A Proper Scandal (Ravensdale Family Book 2) Read Free

but it was no use. A taller man emerged from the shadowed doorway holding a rag. The men hadn’t seen Alex. He could slip away, search for another to pickpocket. He was a bastard for thinking so, especially when the rag was likely soaked in ether.
    “Let her go,” he said, stepping out from the around the corner. He clenched his sore fists as the shorter man drew a knife. Today was not going in Alex’s favor, not that they often ever did.
    She struggled in the taller man’s firm grasp, fighting against the rag meant to knock her out, until she spotted Alex. Her body went slack. He hoped she was holding her breath or she’d be down like a bag of bricks soon, none the wiser to the rest of the world.
    The taller man dropped the rag, stepped forward, wiping his arm across his face, and then spat. “Bugger off.” He pulled the valise from her hand and a blade from his boot, waving it toward Alex.
    He pushed up the worn sleeves of his coat and flexed his dirty fingers. “You’re in the company of a lady. Mind your tongue. And your hands.” Alex edged forward, raising his arms and eying the girl’s valise. It would be nice to have money lining his pockets for once. Maybe a warm meal, too.
    “Back off,” the drunk threatened, his words slurred. “We found her. She’s ours.”
    “ All of her.” The taller man circled her with a keen eye.
    She tilted her head and mumbled to the men, her words too quiet. Whatever they were, they weren’t appreciated. The drunk dragged her into a tight hold and drew a blade against her throat. A small stream of blood trickled down the column of her neck, staining the lace collar of her dress.
    Alex charged forward, catching the taller man by surprise with a fist under his chin. The man’s head snapped back, he wavered, then crumpled to the ground. Alex reached around and pried the blade from the others man’s hand, saving the girl from having her neck slit open, then shoved her aside.
    She scurried over to her valise, as Alex circled the second man. For a drunk, he had a stubborn hold of the ground.
    “Well, hit him!” She flung her hands out into the air, flapping like a bird about to take flight. The weight of the bag almost toppled her as it swung back and knocked against her small waist.
    He never saw the drunk barreling forward until he slammed Alex to the ground. The air rushed from his lungs as he collided against the cobbled alleyway. The man was saying something above him, but the words weren’t registering over the ringing in his ears.
    The man settled above him, snarling, his face as red as a tart’s lips. Jagged metal rasped against his neck. Alex’s stomach churned at the man’s foul breath, trying to work out how best to escape with his head still attached. Then the man’s eyes widened and he collapsed onto Alex, as the blue valise swung overhead, followed with a loud thwack.
    The girl rolled the man off Alex with a shove, standing there with a smug smile. “Well,” she said, offering a hand to help him up.
    He stared at the dark blood dripping down the flawless, clean skin of her neck. This was no place for a girl like her. He ignored her hand and stood on his own. “Come on,” Alex said, walking to the brick wall at the end of the alley, side-stepping the fetid puddles. If he saw her to safety, then he could try nicking her purse as reward for his efforts without having to behave like a complete cad.
    “I’m not lost,” she said, staring steadfast into his eyes.
    Alex pulled his cap lower and stepped back. “They’re going to wake up soon,” he said, scaling the drain pipe. “I wouldn’t be around when they do.”
    The girl paused, considering him.
    “They’ll strip you bare and leave you dead in the gutter.” He rubbed at the ache throbbing at the back of his head.
    “I’m not daft.” She edged closer, her eyes fixed on the fallen men, her lips curled in disgust. “I’m—”
    “—Stubborn.”
    She kicked one of the men in the gut with her