My Lord Immortality

by Alexandra Ivy

  Lost in the smoky silver of his gaze, she slowly nodded her head. There was still far too much that she did not comprehend. Questions continued to whirl through her mind. Not the least of which was what Sebastian intended to do with her now. But for the moment she was willing to follow his lead.

  “I understand.”

  His grip tightened upon her cheek. “My dear . . .” His words were abruptly cut off as a sharp knock upon the entrance door echoed through the house. A tight flare of impatience crossed his features before he reluctantly rose to his feet. “I must answer that.”

  She sat upright, her eyes wide with sudden apprehensiveness. “What if it is the runners?”

  “Go to the kitchen and be sure that William is kept hidden. I will soon rid us of our unwelcome guest,” he added, his expression one of dangerous intent.

  Amelia swallowed heavily. His even tone helped her to regain control of her ravaged nerves. Nothing could be served by panicking. Unless she did something stupid, no one could possibly know that she and her brother were here.

  “Yes.”

  He regarded her for a long moment before he jerkily leaned forward to press his lips to her own in a startling kiss. It was over in the beat of a heart before he turned and strode smoothly from the room.

  Left on her own, Amelia lifted her fingers to touch the lips that still tingled from his brief caress. Then, a faint glow entered her eyes.

  Just for a moment, he had not been coolly pondering the best course of action. He had not debated whether he should or should not kiss her. It had been spontaneous and as unexpected for him as it had been for her.

  It had been from his heart.

  Chapter 10

  Once in the foyer, Sebastian paused to smooth his hair. As always, his time with Amelia had left him vulnerable and off balance.

  A grudging smile touched his lips. Damn it all, she refused to react in the manner he expected. All of his studies had indicated that she should have been in near-hysterics at this point. Not only to learn that a vampire of legend was stalking her, but that the gentleman whom she had come to trust was a monster as well.

  But there had been no tears, no fainting, no panicked flights from his clutches, no recriminations that he had lied and deceived her.

  Instead she faced him squarely and demanded the truth without flinching.

  It was little wonder he found himself forgetting he was in London only to protect the Medallion.

  Of course, a dry voice whispered in the back of his mind, his continuing admiration of her bravery did not fully explain that poignant, utterly impetuous kiss. A kiss he had been as unable to halt as the sun rising in the morning.

  Stifling a sigh, he continued across the marble floor. Fair maidens and tantalizing kisses should be the last things on his mind at the moment.

  With a flick of his hand he pulled open the door to find a large, bluff-faced gentleman. His eyes swiftly narrowed in caution. Despite the smile on the broad countenance, there was no mistaking the unconscious air of authority that clung to the man’s large frame.

  There could be no doubt as to the reason the stranger was standing upon his doorstep.

  As if sensing Sebastian’s wariness, the stranger conjured a self-deprecating smile that was no doubt intended to make him seem a harmless simpleton. A ploy that did not fool Sebastian for a moment.

  “May I help you?”

  “Mr. St. Ives?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ah.” He rubbed his square chin, the smile remaining intact. “I am Mr. Ryan from Bow Street. Forgive me for calling at such an early hour, but I am searching for a young gentleman.”

  Not without his own skill at deception, Sebastian lifted a cool brow. “Indeed?”

  “May I have a moment?” Mr. Ryan ploughed forward despite the obvious rebuff.

  “If you wish.” With a negligent shrug, Sebastian waved the man into the foyer and then led him to the nearby parlor. For once he was grateful for the dust covers that prohibited any need to offer the man a seat. “I fear my housekeeper is out at the moment.”

  A shrewd gaze made a quick assessment of the room before returning to study Sebastian’s bland expression with a hint of surprise.

  “You have no other staff?”

  “I am only recently arrived in London and not yet set in my plans. My stay in the city may only be passing.”

  “Ah.”

  It was difficult to determine if the man accepted his vague explanation, but Sebastian was little concerned. If the authorities considered him a suspect rather than William, so much the better.

