His countenance swiftly softened at her apology, his hand reaching up to cover the fingers that still lay upon his arm.
"There is nothing to forgive."
"But there is," she insisted, determined to have the air cleared between them. "I have not been entirely myself lately and I fear that my concerns have made me strike out at even those who have shown me only kindness."
He stepped closer, easily trapping her in the molten silver of his eyes. "If we are confessing, then I suppose I must also admit that I can at times be unfortunately highhanded. It was not my intent to drive you away."
Her heart flip-flopped as she felt the warmth feather over her skin. Yes, he could be highhanded, but at the moment she thought she could forgive him anything as long as he promised to continue gazing at her in precisely that manner.
With an effort she attempted to collect her disappearing wits. She could not continue to simply gape at him like a looby.
"Well, now that we have that out of the way, I wish to know if you have been injured elsewhere."
"I am well." A rather strange glint of humor simmered in his eyes. "I heal remarkably quickly."
She tilted her head to one side. "I hope that your attacker was suitably punished?"
His rueful chuckle tingled down her spine. "No. To be honest, I did not give a good accounting of my-self. In my defense, however, I was taken by surprise. On the next occasion I shall be better prepared."
Her breath caught. No. She could not even consider the thought of this gentleman being harmed.
"I pray there is no next time."
"As do I."
"Still, you must take better care."
His brows rose at her fierce command. "Lectures from the daring Amelia Hadwell?"
In spite of herself, Amelia felt a renegade tug of amusement at her lips. It was perhaps a bit hypocritical to command him to keep himself safe when she had blatantly announced she was going to hunt for a murderer.
"I am not the one nursing cuts and bruises, sir."
The silver eyes widened before he gave a swift laugh. "I suppose I walked straight into that one?"
Her smile widened in enjoyment at his teasing. "As a matter of fact, you did."
He became still as he gazed down at her upturned face. Then he slowly shook his head.
"Amazing."
The breathless sensation returned as she battled to slow the sudden charge of her heart.
"What?"
His hand lifted to gently touch the corner of her mouth, seemingly unaware that he was making her knees so weak she could barely stand.
"I did not realize how extraordinarily charming dimples could be."
"You are being absurd," she breathed.
He heaved a barely perceptible sigh. "It appears to be my fate when you are near."
"Sebastian..."
The desire to confess that he managed to confuse and befuddle her with equal force was abruptly snatched away as Mrs. Benson entered the room with a beaming smile.
"Here we are. Some nice hot tea and fresh muffins."