"I doubt it. Even if Thornbridge tells her that it was her bedcham­ber in which he discovered us, she probably won't connect me to the note she'll eventually find in her safe."

"Why not?"

"For one thing, it may be several days before she discovers the note. She won't have any way of knowing when it was left. For an­other, even if she does think about the fact that I was found in her bedchamber, she'll recall that you were with me," Sebastian said.

Prudence tilted her head to one side and studied him from under the brim of her bonnet. "I don't understand."

"Like everyone else, she'll think that we disappeared upstairs so that I could seduce you in the first available bedchamber I found."

"My lord." Prudence was shocked, in spite of herself. She could feel her cheeks turning violently pink.

"A charming picture, is it not?"

"I suppose that is what everyone is thinking today," Prudence said morosely.

"No doubt."

Prudence was silent for a moment as she contemplated what Se­bastian had just told her. "This information explains everything, of course. You have found yourself a most interesting, if rather danger­ous hobby, my lord."

"I enjoy it from time to time," Sebastian admitted.

"It is not unlike my own little hobby."

"I am aware of that." Sebastian flicked the reins lightly over the horses' rumps. "It gives us something in common, don't you think?"

"Yes. Yes, it does." Prudence turned to him, bubbling over with sudden enthusiasm. "Sir, it occurs to me that we could combine our interests."

Sebastian slanted her a wary glance. "What the devil are you talk­ing about?"

"I do not see why we could not conduct investigations together, my lord. Between the two of us, we would make an excellent team."

"The way we did last night?" Sebastian asked bluntly. "May I re­mind you that I very nearly got shot by a jealous husband because of your helpful assistance?"

"That is very unfair, my lord. What would you have done without me?"

"Hidden in the wardrobe myself and avoided Thornbridge," Se­bastian said succinctly. "He would never have seen me."

"Oh." Prudence sought for a successful counterargument with which to demolish his reasoning but could find none. She decided to try a different tactic. "I urge you to think of how very interesting it would be for us to work together, sir. Only consider the fascinating conversations we shall have."

"I have considered that. Why do you think I told you about Lady Thornbridge's blackmailing scheme? I did not say I was opposed to discussing my cases with you."

Prudence's hopes rose again. "Then you do think we might work together?"

"On a consulting basis only," Sebastian said evenly. "I am willing to discuss my cases with you, but I will not allow you to accompany me on my investigations. I want no more scenes such as the one that transpired last night."

"I don't see why not," Prudence retorted. "The damage has al­ready been done. We are already trapped in this farce of an engage­ment for the remainder of the Season. What else could possibly go wrong?"

Sebastian's mouth tightened in a grim line. "There is always a certain risk involved in my investigations. I do not want you con­fronting any more pistols."

Prudence's eyes widened. "Does that sort of thing happen often in the course of your investigations?"

"Of course not. But I am not going to take any chances. As I said,

I shall discuss my cases with you, but that is as far as it goes." He gave her an indulgent look. "After all, my dear, your expertise is in the field of spectral phenomena, not in the investigation of blackmailers and other such criminals."

"But I feel certain many of my methods would apply equally well to the investigation of criminal activities as they do to the investigation of spectral phenomena," Prudence assured him earnestly.

"Trust me, my dear, there is a world of difference between the two types of investigations."

Prudence glowered at him. "How would you know?"

"It's obvious." Sebastian's gloved hands moved almost impercepti­bly on the reins. The horses quickened their pace to a trot.

"My lord, I must say, you are being extremely stubborn about this. As we are going to be obliged to spend a great deal of time in each other's company for the next two and a half months, I do not see why we should not spend that time assisting each other in our various investigations."

"The answer is no, Prue, and that is final."

There was no mistaking the ring of inflexible steel in Sebastian's words. Prudence lifted her chin. "Very well, my lord. If you choose to be arrogant and thick-skulled about the matter, there is little I can do."

He smiled in approval. "I'm glad you aren't the sort of female who whines when she doesn't get her own way. I find that sort of thing extremely tiresome."

"Whine? Me? Not at all, my lord." Prudence tried to imitate his cool smile. "I would not want to bore you. In any event, I expect I shall be busy enough with my own investigations."

Sebastian inclined his head politely. "I shall look forward to hear­ing about them."

Prudence did not care for the slightly condescending tone she thought she detected in his voice. "Perhaps I will be able to give you a full report on my latest investigation as early as tomorrow morning."

"That soon?" Sebastian glanced at her. "Have you found a client here in Town?"

"A friend of Lady Pembroke's has brought me a most fascinating case." Prudence leaned closer. "Are you acquainted with Mrs. Leacock?"

Sebastian reflected briefly. "I've heard of her. Her husband re­cently died and left her his fortune, as I recall."

"Yes, well, she has recently been having a great deal of trouble with a ghost in the west wing of her home. I had hoped to be able to test out some of my latest theories by using an electricity machine to trap this particular ghost, but I fear that would be a waste of time on this case."

"How are you going to catch your ghost?"

Prudence gave him a superior sort of smile. "Lady Pembroke and I are going to stay the night with her. Tonight I shall sleep in Mrs. Leacock's bedchamber in the west wing."

Sebastian slanted her a curious glance. "You're going to trade places with Mrs. Leacock?"

"Correct. But we are not going to tell anyone about the switch."

He was amused. "Why not? Do you think the ghost will care?"

"As a matter of fact," Prudence said, "I think he just might care a great deal."

Sebastian eyed her sharply. "He?"

"I have concluded my initial inquiries. There are several interest­ing factors about this particular case of spectral phenomena," Pru­dence confided. "The first is that the apparition did not begin appear­ing until very recently."

"How recently?"

"The incidents began occurring shortly after Mr. Leacock's death," Prudence said. "Mrs. Leacock had never before encountered the ghost in the west wing. Nor had anyone else. There were no ru­mors of the house being haunted until now."

"The woman has just suffered the loss of her husband," Sebastian reminded her. "She is probably having nightmares."

"I'm not entirely convinced of that. You see, the second interesting feature of this case is that Mrs. Leacock has no children of her own. But according to Lady Pembroke, she does have three greedy neph­ews. And all three are aware that their aunt has recently been told by her doctor that she has a weak heart."

"Bloody hell." Sebastian stared at her. "Are you telling me you think that the nephews might be deliberately trying to terrify their aunt in hopes of causing her heart to fail?"

"I think it's quite possible. Tonight I intend to find out."

"By confronting the ghost?" Sebastian's jaw set in an implacable line. "I think not."

"You, my lord," Prudence said sweetly, "have nothing to say about it."