"I fear that I did not hear you approach."

He deliberately lifted his brows. "You appeared quite involved with the hedge. Have you perhaps lost something of value?"

"My brother's cat," she reluctantly confessed.

"Ah. Allow me." Before Amelia could protest, the man had reached into the hedge and, with disgustingly little effort, plucked the renegade cat through the branches. He even managed to ignore the spitting and hissing as he placed the stray into Amelia's arms. "There we are."

Attempting to calm the cat that continued to hiss in anger at the stranger, she forced a measure of gratitude to her countenance.

"You must forgive this ungrateful wretch. He is a stray who has never learned a modicum of good manners."

That cold smile widened to reveal large, white teeth. "I, on the other hand, have always possessed the most exquisite manners. Allow me to introduce myself. Mr. Ramone, at your service."

He performed a half bow and Amelia forced herself to ignore the urge to flee to the safety of her house. He had, after all, saved William's pet.

"A... pleasure."

Mr. Ramone regarded her with a razor-sharp gaze. "And you, of course, must be Miss Hadwell."

Amelia sucked in a sharp breath. How could this stranger possibly know her name?

"Have we met before?"

"No, but the agent pointed you out when he first showed me the town house I have rented for the season. I believe he presumed that I would view the neighborhood more favorably if I realized such a beautiful maiden was near. He was quite correct."

She clutched the cat tighter, not at all fond of the thought that this man might have been watching her when she was unaware.

There was something ... wrong about him.

"You live near?" she forced herself to inquire.

He waved a thin, pale hand toward the house behind the hedge. "Only a few steps away."

"I see."

Almost as if sensing her odd revulsion, his thin lips twitched. "I have been seeking an opportunity for an introduction, but you have proved to be remarkably evasive."

She covertly shifted even further from the looming gentleman. If it were up to her, she would be even more evasive in the future.

"I live very quietly."

"Yes, I know." He deliberately glanced toward her darkened home. "With your brother William, is it not? A charming young gentleman."

"You know my brother?" she demanded in surprise.

"We have occasionally crossed paths." His gaze abruptly returned to her, dark eyes glittering in the moonlight. "There are, of course, those in the neighborhood who warn that he is dangerous, but I pay little heed to such nonsense."

She stiffened in outrage at his offhand words. "My brother is not dangerous."

"Certainly not." The thin fingers touched the golden curls, as if to ensure they were still in perfect order. "As I said, I find him to be quite charming. Unfortunately, there are always those who delight in believing the worst of others."

"They are fools," she said between clenched teeth.

"Perhaps." He gave a smooth shrug. "Still, I do feel it incumbent upon me to warn you that there have been a few rather unfortunate rumors."

Although she had already suspected that gossip would be flying about the neighborhood, Amelia discovered her stomach heaving with queasiness.

"What rumors?"

"That poor William was somehow involved in the death of that woman."

Her breath caught. It was all so utterly unfair, she seethed grimly. William was the very last person who would harm another. Those who did not truly know him had no right to make such ghastly judgments.

"It is not true."

"I did not believe so for a moment." Mr. Ramone pressed a hand to his heart, as if to show his sincerity, but once again she was aware of the cold hardness of his gaze. "Indeed, I have done my best to put a firm halt to such unpleasant speculations."

"I... thank you," she forced herself to mutter.

He took a step closer, ignoring the cat, which continued to hiss at him in warning. Just for a moment, that remorseless gaze seemed to flick down to the amulet that hung about her neck, but it lifted so quickly it was impossible to be certain.

"However, it does not improve matters to have a Bow Street runner asking questions about your brother. It encourages others to consider him guilty, whether he is or not."

Amelia's lips thinned. Did he think she was ignorant? Of course she realized Mr. Ryan's blatant interest in William was bound to cause trouble. Unfortunately, she had yet to be put in charge of Bow Street.

