My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(15)

She had only to enter his home, however, for him to realize that his lectures had been futile.

For whatever unfathomable reason, this woman managed to stir to life a heat and desire that had never plagued him before.

Seemingly unaware of the prickles of awareness that skittered through his body, Miss Hadwell at last met his probing gaze with a bewildered frown.

"Perhaps the witness was mistaken. Perhaps he saw the two of us together."

Sebastian grimaced. He already possessed his own suspicions of this supposed witness. It had the stench of Drake.

"I do not have dark hair," he pointed out in low tones. "And besides, I would have known if there were another near."

She lifted her slender hands. "Then perhaps William did see the woman before we arrived. He might even have spoken with her."

His expression hardened. "I do not believe William noticed anything beyond his beloved kittens. And there is still the true murderer who must be accounted for."

A visible shudder raced through her as he forced her to realize that it had been no simple mistake that had led the runner to her door.

"But why?" she whispered in an unsteady tone. "Why would the man lie?"

"He obviously desired to have William implicated in the murder."

The dark eyes were nearly black as she struggled to accept the truth. "Who? Who would do such a ghastly thing?"

"That I intend to discover, my dear," he said grimly.

"This is horrible." Without warning, she covered her face with her hands, as if battling the urge to cry. "Poor William."

Barely aware that he was moving, Sebastian had slipped from his chair to kneel beside her. He might rue her brash spirit and reckless bravery, but he realized that he could not bear to see it broken. His heart clenched in pain as he reached out to gently place an arm about her shoulders.

"Do not fear, Amelia," he said softly. "I will let nothing happen to you."

Her eyes slowly lifted to regard him with a haunted gaze. "I do not fear for myself."

His lips twisted in a wry manner. Of course she did not fear for herself. She would bravely storm the flames of the nether world. She would march onto the battlefields of Napoleon with her head high. She would no doubt face death itself without flinching.

Her only weakness was her brother.

A weakness that the treacherous Drake had clearly decided to use to his own advantage.

"No," he agreed as his fingers absently stroked the satin skin of her shoulder. "I realize you possess no concern for yourself."

She seemed taken aback by his words. "That is not true."

"When was the last occasion you simply did some-thing for your own pleasure?" he demanded in soft tones. "A walk in the park, reading a book, attending a party?"

"I find pleasure in seeing my brother secure and happy," she retorted defensively.

His fingers tingled as they traced aimless patterns upon her skin. "You, my dear, are a most unusual woman."

A reluctant hint of amusement glinted in the dark eyes. "Should I be insulted?"

"No, it is a most sincere compliment." He studied rhe delicate features, lingering a heartbeat upon the remptation of her mouth. "Although I will admit a grudging compliment."

She lifted her brows. "What do you mean?"

Sebastian knew that he should move to a less perilous position. Her distress had been controlled and the familiar unquenchable spirit was once again sparkling in her eyes. But his body refused to obey the commands of his common sense.

It was far too delightful to touch her in such an intimate manner.

"I am a gentleman who has devoted his life to the study of logic," he admitted dryly. "I am unaccustomed to being ... distracted by young maidens."

He heard her breath catch as her eyes widened in surprise. "You find me distracting?"

"Dangerously so."

She regarded him closely, as if seeking some truth there. "Are you just saying this to try and charm me?"

Sebastian gave a low chuckle, his hand moving to cherish the delicate lines of her face.

"If I desired simply to charm you, I would tell you that your eyes possess the dark velvet beauty of a midnight sky." His fingers brushed over her mouth. "Or that your lips are so lush and full that they entice a gentleman beyond bearing."

He felt a shiver race through her. A shiver that was echoed within himself. Then she gave a breathy laugh.

"I was mistaken."

"Mistaken?"

"You are far more proficient at flirtation than I suspected," she murmured.

His lips twisted with rueful humor. "No, you were quite correct, my dear. As I said, I am a simple scholar and not at all prepared for the likes of you."

A sudden heat filled her cheeks as she gazed at him through the tangle of her long, black lashes.

"Do you mind?"

Finding it absurdly difficult to concentrate upon her words, Sebastian leaned even closer to the damnable temptation of her lips.

"Mind what?"

"Being distracted," she whispered.

"Yes." His mouth hovered a mere breath from her own. "Unfortunately, there appears to be little I can do."

"Oh."

A heartbeat passed as Sebastian trembled on the edge of blissful madness. One move, a mere tilt of his head, and he could explore the sweetness that beckoned him.