Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

A Week Later

K atie whirled around and thrust her epee. She'd been practicing every day that week, determined to become as adept as she could. Even if the danger had passed, she enjoyed the practice—it made her feel stronger and more secure whenever she went out.

" Well done, Katie ," the dowager said, with a thump of her cane.

Katie smiled at the elderly woman over her shoulder. The dowager had been good to put her through her paces, calling out moves and critiquing her form, but it wasn't the same as the lessons she had enjoyed with Sebastian .

She sighed as she executed a repost. No matter what she did, and no matter who was with her, Katie's thoughts always seemed to find their way back to Sebastian .

She wished she could stop thinking about him. Heck . She wished she could stop wanting to think about him. But she couldn't. With each day that went by, she wondered if his feelings had waned.

It had been almost a week since the kidnapping. He'd returned her to the dowager's and updated everyone on what had happened, including what they knew about Endora Deville and Rosco Black . The next day, she received pink roses and a card saying he hoped she felt better, and that he'd see her soon. And then—nothing. No visit. No cards. No missives whatsoever. She had been prepared to declare her love, in the hope that he too felt the same about her, or at least cared enough to want to court her, but now she wondered if she had misread him.

After all, Sebastian was a man of the world. His mistresses were no doubt sophisticated, worldly, and independent. A man of his caliber no doubt had his pick of women. Yes , he'd been caring and had helped her enormously but perhaps that was all it was.

But what about the kisses we shared?

And he practically swept me up in his arms and declared how worried he'd been when I went missing.

When Sebastian had entered that cottage to rescue her, her heart had soared with hope. But now, time and distance had worn down her new-found self-confidence, and she was no longer sure of what she'd shared with him.

For a moment in time, her life had seemed bright and hopeful again, but she was growing doubtful she would ever find happiness again.

" You're making great strides, my dear. l, am pleased you are continuing to practice. You'll feel even more confident with the parasol when you are out and about," the dowager said.

" You're right, Duchess . It makes sense to gain a good feel for its weight."

" Keep practicing while I check on dinner. I'll be right back," the dowager said. " This practice will pay dividends, dear. I promise." She thumped her cane once more. " Don't give up hope on him."

How can I not?

Katie thrust and reposted, then lunged.

" Excellent form," a deep male voice said from behind.

Katie froze. Her heart leaped to her throat. She took a deep breath and then turned to see Sebastian standing in the doorway to the ballroom.

" Sebastian , how are you?" She wanted to whoop with joy and run and jump in his arms, but she no longer felt certain it would be welcomed.

" I am fine. And you?"

" I'm feeling ever so much better, thank you. And as you can see, I'm keeping up my practice." She gave a quick flick of the foil from left to right.

" Yes , I can see. You are doing splendidly." His lips curved up in a slow smile.

" Thank you," she said, silently curing her squeaky voice.

" Er , did you finish your investigation?" she asked.

" I did," he said, as he began slowly walking towards her.

" What will happen to Gummy and Doogan ?"

" The Crown is involved and is trying to determine their value to the rest of the investigation. Black was a serial killer, so if they cooperate and give evidence, there might be hope for them. Otherwise , their prospects are bleak."

He kept walking towards her in that maddeningly slow walk.

" Is it finally over?" she asked, shakily.

" It is," he said, reaching her.

" Thank God for that," she said. He was standing so close she had to lean back to look up at him. Lord , he's a tall one.

" Now it's time for me to ask you a question," he said.

Sebastian got down on one knee and gazed up at her.

Her heart hitched and she would have sworn the green flecks in his eyes sparkled.

" Miss Katie Latham , will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife so that I can spend the rest of my life making you happy?"

She gasped. And then she burst into tears. But they were happy tears. So she didn't mind. They spilled down her face as she looked into his beautiful sable eyes. " Yes , yes, yes!" Katie got down on her knees with him and hugged him. " I thought you had given up on us," she breathed. " It's been an eternity since I saw you, and…"

He didn't let her finish. " I love you, Katie , and there's no way I can live my life without you by my side. When I thought I'd lost you, my world almost crashed down around my head. I was so afraid I wouldn't get there in time."

" I'm so glad you got there in time." Fresh tears poured down her cheeks.

He withdrew a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.

" I owe you so many handkerchiefs," she said in a wobbly voice.

" It's all right," he said tenderly. " I have a lifetime supply."

" Thank you," she whispered, reaching up to caress his face. " But why didn't you send word?"

" Forgive me, my love. I was working day and night and had to tie up the investigation and make sure no one and nothing was left that could hurt my beautiful Katie ." He placed a soft kiss in the palm of her hand."

She almost swooned.

" And then, there was the trip to Sussex . I had to ask for your brother's permission," he said.

" You did?"

" I did."

" What did my brother say?"

" He said it's about time."

