“You, of course,” Garrick said.
“I am delighted to hear it.” Sebastian smiled at Prudence. “Come with me, my dear. We shall find ourselves something to eat at the buffet.”
“I already had something to eat,” Prudence said.
Sebastian took her arm. “Did you? Well, then, you may come along and watch me eat lobster canapés. I want to talk to you.”
“Oh, I see.” Prudence smiled. “As it happens, I am anxious to have a chat with you, also, my lord.”
“Excellent.” Sebastian inclined his head toward Garrick. “You will excuse us?”
“Of course.” Garrick winked at Prudence. “The best of luck to you, Miss Merryweather.”
Prudence frowned at him over her shoulder as Sebastian led her through the crowd.
“What was that all about?” Sebastian asked without any sign of concern.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing at all?”
“A small, uh, domestic matter.”
“Ah.” Sebastian nodded at an acquaintance. “A family matter, then?”
“Well, yes, in a way.”
“Whose family?” Sebastian asked evenly. “Yours or mine?”
“My lord, this is hardly the time to talk about it.”
“Mine, then,” he said. “I collect it must be about the scene my aunt conducted a few minutes before I arrived.”
Prudence glowered at him as he drew her to a halt near a table full of hors d’oeuvres. “You already know about it?”
“My dear, you must understand that there will never be any lack of people anxious to keep me informed about such matters.”
“No, I suppose not.” Prudence slanted him a speculative glance. “You aren’t going to do anything overly dramatic, are you? It was all extremely unimportant.”
Sebastian surveyed the canapés. He finally selected one that was topped with an oyster. “You need not concern yourself, my dear. I will handle things.”
Prudence did not, trust the coldness in his eyes. “Sir, I must insist that you do not attempt to punish or humiliate your aunt in any way because of the conversation she and I had. She was very overset at the time.”
“No doubt.” Sebastian bit into the oyster.
“She has only recently learned of our engagement,” Prudence explained. “The news has taken her somewhat by surprise.”
“You mean it has alarmed her greatly.” Sebastian picked up another canapé. “She is afraid I might actually produce an heir which would make it even more unlikely that her son will ever assume the title.”
“I believe,” Prudence said meaningfully, “that Mrs. Fleetwood is genuinely concerned about the good name of the family and the reputation attached to the title.”
“She is certainly concerned about it, I’ll grant you that.”
“Not without some reason, perhaps,” Prudence said grimly.
Sebastian stopped munching and swallowed. “What are you implying, Prue?”
“Merely that you have not gone out of your way to reassure her that the title is in safe hands.”
“I would not go out of my way to assist my aunt across the street, let alone reassure her that I’ll keep the title unblemished.” Sebastian took Prudence’s arm again and steered her toward the open French doors. “Enough of this nonsense, Prue. I have more important things to discuss.”
Prudence looked up at him as he guided her out into the gardens. “My lord, I am not going to allow you to finish with this topic until I have your word that you will not retaliate against your aunt for what she said this evening.”
“I have grown quite bored with that subject.”
“That is too bad, sir, because I have not yet done with it.”
Sebastian stopped beside a fountain and turned her toward him. “Damnation, Prue, why do you care what I do to Drucilla Fleetwood? She deserves to pay for insulting you and she will do so. That is the end of it.”
“The insult was to me, not to you. I choose not to retaliate and I will not allow you to do so on my behalf. Do you comprehend me, my lord?”
“Any insult to you is an insult to me,” he said softly.
“Sebastian, I mean it, I will not have you going about getting even for the most trifling slight.” Prudence touched his face gently with her gloved fingertips. “You are the head of the family and you must act the part. If you choose to take vengeance against your poor aunt, you will only widen the rift that already exists between yourself and the rest of the Fleetwoods.”
“Bloody hell, Prue—”
“Your title obligates you to be generous toward the members of your family. You owe them protection.” Prudence smiled warmly. “But I’m certain you don’t need me to tell you that. You are perfectly well aware of your duties and responsibilities to your family and I know you will act accordingly.”
Sebastian eyed her grimly. “The last time you lectured me on my responsibilities, you made a bargain with me. When you tried to fulfill it, you wound up getting yourself engaged to me. What do I get this time if I decide to indulge myself in a fit of mature, responsible behavior?”
Prudence concentrated on adjusting her spectacles. “Really, Sebastian, there is no need to tease me about this. I am well aware that things did not turn out as planned last time.”
“I assure you, Prue, I am bloody well not teasing.”
She looked up at him warily. “You’re not? You actually expect me to reward you for behaving as befits your rank?”
“Your notion of what befits my rank,” he corrected smoothly. “And yes, I think it only fair I get something for my effort, don’t you?”
She could not tell if he was serious, but she had the unpleasant suspicion that he was. As far as Sebastian was concerned, she had once again deprived him of his rightful prey. She sighed. “What sort of reward did you have in mind, sir?”
“I’ll give the matter some thought and let you know.” Sebastian’s hand closed around her shoulders. He pulled her close, bent his head, and gave her a quick, hard, possessive kiss. When he raised his mouth from hers, his expression was one of brooding intensity. “I imagine I’ll think of something that will compensate me.”
