Dangerous by Amanda Quick Page B

nightclothes, my dear.” Sebastian surveyed the plain woolen gown and muslin cap that Prudence was wearing. “I should have expected that your choice in such garments would be spectacularly original.”
    “What on earth do you think you’re doing, sir?” Prudence slowly lowered the pistol. The moonlight streaming through the window glinted on her spectacles and revealed her strained expression. “You gave me a terrible start. I might have shot you.”
    “It was a near thing, was it not? My life does seem to be filled with adventure these days. First Thornbridge tries to shoot me and then my fiancée takes aim at my vitals. I am not certain how many of these encounters my nerves can tolerate.”
    She gave him an annoyed look. “I asked you a question, my lord.”
    “So you did.” Sebastian glanced around the shadowed bedroom, taking in the dark, heavy furnishings and the massive bed. “The answer is that I came here tonight in order to give you the benefit of my expertise.”
    “And what is that supposed to mean, pray tell?”
    He smiled slightly at the suspicious tone of her voice.“Isn’t it obvious?” He swung his greatcoat off his shoulders and tossed it over a chair. He was wearing only his shirt and breeches beneath it. He had decided a coat and cravat were not called for on such an occasion. “I’m here to help you investigate your newest case of spectral phenomena.”
    “I do not require your assistance, my lord. I thought we agreed this afternoon that we would not work together on our cases.”
    “As to that,” Sebastian said easily, “I’ve reconsidered the matter.”
    “You have?” The pale light illuminated the hopeful look on her expressive face. “That is wonderful news.”
    “It’s not as if I had a great deal of choice in the matter,” Sebastian muttered under his breath.
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “Never mind.” There would be time enough at some later date to explain precisely how their new partnership would work.
    It was very simple, really. Sebastian fully intended to supervise Prudence’s more adventurous investigations, but he had no intention of letting her risk her neck helping him with his own cases.
    Prudence put the pistol on the end table. “How did you find me in this particular bedchamber?”
    Sebastian shrugged. “I watched for the last light to be extinguished in this wing.”
    “Very clever of you.” Prudence went to the window and looked down into the gardens. “Good heavens, it is a sheer drop. However did you climb up the wall?”
    “I didn’t. I entered the house through the kitchens and climbed the stairs to this floor. Then I opened a window in an empty room and discovered that very convenient ledge outside. It led me straight to this bedchamber.”
    “An excellent approach to the problem, my lord.”
    “It was nothing, really. A matter of simple logic and reason,” Sebastian said modestly.
    “Yes, of course, but I doubt that many people would have thought of that approach.”
    “Possibly not,” he admitted, gratified by her admiration.
    It occurred to Sebastian that although he had not given a damn about anyone’s opinion since his parents and brother had died, lately he found himself increasingly hungry for Prudence’s approval.
    She was the only female he knew who was capable of appreciating his peculiar talents and interests. He wondered if she had any notion of how badly he wanted to bed her.
    He watched her standing at the window and contemplated the possibility that he was going slightly mad. No woman had ever had such an effect on him. When he was with her the icy barrier inside him seemed much smaller and farther away. He could almost forget it and the emptiness that it concealed.
    At that moment Prudence turned her head to look at him. The weak moonlight fell across her features, revealing her glowing smile. Desire swept through Sebastian in a great wave, leaving him shaken.
    It had become painfully clear during the past few days