Page 21 of The Lady Loves A Scandal

“It is addressed to Viscount Galway, not me,” he said with a firm shake of his head.

They both stared at the letter, Charles not making any move to take it, and Gideon wondering if he dared to open it. They’d waited less than two weeks after his solicitor delivered Gideon’s request. Did the court’s rapid response signify that they were in agreement with the laws governing the Navy’s ability to impress men into service with no notice?

The practice was barbaric—and archaic.

There were men of every station about England who longed for a commission into the crown’s Navy; yet during the wars, his country had continued with the practice of forcing unwilling countrymen to serve.

“My lord, my apologies for interrupting your meal once more, but we seem to have a situation in the front drive that needs your attention,” Pires said with a curt bow before hurrying back to the foyer.

Gideon’s first thought was that the courts had sent men to collect Charles and remove him back to the port immediately.

“I will come with you.” Charles laid his napkin on the table beside his half-empty plate, and a footman stepped forward to assist him in standing. “My cane, if you please, Jackson.”

“You should wait here.” Gideon knew his request would be met with defiance.

Charles was resolute in his decisions, much like a certain dark-haired, wild-spirited woman Gideon was acquainted with.

“If they are here to collect me, I will go willingly.” Charles held his chin high as he collected his cane and started for the door. “I will not cause you any more grief.”

The only person responsible for Gideon’s surmounting grief—with accompanying guilt—was Gideon himself. It had been his fault that Charles was taken, and now, Gideon had once again not done everything in his power to protect his friend.

“They will not take you,” Gideon bit out through clenched teeth, taking hold of Charles’ arm as they walked side by side toward the foyer. “That much I can promise you.”

“We may not have a choice.”

There were always options, of that Gideon was certain.

“—you will allow me entrance.”

Gideon’s steps faltered as the familiar voice floated down the long hall.

“Lord Galway is expecting me,” Lady Sybil said, her voice rising an octave.

“My lady, I can assure you, the viscount is not—“

“If you would announce my presence, I can assure you Gideon will welcome my arrival.”

“Who is that?” Charles asked, hurrying his steps while Gideon dug in his heels. “It cannot be…”

Gideon released Charles’ arm, and his friend shuffled ever closer to the foyer, his injured leg dragging slightly in his haste to find out what all the commotion was about.

It was on the tip of Gideon’s tongue to call to Charles, warn him that the woman might be a distraction, a ploy to get Charles out into the open so he could be apprehended.

“Giddy, is that who I think it is?” Charles hissed in his direction. The words echoed in the foyer, bouncing off the vaulted ceiling. “Lady Sybil Anson?”

He saw enough to notice that Sybil had stopped tussling with the footman who attempted to keep her out of the townhouse.

“Step aside, my man, step aside,” Charles’ voice boomed across the foyer. “Allow the woman in. Have you completely forgotten your manners?”

The elder of the pair, Gideon had forgotten Charles’ assertive nature from their boyhood days. His commanding voice and sturdy presence dominated every village gathering at Gideon’s country estate. As they aged, Gideon had no doubt that the young women of the village would just as likely find delight if asked to dance with Charles as they did with Gideon.

The footman stepped aside, and Sybil huffed as she pushed the hood of her cloak back and began unbuttoning the long row of brass buttons holding the overgarment closed to keep the chilly night air at bay.

“Very kind of you, sir,” Sybil said, turning her most innocent smile on Charles.

Gideon watched the man practically melt into his boots.

“As I was attempting to tell Lord Galway’s butler…”—she paused, glancing about the foyer—“wait, speaking of Gideon, where is he? And who are you?”