Prudence shivered beneath the dark sensuality in his words. Two nights ago she had learned the meaning of passion and she knew she would forever associate the lesson with Sebastian. Now he was telling her without any subtlety that there would be more lessons. She did not know whether to be alarmed or overjoyed.
She was still confused by the emotions that had raged through her when Sebastian had touched her that night with such startling intimacy. She knew that with every passing day of this false engagement she was falling deeper in thrall to the Fallen Angel.
Her common sense warned her that it would be exceedingly dangerous to allow Sebastian to make love to her any more thoroughly than he already had. But Prudence was not at all certain she had the fortitude to stop him.
“You are being deliberately difficult, my lord,” she accused.
“Yes, I know, but it amuses me.” Sebastian rested one booted foot on the edge of the fountain and smiled. “Now, then, I have something far more interesting to discuss with you, my dear.”
“What is that?”
“My Bow Street Runner acquaintance has brought me a rather intriguing case that requires investigation. I thought you might like to hear about it.”
Prudence instantly forgot how annoyed she was with him. “Sebastian, how wonderful. Tell me all about it. I shall so enjoy assisting you.”
“I am not asking for your assistance,” he said carefully. “But I thought you might enjoy the opportunity of observing my methods.”
“How am I to do that?” she demanded. She had absolutely no intention of being relegated to the role of observer, but she would explain that to him later.
“The curious death I am to investigate took place a few days ago at Curling Castle. You may have heard about it?”
Prudence frowned. “A man named Ringcross fell from a high
window and broke his neck, I believe. He was said to have been quite drunk at the time and his death was presumed to be an unfortunate accident.”
“Someone, namely Lord Curling, is not so certain, apparently.”
“He has hired a Runner to look into the matter?”
“In strictest confidence. No one, including Curling, must know that I am to do the actual investigation. As far as he is concerned, Whistlecroft is making the inquiries.”
“Yes, of course. I comprehend you wish to keep your hobby a secret. Perfectly understandable, given your position. Also, you would not be nearly so effective in your work if everyone knew what you were about, would you?”
“No.”
“Sebastian, this is fascinating. What are we going to do first? I am so eager to learn your techniques and methods.”
He gave her a look that might have been described as smug. “First, we shall visit the scene of Ringcross’s death.”
“A sensible notion.” Prudence absently tapped her closed fan against her gloved palm. “That means we shall have to go to Curling Castle. How are we to do that without letting anyone know our goal, my lord?”
“Rather easily, as it happens. As usual, I have received yet another invitation to one of Curling’s weekend house parties. This time I shall accept on the understanding that you will also be invited.”
“Excellent. But will no one think it odd that I have suddenly been asked to one of Lord Curling’s parties? I have certainly not been on his guest list previously.”
“No one will think it at all odd.” Sebastian was clearly amused at her naïveté. “Not when they realize that I have accepted an invitation as well. Indeed, they would find it strange if you were not at Curling Castle, too.”
Prudence tipped her head to one side and studied him closely. “Am I missing something here, sir?”
Sebastian drew her closer so that her skirts brushed against his leg. “I take it you have not been to many ton nish house parties, my dear.”
“No,” she admitted. “Why?”
“I think you will comprehend the appeal of a large country house party once you have attended one.”
Prudence could feel the muscular strength of his thigh. He still had his boot braced against the fountain so she was pressed lightly against the inside of his leg. The intimate position in which she found herself sent a thrill through her.
“I believe various games and pastimes are enjoyed by the guests at such parties,” she said quickly in an attempt to sound knowledgeable on the subject of house parties.
“They certainly are. And the most interesting games and pastimes are played late at night when everyone has retired for the evening.”
“I don’t understand.”
Sebastian’s mouth curved slightly. “A large country house party provides almost unlimited opportunity for dalliances and liaisons of a romantic nature, my sweet.”
Prudence widened her eyes. “Oh.”
“In a large house such as Curling Castle there are literally dozens of bedrooms. And they are all conveniently situated quite close to each other.”
Prudence felt herself turning very warm. “Good heavens. I had not thought of that aspect.”
“Conducting an affair takes planning and care here in Town,” Sebastian said. “But at a large house party such as the sort Curling gives, one has only to go across the hall to rendezvous with one’s lover or”—he smiled—“one’s fiancée.”
Prudence lifted her chin and gave him a severe look. “I expect Lady Pembroke will insist on accompanying me.”
“I expect she will.” Sebastian was clearly not worried by the prospect of Prudence having a chaperone along. “My man of affairs will secure an invitation for her, too.”
Eight
ebastian put down his cue and glanced at the handful of other players gathered around Lord Curling’s billiard table. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I believe I have had enough of this game for today.”
“Come, now,” one of the other guests protested, “you must give us a chance to win back a bit of the blunt you have lifted from us this afternoon, Angelstone.”
“You don’t seem to comprehend, Dodwell,” Sebastian said. “I am bored with the play.”
