desired to follow and wrap her in his arms so he could assure her that nothing would happen to her as long as he was near. Another part, however, urged him to return to his home and attempt to regain a measure of detachment. Nothing could be served by allowing his suddenly awakened emotions to cloud his wits.
Waiting until he was certain she was safely inside her house, Sebastian slowly turned to make his way back down the lane. He had a great deal to consider. Not the least of which was how he intended to put an end to Drakeâs threat.
Lost in thought, Sebastian had just passed the abandoned stables when he came to a sudden halt. Although there was nothing to be heard or seen, his senses alerted him that he was no longer alone.
With a fluid stealth, he had slipped his hand beneath his coat to grasp the hilt of his deadly dagger. Only then did he step forward to confront the lurking intruder.
âWho goes there?â he demanded in low tones. âReveal yourself.â
There was a sudden rustle among the leaves of a nearby hedge before a large, awkward form abruptly lumbered into the lane clutching a black cat.
âMe. Me.â
Sebastianâs tension eased as he replaced the dagger back into his hidden pocket. His expression, however, remained hard with annoyance.
âWilliam.â His brows drew together in a threatening motion. âWhat the devil are you doing here?â
Obviously impervious to Sebastianâs dark temper, the young gentleman smiled with a sweet happiness.
âNice man.â
Sebastianâs frown only deepened. âYou do know that your sister believes you to be safely eating breakfast? She will be sick with worry when she discovers that you are missing once again.â
William merely pointed toward the hedge. âCats.â
âYes, I know about your damnable cats,â he growled. Although he possessed compassion for the young man, the knowledge that he was so willing to lure his sister into danger was enough to set his teeth on edge. He did not doubt for a moment that Miss Hadwell would soon be scouring the streets in search of her missing brother. âWhat am I to do with you?â
âMe?â William wrinkled his brow. âMe, William.â
âYou should be at home. Did you not promise your sister to remain there?â
A familiar stubborn expression settled on the round face. âCats.â
âBlessed Nefri.â Sebastian sucked in a deep breath. With an effort he calmed his rising temper. This man was a child at heart. He could not bully nor threaten him. All he could do was attempt to prevent him from leading his sister into disaster. âYou are obviously determined to be with those mangy kittens regardless of the danger to your sister.â
His smile returned. âMilly, nice.â
âMilly?â Sebastian was briefly caught off guard. âAh, Amelia. Yes, she is nice. Far too nice.â
âNice man.â
âYou are wide of the mark there, my boy,â Sebastian retorted in dry tones.
William frowned. âNo. Nice man.â
âBlast it all.â Giving a shake of his head, Sebastian surrendered to the inevitable. William was determined to be with his cats. There was only one certain means of ensuring that Miss Hadwell was not spending her nights in the dark and dangerous alley. âGet your blasted kittens.â
âCats?â
âYes. We will take them to my home. At least then you will not be roaming the lanes and your sister will not be placed in such danger.â
The frown disappeared as if by magic and the dark eyes abruptly glowed with pleasure.
âNice, nice man,â William chattered, hurriedly turning to pile the kittens in his large arms.
Sebastian suppressed a shiver. His aging housekeeper would no doubt desire his head upon a platter when she discovered his latest house guests, if she did not simply walk out. And his privacy would be in constant danger with