from the men. “You’ll all come with me. They need medical attention, and you and I need to talk.”
She shook her head, her face going pink even while she blinked away tears.
Blast it. His only concern was getting her to safety. To hell with her men.
Hermen. Who were they? Bakeley looked from her to the twoboys,who were both well into their thirties. The names were no doubt fraudulent—the shop boy had mentioned a Walter—and why they were here, he knew not. He could kick their arses for letting her come down here.
Though, knowing her, she would have come by herself without protection, so he must thank them for not abandoning her.
Two Irishmen using aliases. They were wanted by someone, probably his father.
“I won’t turn them over to Shaldon, I promise you. Now, is that yours?” He pointed at a large heap of black wool. She wore no pelisse or mantle and was shivering.
