"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 jerk-ily 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 ponder-ing 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 Ten

Once in the foyer, Sebastian paused to smooth his for. 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 for-ward 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 -pampered 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.