Trouble and Treasure (#1, Trouble and Treasure Series)

  Chapter Seven

  Amanda Stanton

  Elizabeth followed Sebastian out of the room, allowing me to change in peace.

  I looked at the clothes as I bit my lip. This was all so surreal.

  I dressed in a hurry, flinging my pajamas in a pile by the washing machine. Sebastian might have been a lot of things, but I doubted he was lying about how much trouble I was in. Just as I doubted he was lying about how dangerous this was for Elizabeth.

  Once I pulled on the tights and shrugged into the jacket, I sashayed over to the mirror at the other side of the room and had a good look at my reflection. Despite the fact my hair was an amazing mess, I looked pretty good.

  I leaned down and picked up the sweet shoes Elizabeth had left for me. They were pale brown with large brass buckles and a small heel. They matched the outfit perfectly. All I would need was a nice flowing white silk scarf and some ladylike leather gloves and I would belong in an adventure novel from the turn of last century.

  For the first time since I’d trundled down my stairs last night to find criminals in my house, I gave a genuine smile and a small laugh. I would have to enjoy it while it lasted, as I would soon be thrust into the company of one monumentally irritating Sebastian Shaw.

  When I was satisfied with my reflection, brushing a hand down the nicely fitted jacket, I walked out of the laundry.

  When Sebastian saw me, it was clear he found my outfit amusing as he half turned away trying to hide the smile that spread across his lips.

  What an insufferable git. I ignored him as I walked past, both hands tugging down firmly on my jacket.

  When Elizabeth saw me she clapped her hands together, a warm smile pressing up her cheeks. “Oh, Amanda, you look fabulous.”

  “Something like that,” Sebastian mumbled, “But we need to go.”

  “Oh,” Elizabeth was visibly disappointed, “Isn’t there time for me to make you some snacks for the road?”

  “No time.” Sebastian put his hand flat on my shoulder and pushed me forward.

  If the man wasn’t carrying a gun and wasn’t such a large brute, I would have pushed him off and kicked him in the shins.

  We walked to the door, and the closer we came the more the situation began to feel real again. A cold, tight pressure spread across my chest, and that familiar taste of raw fear infected my mouth.

  Elizabeth gave me a hug before she opened the door. “You will be alright, dear,” she assured me, “Sebastian is an excellent lawyer.”

  I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Sebastian’s legal skills aside, it sounded as if I would need an entire army on my side if I wanted to win this.

  “Do you have a hat, Elizabeth?” Sebastian couldn’t keep his eyes off my unkempt hair. Perhaps he was a neat freak, or perhaps he liked his women to be of the excessively clean and primped variety. “Something with a big brim?”

  Elizabeth clicked her fingers together. “I have just the thing.” She darted off down the corridor, disappearing for a while. In those few moments, Sebastian took the time to look at me, his eyes traveling down and up my figure. I wanted to slap him.

  Perhaps I would be better off with Maratova.

  Elizabeth rushed back, a hat clutched in her old hands. It was white with a large wide brim and had a wide silk ribbon tied around the middle. It was exceptionally pretty.

  “That will do.” Sebastian hardly gave the hat a glance as Elizabeth handed it to me.

  Once I secured all of my hair under the hat, I waved goodbye to Elizabeth.

  I turned to follow Sebastian.