  He planted his hands on his hips in an open display of impatience.

  “Now, you said that you search for a young gentleman. Has one gone missing?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” The runner cleared his throat. “Are you acquainted with Mr. Hadwell?”

  “Hadwell?” Sebastian took a moment, as if to consider the name. He was too wily to deny any knowledge at all. It would only convince the man that he had something to hide. “Ah yes. I believe he resides a short distance away with his sister.”

  Mr. Ryan gave a sharp nod. “Yes. I have a few questions I would like to ask him, but unfortunately he is not at home.”

  “I fear I have not seen him for some days.” Sebastian slowly pleated his brows. “Indeed, I believe I heard my housekeeper mention that Miss Hadwell intended to leave London to visit her parents.”

  “Ah,” Mr. Ryan murmured, his shrewd gaze never wavering from Sebastian’s countenance.

  “Is that all?”

  Mr. Ryan once again cleared his throat in a modest manner. “Actually, I do have a few questions, sir, if you will allow.”

  Sebastian smiled wryly. He knew quite well that it was a command rather than a request, no matter how cleverly worded.

  “Of course.”

  “First, I fear I must tell you that there has been another murder in the neighborhood.”

  Sebastian grimaced. He did not need to feign his regret.

  “How unfortunate,” he murmured. “Did it occur last evening?”

  “Yes, not far from here,” Mr. Ryan confirmed. “Could you tell me if you noticed anything was amiss?”

  As was his usual custom, Sebastian carefully pondered his answer. His first thought when Mr. Ryan had so inopportunely arrived had been to send him on his way with all swiftness. He was far too aware that one unfortunate noise from his hidden guests could ruin everything. A risk that was becoming ever greater as he sensed the presence of Amelia, who was even now hovering just outside the door.

  With an effort, however, he quelled his anxiety. What was needed now was cool logic. He would wring Miss Hadwell’s lovely neck later.

  He searched for some means of using Mr. Ryan’s presence to his own advantage.

  “Unfortunately, no. I was home most of the evening.”

  “You did not leave the house at all?” Mr. Ryan persisted.

  “Only once, though that was quite late.” Sebastian tilted his head as if attempting to recall the events of the previous evening. “Indeed, it must have been well past three. I awoke and was unable to return to sleep so I stepped out to have a smoke. My housekeeper is rather a tartar when it comes to a gentleman enjoying a cheroot, even in his own home.”

  Although the broad face did not react to the offhand words, there was no missing the sudden tension that tightened about the runner.

  “Yes, sir. Quite understandable.” He rubbed his chin absently. “Did you happen to notice anyone about?”

  “No, I . . .” Sebastian paused deliberately. “Well, I did happen to see Mr. Ramone pass by. He must have been in a hurry since he did not appear to hear me when I called out a greeting.”

  It was clumsily obvious, but thankfully Mr. Ryan did not appear suspicious. Instead, his eyes abruptly narrowed in concentration.

  “Mr. Ramone? You are certain he was the gentleman you saw?”

  Sebastian lifted his brows. “Of course. Even at a distance, his well-pa
mpered curls are unmistakable.”

  The runner struggled to repress a wry smile. “Quite right.”

  “I fear I did not notice anyone else about.”

  “Very good, sir.” Mr. Ryan subjected Sebastian to one last searching glance before offering an awkward bow. “I will trouble you no further.”

  Sebastian graciously escorted the man back into the foyer and opened the door. He was uncertain if he had managed to fool the runner completely, but he could at least be assured that the man’s entire attention would not be focused on William.

  Stepping onto the front porch, Mr. Ryan paused abruptly and glanced over his shoulder.

  “Oh, Mr. St. Ives.”

  “Yes?”

  “If you do come across young William, would you please send word to me at Bow Street?”

  He smiled easily. “You may be assured I will not forget.”

  The runner smiled thinly, perhaps well aware that Sebastian was not being nearly as forthcoming as he would desire. Still, there was little he could do without direct proof.

