Chapter 1

Chapter One

Late October 1825 ~ London, England

" K atie , you must come to the Duke of Clarence's with us," her sister-in-law, Frankie , coaxed. " It could be fun. If you're not enjoying yourself, we can always leave early. I will use my pregnancy as an excuse." Her blue eyes twinkled with puckish humor.

" Frankie , you haven't let pregnancy deter you from any of the Season's events." Katie smiled. She adored her sister-in-law, who always managed to lift her spirits. " Why would anyone believe you now?"

" Probably because this child is growing so fast! Even though Thomas only allows me a waltz or two, it gives me a little exercise," Frankie said cheerfully.

" Besides , this will be my darling wife's last event for the Season ," her brother Thomas , Viscount Latham , said with a chuckle as he strode into the drawing room. " I'm insisting on it. I'm determined to leave for Sussex in the next few days. But I agree with Frankie , dear sister." His handsome face reflected concern. " It's been too long since you've allowed yourself any enjoyment. You must attend with us. It'll be good for you."

" Quite right," the Dowager Viscountess Latham agreed, entering the drawing room behind Thomas . " I allowed the pretense of a headache last week for the Siebert's ball, but our absence will disappoint the Dowager Duchess of Clarence , and she is one of my dearest friends. I insist on your attendance. Now , please go and get dressed."

Frankie looped her arm conspiratorially through Katie's . " It's always the ton's favorite event. We simply cannot miss it, Katie ," she said. " How about this? I'll help you pick out a gown if you help me select a pair of comfortable shoes. Even if I cannot see the shoes on my feet, at least I'll know they aren't pinching!"

" I can help you, wife," said Thomas , coming up beside Frankie and waggling his brows. " If your feet are swollen, I'll just carry you everywhere…like now." He swung her into his arms and twirled her about the room.

" Husband , I do not need that kind of help. You should put me down." Frankie giggled, her auburn curls bouncing as she gave him a playful swat.

Katie's heart twisted and her smile faltered. The teasing banter between Thomas and Frankie reminded her of what her own life could have been, if only…

She blinked back tears—it had been a little over a year since Wendel's death and even though the gut-wrenching grief had subsided and she could get through the day without bursting into tears, the guilt still festered, and always would. How many times had she gone over that horrible night in her mind? How many times had she wished she'd just given the damn pearls to the thief?

The thought of attending the Duke of Clarence's ball was the last thing on Katie's mind. If she were being honest with herself, it wasn't just about going to a ball without Wendel , it was about going anywhere at all.

Ever since that fateful night, Katie would practically break out in hives at the thought of going out—whether it was shopping on Bond Street , lemonade at Almack's , or even just tea with her best friend Lucy and her cousin Paula . Hives , heart palpitations, and dizziness were just a few of the symptoms Katie experienced every time she had to venture outside the safety of her family's townhouse in St . James .

The evil men who attacked her and Wendel that night had never been caught. Katie had not been able to recall enough details for Thomas and the private detective he'd hired to investigate. All she could recall was that there were three men. For so long, whenever she closed her eyes, all she saw was Wendel bleeding everywhere. There was so much blood . Two months ago, just before the anniversary of Wendel's death, she had started having bad dreams.

In one of her dreams, Wendel appeared to her, covered in blood, lying in the middle of a busy street. She ran to his side and fell to her knees. In her dream, she couldn't understand why people and carriages went by without stopping. He moved his lips, as though he were trying to tell her something. She leaned down but all she could hear was gurgling. She'd woken up screaming and shivering. Since then, she had begun to remember bits and pieces of what happened. Mostly vague and foggy images. It was as if her mind was telling her something, but what? So confused was she that she began keeping a diary. Although she'd noted everything, nothing had made much sense to her, so she'd kept it to herself. What could I tell?

Perhaps her bad dreams had more to do with the knowledge that those horrible men were still out there and that something like that could happen again. In the past fourteen months, Katie had gone through a litany of "if onlys" —if only she hadn't insisted on stopping to chat with a friend. If only they had ridden with Thomas and Frankie , if only she had listened to Wendel and stayed behind him, if only she hadn't resisted giving up her pearl necklace. If only she could have helped Wendel fight them off. If only. If only. If only …

" Please , my dearest, will you not come with us?" her mother pleaded softly, her eyes awash with tears.