The thump of a cane echoed behind them, and they stood and turned to see the dowager with Paula .

" Here , here!" the dowager said. " I heartily second that!"

" Honestly , I'm just glad I won't have to look at another scarf collection again!" Paula chimed in.

Everyone laughed.

Sebastian wrapped his arms around Katie and hugged her close.

" There is one other thing I was taking care of this week."

" Yes ?"

He reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. When he opened it, he placed a ring on her finger. " I had this ring made for you." The ring was gold with a large oval sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. " There is not a jewel that could possibly match the beauty of your eyes. But this one comes close. I love you, Katie Latham ," Sebastian said, cupping her face.

" It's beautiful," she said through fresh tears. " I love you, too, Sebastian ."

The dowager tapped her cane. " Well , now. While they sort things out, I need to ask your opinion on my collection of teas, Paula ."

Laughing , Sebastian pulled Katie closer and kissed her. It was a long, lingering, passionate kiss—and Katie no longer cared whether anyone saw them.

" I don't want to tempt you to the dining room before you are ready, but when you sent word you were coming, Cook outdid herself. She made the most delicious meal, starting with turtle soup, which is my favorite. And of course, we all want to hear all the news! I'll meet you both there. "

It had been a hectic week for Sebastian . Between meetings with the magistrate, the Crown , and even the King himself, he had managed to get to Sussex and speak with Latham . He had been pleasantly surprised his friend had been thrilled about the match. His only request was that they hold the wedding in the chapel at their home since Frankie was so close to her delivery date. Sebastian was happy to oblige.

" I apologize for taking so long to get here," Nelson said, entering the room.

" Quite all right. You're still in time for dinner." The duchess nodded to an empty seat next to Paula . " I'm so glad you made it," she said with a knowing smile.

" Thank you for the invitation."

Over a course of turtle soup, Sebastian supplied the latest update.

" The pauper's section of the Blackfield Cemetery became the ultimate resting place for Rosco Black . As far as the other two, Gummy is being held with Doogan in a goal, secured by guards until their fate is decided. They knew about him going to the caretaker's cottage, but they weren't aware of the women buried in a small plot next to it. While that does not exonerate them from the crimes they took part in, they may have valuable information that can be used to solve other crimes that Black perpetrated, " said Sebastian . " But their fate is in the hands of the courts now."

" Black used his job for personal gain and his own dark and twisted tastes. He was notorious for taking bribes but also for feathering his nest with female prisoners. Many have disappeared, and we suspect they are the ones in the cemetery. I suspect they will continue to uncover things for days," Nelson added.

" What a gruesome, twisted man," said Paula with a shudder.

" At least he can no longer inflict harm on anyone else," the dowager said. She turned to Katie and dabbed her eyes. " I am so thankful you were spared."

Katie reached out and squeezed the dowager's hand. " Not everyone is lucky enough to have a fairy godmother," she said, her eyes glistening with tears. " Thank you, Duchess , for all your encouragement and support."

" Tsk ! You give me too much credit. You are perfect for each other, and that made finding each other easy. Besides , having you here gave me a chance to have daughters—and I hope you both will continue to indulge me."

" Of course," Paula said.

" We consider ourselves lucky to have you!" Katie added.

The older woman sniffled. " Thank God that's behind us," she said with a thump of her cane. " We are fortunate to have escaped the widow and that horrible Mr . Black . But do we know why they pursued Katie ? It makes no sense," the dowager said.

" Because the widow asked him—at least that's what I've gleaned from Doogan and Gummy . They said he would complain but continued to do her bidding. She wanted to hurt those that she perceived had hurt her…"

" But in a way that couldn't be connected to her," the dowager concluded. " The widow Deville was a horrible woman, but I certainly never wished her dead. She could have had a much better life than she chose. She would be devastated over your happy news." The dowager paused. " We should probably focus on the wonderful, happy occasion we have been blessed with tonight."

" Quite happily," Paula said. " Besides , your townhouse is closer to Gunter's than Mama's is."

" Aha . I knew the stars were aligned when I invited you girls to stay," the dowager said with a chuckle.

" Whatever or whoever was in charge of aligning the stars our way, I thank them from the bottom of my heart," Sebastian said.

Growing up, Sebastian had never been like other youths, prone to spouting off poetry and falling for every pretty girl he met at a ball or a house party. He'd always been a man of action. Someone who had put his military career first and then his security work and several other ventures. Although he always enjoyed the company of women, marriage had never been a priority for him. Until the night he met Katie . Now , he couldn't imagine his life without her. She was the loveliest, most adorable, and bravest woman he'd ever met. And he couldn't wait to marry her so he could finally be alone with her.

He winked at Katie above the rim of his wine glass, enjoying the pretty blush that tinted her cheeks. Ah , yes, he was definitely looking forward to their honeymoon.