“Let him go,” another man advised from the other side of the green baize table. “I expect Angelstone has more interesting entertainment in mind.”
The men gathered around the table chuckled and exchanged knowing glances.
“Don’t we all,” one grumbled good-naturedly. “Unfortunately, it is a bit early in the day yet.”
One of the players looked at Sebastian. “If you are anxious to see what your fiancée is up to at the moment, check the east gardens. I believe you will find her in the process of winning the ladies’ archery contest.”
“No doubt.” Sebastian started toward the door of Curling’s vast library. “She has already taken the honors in all the rest of the games that were arranged for the ladies today.”
While Sebastian had spent the day with the other gentlemen who had been invited to Curling Castle, Prudence had been busily sampling the pleasures of a country house party with the ladies. In typical Prudence fashion, she had thrown herself wholeheartedly into the entertainments.
At noon, just as he was returning from a fishing expedition with the men, word reached Sebastian that Prudence had been first through the elaborate maze. At two o’clock, while he was touring his host’s stables, he heard that the ladies had returned from their walk to the old Norman ruins. Prudence had apparently led the group in both directions and had done a detailed sketch of the view.
This afternoon she had won all the contests held on the wide sweep of lawn that fronted the castle and had signed up to participate in the amateur theatrics after dinner that evening.
Sebastian looked forward to watching her performance as an actress. He smiled, thinking of his mother.
He had a hunch that Prudence and his mother would have taken to each other on sight. They were both women of intelligence, passion, and integrity. His father had once told him that such women were rare and if a man was fortunate enough to find and keep one, no price was too high to pay.
Sebastian examined his surroundings as he made his way through the long hall to the terrace. Curling Castle was a cavernous pile of old stone that rose three stories above the land around it. It had been built during the previous century by a wealthy but rather eccentric merchant who had been determined to elevate himself to the level of a gentleman. In the attempt to achieve that goal, he had poured a fortune into his estate.
The result had been a monstrosity of a house. The hallways appeared endless. Curling had admitted at breakfast that he wasn’t certain how many rooms the house contained. He had added that the top floor and the tower rooms were never used at all, even when the house was full, as it was that weekend.
That bit of information had intrigued Sebastian. According to all accounts, Ringcross had fallen from a tower room. Sebastian wondered what he had been doing in an unused portion of the house.
Tonight he and Prudence would do some investigating, he thought as he strolled out onto the terrace. Prudence would enjoy that enormously.
He saw the ladies lined up in front of the archery targets that had been placed in the east gardens. Each held a dainty bow and a tiny arrow that probably would not have felled a mouse at point-blank range.
There was a great deal of laughter from the contestants and good-natured cheering from the audience. Sebastian studied the crowd closely. He frowned when he saw that Underbrink was in the group.
Underbrink was evidently a new arrival. He certainly had not been around last night or this morning. Sebastian noted that there was no sign of Underbrink’s ever-vigilant wife.
As Sebastian watched, Underbrink sauntered over to Prudence and apparently offered to help her with her bow. Prudence shook her head quite firmly. Underbrink shrugged and walked back to join the crowd.
Lady Pembroke also stood amid the on
lookers. She glanced up, saw Sebastian on the terrace, and waved a violet hankie that matched her gown. Then she turned back to watch Prudence take her shot.
Prudence was last in line. She was the only contestant who was not giggling or coyly asking one of the gentlemen to show her how to cock the arrow. Her spectacles sparkled in the sunlight as she concentrated intently on the target. The seriousness of her expression made Sebastian smile.
The day was cloudy. A crisp breeze caused the skirts of Prudence’s dull bronze afternoon dress to ripple enticingly about her legs. Sebastian admired her trim little ankles for a full minute before he became aware of the fact that he was not the only male doing so. He glanced to the side and saw that his host had come out of the house to join him.
“I must congratulate you, Angelstone. She’s an oddly attractive little thing. Not at all in the usual style.” Lord Curling’s pale blue eyes were fixed on Prudence. “I’d heard your fiancée was an Original. But then, from all accounts that is the only sort of woman who would be likely to appeal to you. Is it true she investigates ghosts?”
Sebastian slanted Curling an assessing glance. In truth, the baron was probably no better or worse than most of the other gentlemen of the ton.
Sebastian knew there were many who would say his own reputation left more to be desired than did Curling’s. The legitimacy of Curling’s birth, for example, had never been questioned.
Sebastian had made a few inquiries before leaving London but had turned up little more than he already knew about Curling. In spite of his tendency toward lavish entertaining here at Curling Castle, there were no particularly unpleasant rumors about the man. No one had ever accused him of cheating at cards, for example. He had not fought any duels. There was no indication that he favored the same sort of brothels that Ringcross had.
But Sebastian could not bring himself to actually like the man. Studying him now, he thought he knew why. There was cold, sexual interest in Curling’s eyes as he watched Prudence. Sebastian knew that if it weren’t for the fact that he was committed to spending the weekend investigating Ring-cross’s death, he would have been tempted to take Prudence back to Town immediately.