Page 6 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“What the bloody hell did you just do?” she demanded.

“Wh-what do you mean?” he sputtered. “I just saved you, Woman.”

“Saved me?” Her bright blue eyes flashed in anger at him. “From this poor girl?”

Girl?

He glanced over as the woman rushed to the fallen figure and said, “There, there. Please don’t worry. He isn’t with me. I have never laid eyes upon him. Let me help you stand.”

Spencer reached for the weapon still lying on the ground and the thief said, “My knife!”

As the woman pulled the thief to his—her—feet, Spencer saw that it was a girl. A young woman dressed as a man.

The woman glared at him. “Return the knife to her, my lord.”

“Why the bloody hell would I do that?” he asked, puzzled by the events unfolding, knowing with certainty even if this woman were in search of a husband, she would be the last one he would want as his countess.

“Language, sir!” she chided before reaching out and snatching the knife from him, handing it back to her attacker.

Spencer didn’t bother pointing out she had cursed at him first.

“Much thanks, my lady,” the thief muttered.

“You are most welcome. Come, let us go.”

The two started off and he loudly asked, “Where do you think you are going?”

Both women turned. The younger, bedraggled one had a look of fear on her face. The older one, however, raised her chin a notch, glaring at him and yet brimming with confidence. She appeared more like Boudica, queen of a Celtic tribe who led an uprising against the Romans in the first century. A lover of history, Spencer had always imagined Boudica to be an imposing figure, bowing to no man.

This woman, tall and lithe, with golden blond hair and piercing blue eyes, seemed even more impressive than the Boudica he had pictured.

“We are going to the Earl of Uxbridge’s townhouse, my lord,” she said, enunciating each syllable as if he would have trouble understanding their destination. “We are going to eat and get to know one another.”

“But she tried to steal from you,” he pointed out.

“Only because she had no choice.” The woman turned to the thief. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, my lady. I was hungry. Haven’t eaten in three days,” the girl admitted.

“Have you parents?” the woman asked kindly.

“No, my lady. Mum died two years ago. I never knew my father.”

She stroked the girl’s dirty cheek. “Things will get better. I am in need of a lady’s maid. Perhaps you would be interested in the position.”

“Lady’s maid?” both Spencer and the girl questioned.

“Yes. I have been sharing a lady’s maid with my cousin, Adalyn, but the Season will be starting soon. I will be in need of one of my own. Come along and we can discuss the position and your salary. What is your name?”

“Abra,” the girl said, wide-eyed.

“How old are you, Abra?” the woman asked gently.

“Sixteen.”

The woman cocked her head. “A bit young for a lady’s maid but I know I can train you.”

Tears welled in the girl’s eyes. “Thank you, my lady.”

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