Author's Note: I had intended to give fanfiction a break after writing my first manga-based one, but I just enjoyed writing Bridget and Sebastian far too much. That and I was re-reading my books (curse you, release the fourth one already!) and the wild idea of what would happen if Bridget and Elizabeth were in the same room popped into my head. Hilarity is what would happen, my friends. Hilarity. So enjoy. I've got a better handle on both Sebastian and Bridget as character so this should be a fun one.

She came unannounced. Sebastian's only warning was the crunch of horse hooves on the gravel front and the clack of wheels. The butler twitched back a curtain and watched as a severe woman dismounted and swept to the front of the house. His demeanor did not change. If he was irritated by this interruption – and her, of all people! - it did not show. He merely set the china he was dusting back inside the cabinet and latched it shut. By the time their visitor was at the door, he was in the hall and ready to greet her at the second knock.

Even she seemed impressed by his punctuality in the face of a surprise visit.

"Marchioness of Midford," he said pleasantly, "We were not expecting you."

"I know," she replied and brushed past him into the entryway. She cast a critical eye over the manor before turning her hawk-eyed glare to Sebastian. "This is not a social visit. I must speak to Ciel."

The ferocity behind her stare was not directed at him, Sebastian noted. She did not mention his face (lecherous, wasn't it?) or the way he styled his hair. Her cold disdain was gone, replaced by an intensity that he found familiar and somewhat delightful. It had been a treat in the days he roamed the world unfettered. He smiled inside, but to the Marchioness he presented a cool and complacent manner. This might be an intriguing visit after all.

"Is the Lady Elizabeth quite well?" he asked gently.

Ah. There it was. Her eyes tightened and small lines appeared in the skin near the edges as she went rigid.

"Take me to Ciel," she repeated, fairly spitting the words.

Sebastian gave her a polite bow and led the way to his master's study. The lioness was here to protect her cub.

Lady Francis hardly touched her tea. Neither did Ciel, for that matter. Sebastian hovered in the background, attentive and forgotten. He kept a wary eye on the door. The rest of the staff hadn't noticed they had a visitor yet, but he didn't count on them to behave appropriately when one did notice the addition of an extra coach or another horse in the stable. They would not interrupt. He'd hang Mey-rin from the chandelier by her shoelaces if she came crashing through those doors and disturbed the conversation.

"I haven't found anything substantial," Lady Francis said tersely, running a finger along the rim of her teacup, "It's just half-glimpses and an uneasy feeling. But I cannot afford to take chances, not with my daughter. I was hoping that with your connections you would have someone that could look into the matter – discreetly. I do not want to alarm Elizabeth unnecessarily."

If it were anyone else, Sebastian would believe her falling prey to the paranoia of a mother. This was the Marchioness, however. She was a formidable woman and was not one inclined to flights of fancy. If she had reason to believe someone was stalking her daughter, than it probably had some merit. More merit than Sebastian cared to admit, as anyone that could upset Lady Francis and yet not give themselves away entirely was quite talented at what they were doing.

And if he had guessed at this much, there was no doubt that Ciel had as well. Sebastian watched his young master carefully but the boy remained collected. Sebastian silently approved. Ciel's confidence would serve to reassure his aunt

"A detective is your best recourse," Ciel said, "I know of a good number that are reliable. We would need to invent a reason as to why one would be joining your household and accompanying Lady Elizabeth, however."

That hawk-look returned. Ciel met it long enough to show that he was indeed serious about such a proposition. If a detective was going to do any good in this matter, he had to have access to Elizabeth and to go wherever she did.

"She has tutors aplenty," Lady Francis mused, "But would I not trust a street detective to be able to fulfill such a role, were that not the case. And I simply cannot allow a man to accompany my daughter with no reason..."

The Marchioness was getting ready to dismiss the idea. Sebastian discreetly coughed.

"Marchioness," he said, "If the problem is with allowing a man to accompany the Lady Elizabeth... would you accept a woman?"