Katie couldn't stand to see her mother cry. She looked at the faces of her family, so full of love and concern.

The Duke of Clarence's ball was one of the biggest events of the Season . Two years ago, Katie and Wendel had become betrothed shortly after the Clarence's ball. Last year, no one in her family had gone because of Wendel's death. Even though Katie dreaded attending this year, she could not let her family down. They had been so supportive of her, and they were right. She'd have to face Society again at some point. And she knew there was gossip among the ton about her and her late fiancé. But there was always gossip, and there always would be. Frankie's idea could be a perfect compromise. Katie preferred moving forward on her terms and resigned herself to going.

For the sake of her family, she pasted a smile on her face. " Very well, I'll go." She turned to Frankie and Thomas . " Do you promise we can leave if—" she swallowed—" If I don't feel well?"

" Of course! We would never push you past your limit," Frankie soothed. " I completely understand how difficult this must be for you."

" I'm so proud of you, dearest," her mother said, kissing her cheek. " I think the Clarence ball will be an excellent opportunity for you to re-enter Society . Lucy and Paula will be there to support you."

Katie nodded. Her friends would be there, but so would the rest of the ton . She hoped she could keep her anxiousness from overwhelming her.

" Viscount Thomas Latham , his wife Viscountess Frankie Latham , the Dowager Viscountess Marianna Latham , and her daughter Miss Kathleen Latham ," the butler announced from the ballroom entrance at the top of a grand staircase.

A noticeable hush descended upon the crowd as curious eyes turned toward the Latham family.

Captain Sebastian " Slice " Soren , hearing his friend's name announced, turned as well. He imagined it was the appearance of the lovely viscountess, who was visibly pregnant, that created the stir, but for him, it was the dark-haired beauty who walked in behind her.

So that's Latham's little sister .

Sebastian knew his friend had a sister, but no description he'd heard did her justice. Her thick, chocolate brown locks pulled back in a low chignon seemed to glitter under the shimmering lights of the chandeliers. He'd seen enough ladies of Society to notice the style of weaving crystals or even real gemstones into their hair. But in Miss Latham , the finest diamond paled in comparison to her piercing azure gaze that sparkled even from this distance.

Sebastian reached for a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing footman and took a deep gulp. He normally didn't indulge in champagne, preferring his cognac, but he suddenly felt the need to fortify himself as he beheld the stunning beauty of Miss Kathleen Latham .

Her deep rose silk gown threaded with diamond crystals along the hem was a striking contrast to her luscious locks. Her slightly daring décolletage, though modest compared to most of the women present, drew him in like a moth… Lord ! She was breathtaking. No wonder every man's head was turned in her direction.

She's the sister of your friend, you dolt!

Besides , he made it a rule, to avoid debutants. And generally preferred widows. His experience taught him that widows were not only delectable playmates in bed, but they were also quite content with the freedom that widowhood provided them.

As the second son of the Duke of Montagu , Sebastian felt no hurry to marry and was under no obligation to produce a progeny of male heirs for the ducal line. That was his older brother's duty. He was simply the spare and given the hearty health of his father and older brother, he had no worries of being burdened with the title of Duke and all that it entailed.

Money was not a concern for him, either. His parents, who were loving and loyal, had bestowed significant trust funds and a small estate to each of their children. Even so, as the former Chief of Security for the Eastern Star Shipping Company , co-owned by Latham and Slade Mason , the Earl of Drake , he'd amassed a substantial fortune. He'd left the company when he'd had his fill of traveling from port to port, around the world. In the past several years, he'd established a firm offering private security for notable persons of the ton , including Prinny and prominent members of Parliament .

It was a natural fit, given his background and experience. At the age of one and thirty, Sebastian was a master swordsman and a sharpshooter—a product of his military training. Despite his six-foot, four-inch, broad-shouldered frame—which gave him an advantage in brute force and the pugilistic style of fighting and was an obvious deterrent to the criminal element—he was also an expert in martial arts, including karate and kung fu.

