(A/N: For those who are celebrating it this week, Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe in this crazy world.

CONTENT WARNING- Scoundrel deals with physical abuse and sexual assault. Some interactions in this chapter may be upsetting to readers.)

Two years ago

Sofia waved enthusiastically as she walked out of the local orphanage. The soon to be sixteen year old turned around and instantly walked right into a young man.

"Oh sorry," Sofia said. "I should've been watching where I was going."

The young man smiled, looking Sofia over.

"It's no problem," he said. "Far be it for me to stay mad at such a pretty young lady."

Sofia blushed. "Thank you. I don't recognize you. Are you new to Dunwittie?"

"Not exactly. I've lived in Cantare Valley my whole life. I'm just staying in an inn here while repair work is done on the home my mother and I live in. I have to say though, the ladies here are better looking than back home. And you outshine all the ladies I've seen here."

Sofia resisted the urge to giggle. "Thank you. Welcome to Dunwittie. I'm Sofia Balthazar Cyning. What's your name?"

"Alexander Graham. Cyning? As in Mayor Cyning?"

Sofia nodded. "He's my father, well step father. But he doesn't treat me any differently than my step sister, his daughter."

"How lucky for you. My father died when I was very young. My mother never remarried so I didn't grow up with a father."

Sofia's eyes widened. "Oh how terrible. I'm so sorry."

Graham shrugged. The two started walking down the roadway. As they did, Sofia told her companion about Dunwittie, completely oblivious to the way he was eyeing her.

"Say, Mother doesn't make for great company in the evenings. She goes to bed very early. I could use some charming company tonight. Will you come to the inn with me?"

Sofia shook her head. "Sorry. I have to be home for dinner. My aunt and uncle are going to be there. Maybe some other time, I can spend some time with you."

"Of course," Graham said as nicely as he could manage. "Some other time then, Miss Sofia."

Sofia smiled, not seeing how dark Graham's eyes had become.

"I better hurry off now. I don't want to be late. I hope to see you around some more."

Graham nodded. "Indeed. I wouldn't want someone to snatch you up before I have a chance to be with you."

Sofia giggled. "I'm still only fifteen. I'll be sixteen in a few weeks then I can court. Have a good day."

Sofia mounted Minimus and rode off. Graham glared at her as she disappeared from sight.

"No one refuses me!" Graham muttered under his breath.

oOo

"Sofia, what happened the first time?"

Sofia's eyes were wide and almost frantic. Then she murmured something that made Cedric feel colder than ice.

"It was my fault. I could have prevented it."

What? Cedric scowled. "Him attacking you will never be your fault."

Sofia tensed. No one knew just how far back her history with Graham went. She'd told no one that she'd met him well before the day of the attack. Looking back at that day, Sofia hated her naivety. If she'd realized just what he'd been asking of her, she could have told someone and known to stay away from the perverted man. She should have mentioned meeting someone new to begin with. But she hadn't. If she had, she could have known to stay away from him and the attack wouldn't have happened.

Right? "I meant before the day he came to Cantata Hall. I met him for the first time a couple weeks before I turned sixteen. The first attack was a few weeks after my birthday. He said he was staying in an inn in Dunwittie while repair work was done on his home. Lies. He asked for some company but I needed to get back home. I should have known what he wanted. Should have told someone. I didn't. If I had… It's all my fault."

Cedric tightened his grip on Sofia. "Sofia, what he did is not your fault. He's a deranged lunatic. Even though you met him beforehand and didn't realize what he was really like, it will always be his fault. He chose to violate you."

Violate? Does he…? No! There's no way he could know. No one who knows would have told him. He wouldn't come after me if he did.

A chill ran up Sofia's spine as her thoughts turned very dark.

"Even if you live, no one will want you."

Sofia quickly shook herself out of her thoughts. She had to get away from the topic of fault.

"We had a couple more chance encounters leading up to the day of the attack," Sofia continued. "The last time I saw him before the attack, I mentioned that my parents were going to leave for a couple weeks to celebrate their anniversary. He knew when they would be gone and he took advantage of that. He came, we enjoyed tea together and walked in the garden. Once we were in a very secluded corner, everything changed. The first time he laid his hand on me, I could only stare in shock. I never expected it. Never thought I'd gasp for air, any air I could get, while a hand viciously squeezed my neck. I don't think anyone ever thinks they will find themselves in a situation where they are being beaten over and over again. During that time, Graham broke my arm. Shortly after he did, the world became foggy and dim. I was still conscious but nothing was clear."

Cedric thought over everything Sofia was telling him. With each word that she said about the attack, he was tempted more and more to ride to Purdan and beat the rat into a pulp again and maybe leave a few more bullets in him.

"There must have been more noise made than either of us realized," Sofia continued. "For all his attempts to keep me quiet by choking me, there was still just enough noise. James heard something and found us. He was not happy, to say the least. I don't remember a whole lot of the fight those two got into. I do remember James calling Graham a low life coward. And later he said he was absolutely certain he broke Graham's nose."

A snort of laughter escaped Cedric's lips. "Good for him."

Sofia nodded. "Well, Graham realized he was no match for James, who is always finding himself in some brawl or mischief of some sort. So he ran. I think it tore James apart having to choose whether to pursue him or get me inside. But he chose me. Shortly after we were inside, I fainted and didn't wake for several hours."

