The Scandalous Lady Sandford (Lost Ladies of London 3)

Mackenzie cleared his throat. “I had arranged for the men to demonstrate their parrying skills in a competition tomorrow. Shall I postpone the event until his lordship returns?”

“No.” It was best they continue as planned. Besides, she needed a distraction, something to banish all thoughts of Vane and Fabian from her mind. “If we alter our plans it will seem as though we are living in fear.” And by God, she’d spent enough time worrying, enough time being controlled by the will of others.

“Very well, my lady.”

“I want guards posted on the gatehouse. No one is to enter or leave without permission. And I want a log kept of all movements from the castle to the dock.”

A smile touched the corners of Mackenzie’s lips. The gleam in his eyes made him look like a proud parent. “I’ll see to it at once, my lady. Now, we shall leave you to get some rest.”

Mackenzie stepped back and gestured for Nancy to exit the room. The Scot was about to close the door when Lillian suddenly had an idea.

“Oh, Mackenzie, before you go.”

“My lady?”

“Please add my name to the list of contestants eager to show their parrying skills.” If she hoped to serve these men in Fabian’s absence, she would need to gain their respect. “I should like to compete.”

The man’s eyes bulged and almost popped out of their sockets. “Compete?”

“Yes. You will find me a rapier and deliver it here first thing in the morning so I might practice.”

A stunned silence ensued.

“But his lordship—”

“Has granted me the freedom to do as I please. And so I trust you will carry out my request.”

“Of course, my lady,” he said with some reluctance.

“Then I shall see you bright and early.”

As Mackenzie closed the door, Lillian could no longer contain the surge of excitement. A contest was the perfect distraction. Equally, it was a way of proving she had the skill to kill a man, should anyone wish to challenge her again.

Chapter Fourteen

The shouts and jeers carried through the air for half a mile or more, the vigorous sound full of fire and aggression. The castle walls came into view. Fabian half expected to find men clambering over the ramparts, charging the doors with a battering ram or firing giant rocks from a catapult. But life outside the castle looked as peaceful as when he had left.

Fearing mutiny was afoot, Fabian broke into a run, leaving his men to trudge behind carrying Lillian’s trunk. His need to hurry stemmed from more than a fear of whatever was going on beyond the wall. For the first time in his life, he had missed home.

Four days away felt like forever. Lord, he’d spent endless months at sea, and never experienced the odd sense of separation. Home happened to be wherever he bedded down for the night. Now, home came in the form of a raven-haired beauty with eyes that bewitched a man at first sight.

He reached the gatehouse only to find the wooden doors shut, and so banged hard with his fist in the hope someone could hear him through the din. Isaac appeared at the square peephole and peered through the bars.

“Are we expecting an invasion?” Fabian mocked, although judging by the boisterous sounds coming from within, it sounded like a celebration.

“My lord, you’re back.” Isaac stepped away, raised the wooden barricade and opened the door. “Lady Ravenscroft wants to know who’s coming and going. We’re all to take turns guarding the door.”

Panic flared.

“Has there been some sort of incident?” A host of images flooded his mind. Had Aubrey broken out of his prison cell? Did the man have an accomplice who’d crept into the castle at night to rescue him? Damnation. Perhaps he’d been wrong to leave Lillian for so long, although it couldn’t be helped. After hearing Lillian’s heartrending story, dealing with Lord Cornell had become a priority.

“Not that I know of, my lord. Her ladyship gave the order last night.”

The order? Intrigued by his wife’s ability to command his men in his absence, Fabian strode through the gate, eager to hear more.

“Has her ladyship given any other orders while I’ve been away?”

“She forced Mackenzie to open the dungeon so she could speak to the prisoner.” Isaac shook his head and sighed. “Mackenzie tried his best to stop her, but it seems she had her mind made up.”