  “Good day, sir.”

  Turning, the man continued down the stairs and Sebastian firmly closed and locked the heavy door. Only then did he step toward the center of the foyer and cross his arms over his chest.

  “All right, Amelia. You may come out,” he commanded in exasperated tones. There was a long pause before she stepped slowly from behind a large urn. He heaved a long-suffering sigh. “I thought I told you to wait in the kitchen.”

  She had the grace to blush, although her eyes flashed with a stubborn fire.

  “I had to hear.”

  “And William?” he prompted.

  “He is busily washing the dishes. It is a chore he enjoys.”

  Sebastian was not at all reassured. The devil take her. What if William had dropped a plate? Or come in search of company?

  “It was a risk you should not have taken.”

  She could not have missed his stern expression and the hint of censure in his words, but astonishingly she moved brashly toward him, the enchanting dimples making a sudden appearance.

  “Thank you,” she said softly, not halting until she was standing far too close for his peace of mind.

  Sebastian struggled to contain his annoyance. Amelia might have ruined all with her impetuous behavior. But even as the thought went through his mind, he already knew it was a lost battle.

  How could he possibly remain immune to those dark eyes that shimmered with open admiration, or the sweet smile that made so much pleasure swirl through his body?

  He was a vampire, not a bloody saint.

  “Thank you for what?” he demanded absently, his mind far more consumed with the sheer muslin that revealed a great deal too much.

  “For confusing Mr. Ryan, of course.” Seemingly unaware of the sudden prickles of heat in the air, she placed her hands trustingly upon his chest. “You were . . . marvelous.”

  He did not intend to move, but somehow his hands found their way to her shoulders. Once there, it was only natural that they would sweep toward the plunging bodice of her nightrail. The warm satin of her skin was like a magnet.

  “Hardly marvelous,” he was forced to protest, his heart kicking as he felt a shiver race through her body. “I do not believe Mr. Ryan is entirely convinced that you and William have left London.”

  Her eyes darkened, her hands tentatively smoothing over the muscles of his chest.

  “Perhaps not, but now he must consider Mr. Ramone as a suspect,” she said, her hands audaciously lowered toward his tightly clenched stomach. “That was quite brilliant.”

  Sebastian caught his breath, his teeth gritting as her touch sent a violent surge of need through his body. Blessed Nefri. A few more moments and he might forget it was the middle of the morning and they were standing in the center of the open foyer.

  It would be so delightfully easy. A few tugs upon the muslin nightrail. A few steps toward the nearby rug. A few kisses. And then . . . paradise.

  So much for his notorious restraint, he acknowledged wryly. At the moment he would gladly exchange every book he had ever owned for a soft bed and several hours of delicious privacy with this maiden.

  Closing his eyes, he shifted to grasp her roaming hands. The sweet torture was more than any lusty vampire could bear.

  “Amelia,” he groaned in ragged tones. “You truly are a minx.”

  Her low chuckle did nothing to ease the aching tension that gripped his body.

  “Are you sorry that you were sent to protect me?”

  “No.” He lifted his lids to gaze deep into her eyes. “No, I am not sorry.”

  A stillness settled about her as she regarded him with a haunting glimpse of vulnerability.

  “Neither am I.”

  Amelia was on the library floor putting together a simple wooden puzzle with her fretful brother when Sebastian entered the room. Glancing up, she felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of him.

  Despite the fact that she had been sheltered beneath his roof for the past two days, she had rarely been allowed to catch sight of him. He claimed that he had been busy ensuring that the devious Mr. Ramone did not make any further attempts to approach her. Perhaps it was a genuine excuse. But she had a deep suspicion that he was deliberately avoiding her company.

  Now she found her gaze sweeping avidly over his body and lingering upon the chiseled features that plagued her dreams without mercy.

  Her breath caught. The horrifying knowledge that he was not even human should have made his faintly exotic beauty repelling rather than fascinating, and the honey-accented voice something to be feared.

