He found her by the derelict stables, her gaze carefully trained upon the ground as if searching for a lost object.
Just for a moment, his gaze lingered upon her delicate form, shown to advantage in a blue muslin gown, and the shimmering raven curls piled atop her head. She appeared so tiny, so utterly vulnerable, that his heart gave an odd lurch.
Almost as if sensing his presence, Miss Hadwell slowly turned. The dark eyes widened as he stepped forward.
"Oh." Her hand lifted to press to her heart. "You startled me."
Sebastian offered a faint bow. "Forgive me, that was not my intent." He glanced about the decrepit stables and small yard littered with rubbish. "Have you lost your brother once again?"
The tension faded from her face as her charming dimples suddenly flashed. Sebastian felt an odd warmth flow through his blood, as if the sun had abruptly emerged from behind heavy clouds.
"No, William is safely at home enjoying his breakfast."
"Ah, that is a relief." Ruthlessly shaking off the strange desire to sweep the petite maiden into his arms and carry her off to the protection of his home, Sebastian took a step forward. He had to somehow convince this overly bold woman that she could not be so recklessly indifferent to her own safety. "The streets of London can be a perilous place. Most especially when the night cloaks them in shadow."
"So I have discovered." Her smile faded and for the first time Sebastian noted the weary smudges beneath the dark eyes. "Unfortunately, William has no understanding of danger. He believes that all possess his own gentle heart."
A flare of impatience raced through him. "A grievous error and one that might lead to your own harm."
His tone was sharper than he had intended, and her expression swiftly settled into lines of defensive stubbornness.
"I have spoken with him. There is little else I can do."
Realizing his mistake, Sebastian forced back the words trembling upon his lips. For the moment it was important that he not alienate this woman. He would have to consider what was to be done with her troublesome brother at a later time.
"If it is not your brother that you seek, then what brings you to such a melancholy place?"
Her gaze slowly turned toward the shadows of the stables, her arms wrapping about her waist in an unconscious motion.
"I could not sleep," she said slowly. "I wished ..."
"What?"
There was a moment's pause before she grimaced. "I wished to assure myself that I had been mistaken."
"Mistaken in what?" he asked softly.
A visible shudder raced through her. "There is no such thing as a shadow that speaks and murders innocents. It must have been fear that made me believe in such an absurd fancy. It could not have been real."
Sebastian frowned at her troubled tones. Surely any other maiden who had received such a fright would wisely lock herself in her home and not return to the very spot where the demon had lurked? Reckless, indeed.
"And so you came in search of this killer?"
"Of course not." She regarded him with a hint of surprise. "I merely desired proof that it was a human monster and not a figment of my nightmares."
"Ah. Have you satisfied your fears?"
She grimaced again. "Not really. There is nothing to verify what I witnessed last evening." There was a pause as she studied his deliberately unreadable expression. "Unless you possess an explanation?"
He did, of course. He possessed all the answers she clearly desired. But he feared that she was not yet prepared for the truth. Should he tell her of Drake and the Medallion, she might very well think him mad, or worse.
Besides which, the knowledge that a desperate vampire was stalking her was hardly a reassuring revelation, he acknowledged ruefully. For now it seemed preferable to worry over nightmares.
He gave a lift of his shoulder. "As I said last evening, it is a creature of the night."
Her lips thinned at his cautious words. "That is no answer."
Sebastian stepped closer. Close enough to smell the heady scent of her warm skin.
"And will giving it a name make it any less dangerous?" he asked in low tones. "Will your fear be abandoned and your heart lightened? Man or beast, it is a thing to be avoided."
Not surprisingly, she appeared far from satisfied by his vague response. "I think you know more than you are willing to admit."
"Perhaps."
She studied him in exasperation before at last heaving a sigh. It was obvious that she sensed his adamant refusal to reveal anything more.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
His lips twitched at her unmistakable annoyance. She was not a maiden often thwarted. It did not suit her to be anything but in command of every situation.
"Such a fascination with names," he murmured.
Her nose tilted upward at his teasing, but he did not miss the sudden glint of humor in the dark eyes.
"It is only proper manners to offer an introduction. We have now spoken on two separate occasions."
"Ah well, naturally I must bow to the pressures of proper manners." Before she could guess his intention, he had reached out to grasp her hand and lifted her bare fingers to his lips. Her skin was soft as satin beneath his touch, and Sebastian found his mouth lingering as he breathed deeply of her feminine fragrance. Strange that he had forgotten the sheer pleasure of touching a young woman, he thought inanely. Or perhaps it was simply this young woman who awoke his long-buried passions. His blood stirred even as he forced himself to loosen his grip and take a step back. There was danger in such sensations. "I am Mr. Sebastian St. Ives. And you are?"
"Miss Hadwell," she retorted absently, her gaze straying to her fingers before lifting her gaze with a faint blush.
He refused to consider her flustered reaction to his touch. He was a scholar, he staunchly reminded himself. And for the moment, a reluctant guardian of this maiden.
"A pleasure, Miss Hadwell."
"You ..." She paused to suck in a deep breath. "You are not from London?"