Cedric wasn't sure he could tighten his protective grip on Sofia any more. So much was making sense.

"Merlin's mushrooms, Sofia," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Sofia sighed. "It only seemed to keep getting worse. Like I said a moment ago, my parents weren't home. And we didn't know where to look for them. Fortunately, Dad's sister and her husband live fairly close. They came to support us until they got back two weeks later. Shortly afterwards, rumors started flying high about me. Amber has always been certain that Graham had something to do with that. There had been gossip before about me. But it was very mild and easy to ignore. But afterwards, the gossip was not so easy to swallow. Nothing was ever the same again."

Sofia became quiet and looked further away from her companion. Cedric seemed to realize that she was not going to talk any further about what happened. He stroked Sofia's hair in a comforting manner.

"I wish I knew what to say or do to help you feel better."

Sofia looked at Cedric. "You got rid of Graham. You searched for me this morning. You didn't have to do either one."

Cedric smiled slightly. He was about to say something when a cold, sharp breeze blew through the trees, causing Sofia to shiver. Cedric glanced at the sky. It wasn't raining at the moment, but it probably wouldn't be long before it started again.

"Are you alright, Sofia?"

Sofia nodded. "Just a little bit cold," she said as a yawn escaped. "And a little tired too."

"Just how early did you go wandering?" Cedric asked.

"Way too early," Sofia responded, yawning again. "The sun wasn't even up."

Cedric raised an eyebrow. "Little Girl, it's time to go home."

Sofia nodded. Cedric took her hands and stood up, pulling her up with him. Quickly they mounted Taika. As they rode back to Hexley Hall, Sofia held onto Cedric tightly.

oOo

Winnifred sat near a window, frequently looking out to see if there were any signs of her son and guest returning. It had been a few hours since Sofia's maid had fretfully informed her that she was missing and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't even a little worried. The maid had refused to say much about Graham but did mention that he was a horrible criminal. As little as the maid had said before frantically excusing herself, it was enough for Winnifred to start connecting the dots.

"My Lady, they're back."

Winnifred looked up at one of her young maids. "Very well."

She stood up and went down to meet them, surprised at what she saw. Both had mud splattered on them, and Sofia was safely held in Cedric's arms. Sofia's head was resting against Cedric's shoulder and for a moment, it was hard to tell if she was awake or sleeping.

"I could have walked," Sofia said softly, confirming she was awake.

"You could barely stay upright," Cedric replied softly. "That's how tired you are."

"I had some soreness and discomfort from the saddle," Sofia protested weakly.

"Whatever the case, I have you."

"Fine."

"That's better. Now, you're getting a bit to eat and going straight to bed."

"As you wish, My Lord," Sofia deadpanned.

Within an hour, Sofia and Cedric had a bit to eat and she went to bed. Cedric let out a sigh as he sat down near his mother.

"Cantata Hall must have been the center of great tragedy and sadness," Winnifred said. "Sofia's maid looked ready to faint when you mentioned this 'Graham'. I asked her who he was, she said he was a criminal and then ran away in fear. I don't know much but based on the very little I do know-"

"What do you know?" Cedric interrupted.

"I made some guesses based off of some of Sofia's behaviors and the very little information Violet gave this morning in the dining room. It seems to me that Graham did something unspeakably terrible to Sofia a couple years ago."

Cedric nodded, feeling downright miserable. And she wouldn't tell me the full truth.

"According to Dunwittie's constable, Graham viciously attacked several women and even murdered a few of them." Cedric felt bile rising up his throat as he spoke those words.

"I suppose it's a very fortunate thing you caught and sent Graham to prison. And not just any prison either."

Cedric looked up in surprise. "How did you know? I told that constable not to tell anyone it was me. And Sofia and her sister agreed to help me stay anonymous."

Winnifred smirked. "Constable Miles sent a messenger to tell Lord Hexley that the criminal from Dunwittie he wanted gone had arrived at Purdan. I received that message."

Cedric snorted. "Incompetent constable. I told him to deal directly with me."

"What did you say to him?"

"I told him if Graham got the slightest sniff of freedom or spread the word that I was in Dunwittie, he would have a war with the Hexley title and I would see him removed from his position."

"Did you specify at any point that you aren't Lord Hexley yet?"

Cedric was silent. Winnifred nodded, her expression growing smug.

"Well then, no wonder he sent a messenger here."

Cedric muttered underneath his breath. Winnifred reached over and patted his hand.

"Now don't be like that, Ceddykins. It wasn't all bad. That goof let me know where to look for you."

Cedric sighed. "Did you receive any of the letters I sent?"

Winnifred shook her head. "I knew nothing of them until Sofia mentioned you said you've sent several."

"How could they not arrive?" Cedric asked.

"Someone's been interfering," Winnifred answered. "It's the only explanation that is reasonable."

Cedric glowered. If something in his eye was any indication, he had the same guess as his mother about who was interfering. Winnifred seemed like she was going to speak further but a maid came into the room.

"Excuse me, My Lady, a letter for you."

Winnifred took the letter before excusing the maid. She looked it over, her expression unreadable.

"Well, the old fool may just miss the heavy rain storms."

Cedric tensed. There was only one person his mother called an old fool.

"Your father finished his town business much earlier than expected. He'll be here in two days."