  Unaccountably, however, Amelia could not gaze upon him and see a monster to be feared. Nor even a mere guardian who would protect her and then vanish as swiftly as he had arrived.

  He was, quite simply, the man who had charged into her lonely world and made her remember that she was a woman.

  In silence she watched his approach, sensing the strain that he was careful to keep hidden. She wished she had the power to ease his burdens. Unfortunately, he remained far too aloof for her to offer her comfort. All she could do at the moment was avoid adding to his concerns.

  A faint smile touched his lips as he watched William fiercely concentrating upon the puzzle piece in his tight clutch. Then he slowly turned to meet her searching gaze, the male features seeming to soften at her hint of concern.

  “Come.” He held out a slender hand. “I have brought you a surprise.”

  “A surprise?” Amelia readily placed her fingers in his and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. “What surprise?”

  Firmly tugging her arm through his own, Sebastian led her toward the open door.

  “Patience, my dear.”

  She grimaced at his mysterious manner, but in truth she did not mind. It was enough just to be allowed to spend a rare few moments in his company.

  Breathing deeply of his warm scent, Amelia shamelessly shifted closer to him as they moved through the hall and down the stairs. She had a dozen questions she wished to ask him, not the least of which was what the demonic Mr. Ramone intended to do next. But her lips remained closed. Her entire body was tingling with the wondrous sense of him. It was too pleasant to distract herself with distasteful thoughts of the treacherous vampire.

  In silence, they continued toward the back of the house, and then, pushing open the door to the kitchen, he waved her through.

  “What on earth are you up to?” she demanded as she stepped into the narrow room. Only then did she notice the slender woman standing next to the table. Rushing forward, she clutched the work-roughened fingers in her own. “Mrs. Benson,” she breathed in pleasure.

  “My dear.” The servant smiled, although there were tears in her eyes. “I have been so worried. How is William? Has he been eating properly? Does he have his favorite slippers?”

  Amelia chuckled at the flurry of questions. She suddenly realized just how much she had missed the hectic chatter and unwavering lo
ve that this woman offered.

  “He is quite well,” she assured the older woman. “He will be very pleased to see you. I fear I do not make his muffins in the manner that he prefers.”

  A flush of pleasure touched the wrinkled cheeks as she instinctively glanced about the kitchen with an experienced eye.

  “Well, I shall soon have him a batch in the oven.”

  “You will have ample time later,” Sebastian said, firmly interrupting the happy reunion. “First you will wish to settle in your rooms.”

  “Yes, indeed, that would be lovely,” Mrs. Benson was swift to agree.

  “There is a sitting room and bedchamber just off the pantry.”

  Sebastian moved to escort her out of the kitchen, only to be imperiously waved away.

  “No, no. I can find them. I shall have a bit of a rest and then see about those muffins. Oh, and there is dinner to consider. . . .”

  The housekeeper bustled toward the side door, her mumbles following her all the way to her chambers.

  Pressing her hands together, Amelia regarded Sebastian with a bright smile.

  “Thank you,” she said with all sincerity. “I am very relieved to have her with us. I was concerned she might be harmed.”

  “As was I.” He stepped closer, his hand rising to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. Almost absently, his fingers lingered, lightly stroking the sensitive line of her neck. “Unfortunately, your home is being closely watched by Mr. Ryan. I was forced to use a chimney sweep to get word to her that I desired a meeting. It would not have done for me to have been seen upon your doorstep.”

  Amelia moistened her suddenly dry lips. She wanted to concentrate upon his words. She was certainly interested in how he managed to whisk Mrs. Benson away from danger. Unfortunately, her mind possessed a will of its own. It seemed far more eager to dwell upon the dazzling enjoyment of his touch.

  “No, of course not,” she at last managed, hoping her expression did not reveal she was a breath away from swooning against him. “How did you manage to bring her here?”

  His own thoughts did not appear to be entirely upon their conversation as his gaze followed the distracting path of his fingers.