“Detective?” Sebastian asked, brows raised.
“He’s an investigator,” she clarified while thedetectivestretched forth his hand.
“Ah!” Sebastian declared. “How very interesting, Detective.” He accepted the lawman’s handshake and felt the strength in the stranger’s arm. “Are you investigating anything or anyone in particular?”
“No, not in particular. Why? Do you have some suggestions?”
Sebastian shook his head. Pendridge was emotionless. Unreadable. What lit the fire? He would find out. “You shot Lord Sutton in the leg.”
“That’s right.”
“May I ask what prompted such a reaction?”
The detective looked between him and Charlotte.
Ah, so it was Charlotte who lit the fire. Preston was competition.
“I don’t like having a gun waved at me.”
Sebastian chuckled. It was a good enough answer. Besides, he didn’t think the detective would answer anything more.
“I’m having a party Saturday night,” Sebastian said to him. “Do come to my home in Surry for supper and stay the night. My other guests would love to meet you.”
“Who are your other guests?” the detective asked. Odd, his gaze had a way of pinning Sebastian to his spot.
“Oh, some barons, some viscounts—”
“The detective is otherwise engaged Saturday night,” Charlotte interrupted, piquing his curiosity. “He cannot go.”
“Doing what?” Sebastian asked, wondering how much he could get out of them.
“Keeping Lady Charlotte safe,” the detective announced, his dark gaze on her. “I cannot go, so neither can she.”
“I see,” Sebastian allowed. “Are these the wishes of her father?”
“They are,” the lawman answered, switching his gaze back to him.
They both had to be jesting. Charlotte seemed perfectly fine with it all, which was a first for her. She was never fine with anything her father wanted, mainly because he wanted it. Was Detective Pendridge holding her against her will? Wasn’t that what deVille thought when he shot at him? Why did they seem so close, so quickly? He wondered what Preston would think of this. If he told him.
“Detective?” he asked, taking a seat and holding out his hand, waiting for a servant to fill it with a cup and some wine. “What do you know of the Horsemen?”
Chapter Fifteen
What was Sebastiandoing, Charlotte wondered, glaring at him in her family’s sitting room? She glanced at John, hoping he had a way to dismiss the cocky baron. When he shook his head slightly, she sighed. What could she possibly say to sway Michael’s attention now?
“Ohhhh!” she cried out clutching her belly.
“What? What is it?” Michael grabbed hold of her and held her while she doubled over.
“It must be something she ate, my lord,” Old John offered, hurrying to her.
“Ohhh!” she cried out again. “Oh, I feel terrible. Call for the physician, John. Lord Surrey,” she managed, “we will have to cut our visit short. ’Twas good to see you. John, show Lord Surrey out. Detective, please help me to my room.”
Michael didn’t bother to bid Sebastian good day. Charlotte didn’t think he would as he led her out of the sitting room.
Her heart was thrashing. Her blood was racing through her veins. She did feel ill. She felt lightheaded and queasy. What was Sebastian about to tell Michael about the Horsemen? Why was he here? Had Preston sent him? Had it been Preston who had been worried about her? She wished she could have asked Sebastian, but it was best to get him out of the house before he said too much.
“Do you need me to carry you?”
