What the hell? Sebastian pulled her hard toward him so that her back smacked against the front of him with enough force that he had to catch his breath. "Shh...Amelia, it is Sebastian."

She no longer screamed, but she fought his hold on her. Realizing his hold was part of the problem, Sebastian immediately released her. When she fought free of his grasp he saw the torn sleeve of her gown, hanging from the shoulder and exposing her skin. What looked like red scratch marks marred the whiteness. Sebastian felt anger rise in him, but he pushed it down. He had no idea what had actually happened.

By now, she realized there was no danger. She stood there, looking at Sebastian with wide eyes, her breaths coming in desperate gasps as if she had run a long distance.

"I am sorry," she said simply, her voice breaking as she still gasped for air. "I did not see you there."

"You did not hear me either," Sebastian said. He kept his voice even, but he could feel his blood turning hot. Something had definitely frightened her.

He moved closer to her. She flinched, but did not move away. He wondered why he should get that reaction from her now, after all this time that she had known him.

He jutted his chin toward her torn gown. "What happened?"

She looked down at the ground, and used one hand to hold the torn sleeve in place. "Nothing. Thank you for asking." Her voice was cool as if she might have been talking to a stranger.

Sebastian moved closer, but she pushed past him and practically ran to the house. Sebastian was there before she could open the door.

"Amelia?" He made his voice as firm as he could and hoped that he would not startle her further. "Tell me what happened."

"Nothing, Sebastian. Nothing." She simply stood there and waited for him to move from the door so that she could enter. After she had gone, he slammed his palm against the doorframe. Something most certainly had happened, but he had no idea what, and he was not in a position to protect her. He ran his hand down his face.