Through time; The ripper (Completed)

Ready to fight

*Leo*

The vibrant sounds of laughter and music echo through the grand ballroom as I weave my way through the crowd, searching for Lily.

She is radiant in that gown, a vision of elegance and grace, and I’ve been savoring the moments we danced together. The warmth of her smile lingers in my mind, and for a moment, I allow myself to revel in the thought of her.

But my brother informed me that he last saw her go out on the back porch with Lord Edward, and as I do not trust that man I am

Not on the look for her.

The back porch is almost empty, and the garden seems quiet, but I still venture out on the path.

Then, I hear it… a sharp female curse followed by a slap, and my heart drops. I quicken my pace, the laughter behind me fading into an ominous silence. My instincts kick in, and I push through the throng of guests, a storm brewing inside me. Suddenly, I hear her squeal, a sound that sends a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

What the hell is happening?

I sprint toward the source of the commotion, my eyes scanning the dimly lit corners of the garden. And that’s when I see them… Lily, struggling against Lord Edward. He has her pinned against the trellis, his hands gripping her arms as he leans in, his intentions clear.

Rage surges within me, fueling my resolve. I storm forward, my fists clenching instinctively. "Get your hands off her!" I roar, the command ripping from my throat like a beast unleashed.

Without waiting for a response, I throw a punch, connecting solidly with Lord Edward's jaw. He stumbles back, shock flashing across his face as he clutches his chin. “What the hell was that for?” he growls, his bravado faltering.

“Lily, are you okay?” I turn to her, my voice softening, desperate to gauge her condition. Her face is pale, eyes wide, but she nods, relief washing over her features as she steps closer to me.

“I’m fine, Leo. Just a misunderstanding,” she reassures me, though I can see the tremor in her hands.

“Misunderstanding?” I spit, my gaze snapping back to Edward. “You should know better than to corner a woman alone in the gardens. What were you thinking?”

“She came wirh me willingly, nonwoman of quality would do that,” His expression shifts, a sneer creeping onto his face. “She’s a cheap little…”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I hiss, stepping closer, my body tense with fury. The threat hangs in the air, heavy and volatile. “If you do, I’ll challenge you to pistols at dawn, and I assure you, I’ll be the last man standing.”

Edward’s bravado falters; We went to Eton together and he knows I am a far better shot than him. He pushes himself off the trellis, taking a step back, calculating his next move. “You can’t be serious. She’s hardly worth the trouble.”

In that instant, I see the real Lord Edward… the arrogant, entitled man who believes he can toy with people’s lives. I know I won’t let him get away with this. “You’re mistaken, Edward. She’s worth more than you’ll ever understand. And if you ever mention this incident to anyone, I promise you’ll regret it dearly.”

He glares at me, the bravado draining from his features, and then he turns on his heel, retreating into the darkness of the garden. I watch him go, my chest heaving with adrenaline, my heart racing for a different reason now.

Once he’s out of sight, I turn back to Lily, concern etched into my features. “Are you sure you’re alright?” I ask, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face, the anger seeping away as I focus on her.

“I am now,” she whispers, her voice trembling slightly. “But I… I didn’t expect that. I thought he was just being charming.”

“He’s not charming, Lily. He’s dangerous. You deserve better than that,” I say, a firm conviction settling in my chest.

“Sorry, I didn’t know… I… ,” she replies, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “But thank you, Leo. You saved me.”

I pull her into an embrace, and she melts against me, the warmth of her body soothing my frayed nerves. “I’ll always protect you, Lily. I promise.”

We stand there for a moment, the cool night air wrapping around us, the chaos of the ballroom a distant memory. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, and I realize how much I care for her… more than I ever thought possible in such a short time.

“Let’s get you back inside,” I say finally, my voice low and steady. “You shouldn’t have to face this kind of fear on a night like tonight.”

As I lead her back to the ballroom, I can’t shake the feeling that I might not be able to just let her go when I take her back to her own time. But for now, I focus on the woman beside me, determined to keep her safe and show her that she’s anything but cheap. She deserves a world of beauty and respect, and I’ll fight for that… no matter the cost.