"No. Indeed, I have only recently arrived." He paused to glance about the rubbish that was happily rotting beneath the morning sunlight. "I am still attempting to settle among the noise and fragrant aromas of the city."
She wrinkled her nose in ready empathy. "You have not had a very pleasant welcome. I can assure you that the days are not as a rule so wretchedly hot, nor the nights so filled with such violence."
"And the noise and aromas?"
"Those, I fear, are our constant companions," she confessed, those dimples once again making an appearance.
"A pity." Arrested by the sparkle in the glorious eyes, Sebastian slowly smiled. "Still, I suppose London does have its share of beauty. Beauty that is all the more rare and astonishing because it is unexpected."
She blinked, almost as surprised as Sebastian himself at the soft words.
"Yes ... well, I suppose there is nothing to be found here. I should return to William."
Sebastian was swift to hold out his arm. He did not want this woman to be wandering through London on her own. Not with Drake and his minions only a few houses away.
"Allow me to escort you."
She lifted her brows, as if caught off guard by his offer. "That is not necessary. I live but a short distance away."
"Not necessary, but perhaps wise." He deliberately glanced toward the ground where the traces of blood still remained. Not even this maiden could so easily have forgotten a woman had been murdered in this spot only a few hours ago. "A young maiden upon her own in such an isolated area can be prey to all sorts of undesirable attention."
With a tiny shiver she readily placed her fingers upon his arm. It appeared that her stubbornness was at least tempered with a measure of common sense.
"Very well."
Relieved that he was not to be forced into a ridiculous argument, Sebastian steered her away from the stables and down the narrow lane. He even managed to pull her close enough to feel her sweet warmth seep into his being.
For a time they walked in a companionable silence, and then Sebastian glanced down to study the delicate lines of her profile.
"Do you care for your brother on your own?"
She abruptly lifted her head to meet his searching gaze. "Oh, no. I have Mrs. Benson, my housekeeper. She is very dedicated to William."
"What of your parents?" he demanded, not at all pleased with the thought of this maiden being so heavily burdened at such a young age. It was surely unnatural, even among humans.
"They . . ." Her gaze dropped abruptly. "They struggle with their sense of regret over William. It has been very difficult for them to accept the fact that he would never be as other young gentlemen."
Sebastian held no sympathy for the unknown Had-wells. Vampires respected and admired one another precisely for their differences. It was well known that it was the variety of thoughts and opinions that made for the highest form of society, and that all possessed their share of strengths and weaknesses. All except for the three traitors who had proved unworthy of respect.
"He seems a loving and gentle soul," he said.
She gave a restless lift of one shoulder. "Yes, but there can be no denying that he is slow of wit and incapable of controlling his inheritance."
"He would not be the first son who is a disappointment to his parents," Sebastian pointed out in dry tones. He had been in London long enough to witness the wretched display of debauchery by those who claimed to be of the highest blood. "The gaming hells of London are littered with worthless noblemen squandering their inheritances."
A revealing grimace crossed her pale features. "I believe that my father would prefer such a scoundrel. As it is, he feels that William is ..."
Her words trailed away and Sebastian instinctively covered the fingers upon his arm with a comforting hand.
"An embarrassment?"
"Yes," she whispered softly.
"But not you?"
Her head rose abruptly, the dark eyes glittering. "Of course not. William may not be like other gentlemen, but that should be rejoiced in, not feared. He does not harm others, nor lie or cheat. And certainly such a sweet man should not be locked away as if he were a dangerous animal."
Sebastian narrowed his gaze at her fierce words. He might admire her determined love for her brother, but that did not make him indifferent to the danger that he posed. William was a weakness that Drake would be swift to use to his advantage.
"No, but neither should he be allowed to lead you into reckless folly. Last night was a near thing, my dear. Too near."
He could feel her stiffen at his side. "William does not make a habit of slipping off in the night. Besides which, I have spoken very sharply with him."
Sebastian arched a knowing brow. "And you believe that he will heed your warning?"
Her eyes revealed the truth of her unease. She clearly was no more confident than himself that William would halt his excursions through the dark streets of London.
"It is all I can do," she admitted reluctantly. "I will not have him locked in his rooms nor tied to his bed."
"So instead you will allow yourself to be put at risk?"
"If I must."
That stubborn expression had returned to her countenance and Sebastian heaved an inward sigh. He was once again in danger of pushing her away.
"Then I hope you will call upon me if you are ever in any need," he said gently. "I should be happy to lend my assistance."
Without warning, she came to a halt and turned to face him. "Why?"
He gave a blink of surprise at her sudden question. "I beg your pardon?"
"You offer your assistance to a mere stranger. I wonder why you would do such a thing."
"You are a young maiden on her own."
The hint of wary suspicion remained simmering deep in the ebony eyes. "There are any number of young maidens on their own in London, most without the security of a home and regular allowance. Why choose me?"
Sebastian paused before deliberately curving his lips into a small smile. "Do you seek compliments, my dear? Do you wish me to tell you that I thought of you long into the night? And that I was anxious for an opportunity to speak with you again?"
