I need help finding a book/author.  I read an excerpt or first chapter of this book online 1-2 months ago.  Unfortunately, I can't remember the site and have been unable to find it again.  I don't remember anything about the title or author either but hope someone will recognize it by my summary of the part I read.

I think it takes place in England or Scotland.  A lady is trying to find/rescue her brother (I think someone captured him).  She goes to an inn to hire a captain to take her by ship to where she thinks he is.  She meets the captain at the inn and hires him (he is very seedy).  She sees another man at the inn who is fierce looking and has a scar on his face (I think he is at the table talking with the captain or comes up to the table).  Then, after she leaves the inn the captain attacks her and trys to rape her.  She has a sack of coins to pay for her passage which is all the money she has left which he takes.  The fierce man with the scar from the inn rescues her and stops her from being raped.  He then offers to help her/take her with him.  I think the lady was accompanied by a family servant or knight who the captain's men attack also.  

I am pretty sure this book is part of a series because I think there were other books, and I think one told the story of the brother.