Page 21 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“What is wrong?” Lord Evan asked with a puzzled look.

She pointed towards the two men as she took a step back.

Lord Evan turned towards the men and promptly greeted them. “Hello, gentlemen.”

The taller of the two men chuckled. “There are no gentlemen here, bloke.”

With shaky hands, Jane reached into her reticule and pulled out her muff pistol. She brought it up and pointed it towards the two men.

Lord Evan reached out and put his hand on top of the gun. He gently lowered it to her side. “There is no reason to shoot anyone.”

The shorter man bobbed his head, drawing attention to a scar that ran along his forehead. “We are just looking for a good time with the lady, and then we will leave you two alone.”

Lord Evan put his hands up. “I’m afraid I can’t let that happen,” he said in an apologetic tone.

The tall man gave him an amused look. “We weren’t looking for permission.”

Lord Evan ushered Jane behind him. “It would be best if you two depart from this alleyway and pretend that you never saw us,” he warned.

“Or what?” the short man asked.

Lord Evan shrugged. “It would save me from roughing you up some,” he said calmly. “If not, I can’t guarantee that either of you will be able to walk out of here on your own accord.”

The men laughed loudly in response.

A shiver of fear traveled down Jane’s spine, and she began to bring the pistol back up. Lord Evan put his hand out, stilling her. “Trust me,” he whispered, his alert eyes, never leaving the two men.

“I do,” she replied as she lowered her pistol back to her side.

“I am pleased to hear that,” Lord Evan said. “It would be best if you put your muff pistol away.”

As Jane placed the pistol into her reticule, she watched as he shrugged out of his jacket. Then, he extended it towards her. “Will you hold this for me?” he asked.

“I will.”

Lord Evan gave her a reassuring smile. “Just give me a moment—”

The tall man cut him off. “You talk big, but—”

“Do you mind?” Lord Evan demanded, speaking over him. “I am trying to speak to the lady.”

The man closed his mouth, but his eyes sparked with fury.

“As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted,” Lord Evan continued, “you need not fear for your safety.”

Jane bobbed her head, but she still felt an uneasiness in her stomach. How was Lord Evan going to defend them from two men who looked determined to harm them?

Lord Evan stepped closer to the men. “Shall we begin?”

The tall man stepped forward and swung at him. Lord Evan easily sidestepped his blow and jabbed him in the side, causing him to drop to his knees and gasp for breath. The short man looked over in surprise at the lord before he put his clenched hands up in front of him. In a swift motion, Lord Evan punched him in the jaw, knocking him backwards.

“Have you had enough?” Lord Evan asked, glancing between the two men.

The short man slowly approached Lord Evan, now brandishing a dagger in his left hand. “You will pay for that,” he growled as he spat blood onto the ground.

“This situation is entirely of your own making,” Lord Evan said as he reached behind him and pulled out an overcoat pistol, “and you are being disrespectful to the lady.”

The short man dropped his dagger and put his hands up in front of him.

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