Just for a moment, her breath seemed to catch at his flattering words. There was even a hint of color upon her cheeks. Then her shoulders squared sternly and she angled her chin to a stubborn tilt.
"I do not believe you."
Sebastian gave a choked laugh. "No?"
"I am not entirely ignorant. You are not a gentleman who indulges in light flirtations."
He grimaced at the truth in her accusation. Unlike Gideon and Lucien, who had joined him to battle the traitorous vampires, he had never found pleasure in pursuing mortal females. Even before the Veil, he had held himself aloof.
"No, I fear I do not possess the skill for such adventures," he confessed, his gaze lingering upon the tempting curve of her lip. "That does not mean, however, that I do not find you fascinating."
Her lips thinned in disbelief. "Perhaps as a scientist finds a bit of mold fascinating."
This time his laugh echoed through the empty lane. She was certainly a maiden who preferred to speak what was on her mind. She was also far too perceptive.
"I would hardly compare you to mold, my dear. You are far too beautiful and intelligent. A rare combination."
She waved aside his words of flattery. "What is it that you want from me, sir?"
Sebastian stepped closer, realizing that his attempts to distract her with sweet words would not satisfy her suspicion. She did not desire to wrap her world in a rosy glow that dimmed any unpleasantness, as many young maidens preferred. She would face it with a bold, fearless manner.
"For the moment I only ask for your trust," he said slowly.
The dark eyes narrowed. "Why?"
His hand was reaching out to move softly over her raven curls before he could halt the movement.
"Because I fear that danger is stalking the streets of London," he murmured. "And you are alone."
She searched his countenance, as if seeking answers. Or perhaps she was simply attempting to determine if he were friend or foe.
At last she gave a slow shake of her head.
"But you will not tell me why I am in danger? Nor why you are willing to protect me?"
"You would not believe me if I did tell you the truth."
Annoyance tightened her features as she heaved a deep sigh. She raised slender fingers to press to her temple as if to still a sudden pain.
"I weary of these riddles," she said in dark tones.
Sebastian allowed his hand to briefly cup her pale face before he ruefully stepped backward. She did, indeed, appear tired and far too fragile. His heart gave a squeeze of sympathy.
"You are very pale," he said gently. "We will speak of this again later."
"Yes, perhaps that would be for the best," she readily agreed. "Good day, sir."
He dipped his head. "Good day."
Resisting the ridiculous urge to reach out and keep her from leaving his side, Sebastian watched in silence as she slowly made her way the short distance down the alley and turned into the corner of her garden. Even from a distance he could feel the lingering anxiety that he had been unable to appease. He could feel it as sharply as if it were a part of himself.
A part of him desired to follow and wrap her in his arms so he could assure her that nothing would happen to her as long as he was near. Another part, however, urged him to return to his home and attempt to regain a measure of detachment. Nothing could be served by allowing his suddenly awakened emotions to cloud his wits.
Waiting until he was certain she was safely inside her house, Sebastian slowly turned to make his way back down the lane. He had a great deal to consider. Not the least of which was how he intended to put an end to Drake's threat.
Lost in thought, Sebastian had just passed the abandoned stables when he came to a sudden halt. Although there was nothing to be heard or seen, his senses alerted h
im that he was no longer alone.
With a fluid stealth, he had slipped his hand beneath his coat to grasp the hilt of his deadly dagger. Only then did he step forward to confront the lurking intruder.
"Who goes there?" he demanded in low tones. "Reveal yourself."
There was a sudden rustle among the leaves of a nearby hedge before a large, awkward form abruptly lumbered into the lane clutching a black cat.
"Me. Me."
Sebastian's tension eased as he replaced the dagger back into his hidden pocket. His expression, however, remained hard with annoyance.
"William." His brows drew together in a threatening motion. "What the devil are you doing here?"
Obviously impervious to Sebastian's dark temper, the young gentleman smiled with a sweet happiness.
"Nice man."
Sebastian's frown only deepened. "You do know that your sister believes you to be safely eating breakfast? She will be sick with worry when she discovers that you are missing once again."
William merely pointed toward the hedge. "Cats."
"Yes, I know about your damnable cats," he growled. Although he possessed compassion for the young man, the knowledge that he was so willing to lure his sister into danger was enough to set his teeth on edge. He did not doubt for a moment that Miss Hadwell would soon be scouring the streets in search of her missing brother. "What am I to do with you?"
"Me?" William wrinkled his brow. "Me, William."
"You should be at home. Did you not promise your sister to remain there?"
A familiar stubborn expression settled on the round face. "Cats."
"Blessed Nefri." Sebastian sucked in a deep breath. With an effort he calmed his rising temper. This man was a child at heart. He could not bully nor threaten him. All he could do was attempt to prevent him from leading his sister into disaster. "You are obviously determined to be with those mangy kittens regardless of the danger to your sister."
His smile returned. "Milly, nice."
"Milly?" Sebastian was briefly caught off guard. "Ah, Amelia. Yes, she is nice. Far too nice."
"Nice man."
My Lord Immortality Page 3