the aristocratic features and refined manners, there was something about this gentleman she did not trust.
âI fear that I did not hear you approach.â
He deliberately lifted his brows. âYou appeared quite involved with the hedge. Have you perhaps lost something of value?â
âMy brotherâs cat,â she reluctantly confessed.
âAh. Allow me.â 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 Ameliaâs arms. âThere we are.â
Attempting to calm the cat that continued to hiss in anger at the stranger, she forced a measure of gratitude to her countenance.
âYou must forgive this ungrateful wretch. He is a stray who has never learned a modicum of good manners.â
That cold smile widened to reveal large, white teeth. âI, on the other hand, have always possessed the most exquisite manners. Allow me to introduce myself. Mr. Ramone, at your service.â
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 Williamâs pet.
âA . . . pleasure.â
Mr. Ramone regarded her with a razor-sharp gaze. âAnd you, of course, must be Miss Hadwell.â
Amelia sucked in a sharp breath. How could this stranger possibly know her name?
âHave we met before?â
âNo, 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.â
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.
âYou live near?â she forced herself to inquire.
He waved a thin, pale hand toward the house behind the hedge. âOnly a few steps away.â
âI see.â
Almost as if sensing her odd revulsion, his thin lips twitched. âI have been seeking an opportunity for an introduction, but you have proved to be remarkably evasive.â
She covertly shifted even further from the looming gentleman. If it were up to her, she would be even more evasive in the future.
âI live very quietly.â
âYes, I know.â He deliberately glanced toward her darkened home. âWith your brother William, is it not? A charming young gentleman.â
âYou know my brother?â she demanded in surprise.
âWe have occasionally crossed paths.â His gaze abruptly returned to her, dark eyes glittering in the moonlight. âThere are, of course, those in the neighborhood who warn that he is dangerous, but I pay little heed to such nonsense.â
She stiffened in outrage at his offhand words. âMy brother is not dangerous.â
âCertainly not.â The thin fingers touched the golden curls, as if to ensure they were still in perfect order. âAs I said, I find him to be quite charming. Unfortunately, there are always those who delight in believing the worst of others.â
âThey are fools,â she said between clenched teeth.
âPerhaps.â He gave a smooth shrug. âStill, I do feel it incumbent upon me to warn you that there have been a few rather unfortunate rumors.â
Although she had already suspected that gossip would be flying about the neighborhood, Amelia discovered her stomach heaving with queasiness.
âWhat rumors?â
âThat poor William was somehow involved in the death of that woman.â
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.
âIt is not true.â
âI did not
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