My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(29)

"Cats, cats, cats."

William was nearly bouncing up and down as the thin, rather dour-faced housekeeper shifted the large box from the counter and placed it upon the floor.

"Yes. Now sit down before you stomp 'em to bits," the woman muttered, although there was no missing the pleased glint in the pale blue eyes.

Standing on the far side of the kitchen, Amelia smiled. After a morning devoted to listening to William's disgruntled sighs and watching him wander through the house with restless frustration, she had realized she must do something to distract him.

The poor boy simply could not understand her insistence that he not visit the children in the stews, nor why he could not even stroll through the market. It was little wonder that he chafed at her restrictions.

At last, in desperation, she had made the bold decision to bring him to Sebastian's home to visit the kittens. She knew that was one certain way to distract him for at least an hour. And perhaps it would make him somewhat more content for the rest of the day.

And, of course, a tiny voice whispered in the back of her mind, she was not being entirely selfless. If she were being perfectly honest with herself this was precisely where she desired to be.

A renegade heat flared beneath her cheeks as she recalled her encounter with Sebastian in the garden.

It had been wicked. And dangerous. Far more dangerous than she ever could have suspected.

But it had also been the most glorious few moments in her life. And whether it made her a horrible person or not, she could not deny that she could not wait for an-other opportunity to taste passion once again.

She was perhaps shameless, and bold beyond reproach, but that did not keep her from imagining the feel of his hard arms and seeking lips. Oh yes, she was very anxious to flirt with the wicked peril once again.

Almost as if her siren's call had lured Sebastian through the large town house, Amelia felt the tingles that warned her of his approach. With little shame, she deliberately shifted until she was near the door. She had known he would come. That he would sense her presence as easily as she sensed his.

Quite prepared when he at last approached through the shadows, Amelia nevertheless found her breath being caught in her throat as her gaze skimmed over the silver gray coat and burgundy waistcoat. He wore high, glossy boots, and his thick hair was tied at the nape of his neck, as if he had been out riding. Then, compulsively, she was seeking the pale beauty of his countenance, searching for some reaction to her decidedly brash behavior.

What she discovered made her breath even more elusive. Halting directly at her side, he offered a slow, tantalizing smile.

"Amelia."

"Sebastian." A ridiculous bout of nerves had her unnecessarily smoothing the soft folds of her blue gown. "I hope you do not mind our intrusion. William was bored and demanding to be out of the house. I thought the kittens might prove to be an adequate distraction."

"I do not mind," he murmured, his silver gaze never straying from her face. "Would you care to join me in the library?"

"Well . . ." She reluctantly turned to regard her brother as he played with the kittens.

"My housekeeper will keep a careful watch on William," he softly assured her.

She hesitated another moment, knowing how her brother could fret if she were absent, but then noting his obvious distraction and the way the housekeeper hovered protectively at his side.

She slowly turned to offer Sebastian a smile.

"Very well."

Reaching out, Sebastian firmly placed her ban upon his arm and led her from the room. In silence they wound their way through the narrow halls in the servants' quarters and up the stairs that would take them to the front of the house.

Although vibrantly aware of the man at her side, Amelia could not help but note the decided lack of ornaments upon the paneled walls and occasional tables. And she would have to be blind not to see the heavy covers that continued to hide the chairs set in the alcoves.

A smile twitched at her lips. She wondered if Sebastian even took a moment to notice his surroundings.

"Why do you smile?" he demanded.

Tilting her face upward, Amelia met the amused gaze. "I was thinking that only a bachelor could bear to live among dust sheets and barren rooms."

"I will admit it does not trouble me as long as my library is in order."

She gave a teasing click of her tongue. "Surely a man needs more in his life than books?"

The silver eyes abruptly darkened. "I have not believed so for many years."

Something in that deep, accented voice made her heart make a sudden leap. "And now?"

His smile widened. "And now a pair of dimples has made me question my simple existence."

Amelia breathed deeply of his warm, spicy scent, not at all surprised when her head swirled.

This gentleman could make any poor, susceptible maiden a bit dizzy.

"Being distracted by dimples does not seem at all scholarly."

"No?" His gaze swept over her. "Well, there are all sorts of studies. Not all of them including dusty books."

She chuckled softly, her fingers tightening upon his arm. "There may be hope for you yet, Mr.

St. Ives."

"Perhaps there is, Miss Hadwell." Slowing his steps, he turned her into the large library. "Here we are."

Her gaze swept over the beautiful room, lingering on the highly polished tables and the obvious care given to the hundreds of leather bound books.