"There is little I can do to stop Mr. Ryan from asking questions," she retorted with a decided snap.

The carved features hardened briefly in a dangerous fashion before he was visibly sheathing his emotions behind a mask of seeming compassion.

A compassion that made her as uneasy as any display of anger.

"I did not mean to upset you, Miss Hadwell," he said in oily-smooth tones. "I only speak of William's troubles out of concern. I wish you to know that if you ever have need, you may depend upon me."

"That is very kind, but unnecessary, I assure you."

That cruel hardness returned to his expression at her firm words. His smile, however, never faltered.

"Without modesty, I assure you that I can offer you whatever protection you need."

The chill in the air deepened abruptly and Amelia unconsciously licked her dry lips. She wanted to be away from this man, she suddenly realized. As far away as possible.

"I must return home."

The false smile disappeared abruptly. Amelia tensed, not at all certain the man would willingly allow her to simply walk away. His gaze once again strayed toward the amulet that glowed softly in the moonlight. He stiffly offered her a bow.

"Of course. It is very late." He straightened, the thin face appearing almost skeleton-like in the shadows. "You will recall my offer, I trust?"

"Yes."

Dipping a hurried curtsy, Amelia turned away, more relieved than she cared to admit at the thought of being away from Mr. Ramone. But even as she was nearing the safety of her home, Amelia suddenly halted.

There was a smell in the air. Cold steel, and something rather foul. A frown pulled at her brows. What was that odor? And why did she sense that she had smelled it before?

Oddly, it seemed vitally important that she remember.

"Is something the matter?"

Amelia jumped as she realized she was foolishly lingering in the dark street when she should be hurrying home with all speed.

"No. Good night."

Not allowing herself the opportunity to be distracted again, Amelia hurriedly crossed the street and entered the blessed familiarity of her garden.

Sebastian had been right, she admitted ruefully.

She had been a fool to roam the streets at this hour. Even if it had been to ensure the safety of William. Only sheer luck had kept her from being harmed.

A luck that was destined to fail her eventually.

Chapter Five

Sebastian knew the moment Amelia left the protection of her home. Just for a moment, he froze in disbelief; then, tossing aside the large book he had been futilely attempting to study, he swept across the library and down the stairs.

Bloody hell. He would throttle her, he silently cursed as he charged through the house and out the back door. Although she had boldly claimed she would go in search of the killer who stalked the streets, he had not thought she would be so foolish. Well, at least not foolish enough to begin any such search during the middle of the night, he swiftly amended.

Now, because of her stubborn courage, she was alone and vulnerable. He had to reach her before she could be harmed.

Then he would throttle her.

Entering the garden, Sebastian never paused as he slipped toward the dark lane. Without being fully bonded with Amelia, he could only sense that she was somewhere ahead of him, but he knew that the closer he came to her the easier it would be to locate her.

Despite his attention being sharply focused upon Amelia, Sebastian did not miss the faint prickle that raced over his skin.

Halting his steps, he carefully considered his surroundings. There was a vampire near. Very near. And oddly able to mask his identity.

His expression hardened with determination. He did not know who the mysterious vampire was, but he was certain that it posed a danger to Amelia. He would have to deal with the threat before he could return the maiden to her home.

Cautiously angling across the lane, Sebastian allowed his senses to lead him toward the derelict stables. There was no noise, no indication that there was anyone near, but he did not hesitate. Entering the darker shadows of the stables, he stepped over a fallen beam and glanced about the empty stalls and overhead loft.

For a moment there was nothing to see. Nothing beyond dust and cobwebs. Then, just when he was beginning to wonder if he had been mistaken, a faint fog began to form in a distant corner.

More out of instinct than actual fear, Sebastian reached beneath his coat to remove the dagger.

He would prefer to avoid a fight if possible. Violence was abhorrent to him, and violence toward a brother was nearly unthinkable. But, he would not allow Amelia to be harmed. Whatever it might take.