Which was the main reason for Sebastian's attendance at the Clarence ball. Latham was worried about his sister and suspected the attack on her and Colborne a year ago may not have been by chance. The Clarence ball was Miss Katie Latham's first foray into Society since the incident at Drury Lane , and he promised her brother to keep a close eye on her. The perpetrators had completely disappeared, the trail having gone cold almost immediately. And no other robberies in the area had reported similar characters. It was as if the three men had vanished into thin air. Latham didn't want to take any chances, and given Sebastian's experience as a security expert, he could spot something suspicious that would be overlooked by most. Sebastian agreed and offered to help his friend.

" Speak of the devil," commented Sir Jonathan Nelson , one of his closest friends. Jonathan and Sebastian , who'd been at Eton together, had maintained a close bond since childhood. Nelson owned En Garde , a prominent fencing club. He and his brother, the Earl of Shefford , had opened it a handful of years ago in honor of their father, who had insisted they excel at swordsmanship. Nelson's skills and those of his brother had made it one of England's favored places for training. Prinny routinely utilized En Garde to train his highly placed military leaders and knighted Nelson for his contribution years ago.

" I'm glad he made it," Sebastian said. Having arrived at the ball more than forty minutes ago, the men had been discussing if Latham would even show up. " Now , I can observe Miss Latham without her becoming aware of my presence."

" You must be joking?" Nelson chuckled. " Everywhere you go, you stand out."

Sebastian elbowed his friend. " I mean, I can keep an eye out to see if anyone in the ton is acting suspicious around the girl."

" Ouch !" Nelson grinned as he rubbed his arm. " She's no girl."

Sebastian took a long sip of his champagne, as he watched Miss Latham make her way down the staircase with her family. Nelson was right on that score. Miss Latham was not a girl, but a beautiful young woman. He cleared his throat—hoping to clear his head at the same time. " This would be her second or third Season , right?"

" Officially , her second, I believe. She became engaged before the end of her first Season , two years ago. It seemed a match made in Heaven ," Nelson said. " Tragic what happened."

" Yes , most tragic," Sebastian said, unable to take his eyes off the brunette beauty. He'd been out of London on and off over the past few years since launching his private security firm. Sebastian had taken on various assignments that sometimes called for him to travel around England . A week ago, Latham had sent him a note to meet in a private room at En Garde . Nelson and his brother Shefford had been there as well, having been fully apprised of the situation.

" She's been having bad dreams lately, and although she hasn't said anything specifically about them, we know she's been suffering," Latham had told him.

" It could be a shock; we witnessed similar occurrences on the battlefield," Sebastian had said.

" I'm not certain," Latham had replied. " Katie has always been so self-possessed, even after the attack, she was never prone to becoming hysterical. She has never been able to describe the men in detail. From what I gather, the dreams are full of Colborne and blood. Colborne was a good man but not a fighter. I'd even brought it up to him at one point and offered to give him a few lessons, but I fear I only embarrassed the poor fellow. Still , he was brave and died protecting my sister. I will never forget that. Nor can I rest until those bastards are caught. But I don't want my sister to wither away, sitting in the parlor, reading romantic novels. I want her to venture out, but I need to ensure she is safe. If she knows I've asked you to watch over her, she will balk and never forgive me…"

Sebastian had agreed he would be the soul of discretion. Besides , by watching over Miss Latham from afar, he could observe those who came into her orbit. The fact that he hadn't been immersed in Society for several years gave him greater clarity.

" I can see why Latham asked you to step in instead of me," Nelson said, drawing him out of his thoughts.

" And why is that?" Sebastian arched a brow at his now smirking friend.

" Because you typically go for buxom blonde widows, not willowy brunettes of a marriageable age."

Sebastian growled at his friend. " Stubble it, Nelson , would you?" He drained his glass and set it on the tray of a passing footman. Truth be told, Nelson was right, but there was something different about Miss Latham . He'd noted an unmistakable look of vulnerability on her lovely face. The stoic expression she wore as the Latham family was announced at the ball had seemed to slip when the Dowager Duchess of Clarence approached the family. Sebastian's mother had commented in the past on the dowager's protectiveness for those she liked, which clearly included this young woman. He wished his parents were in town, his clever mother could have been of enormous help. But his parents were visiting his grandparents on his mother's side in Sussex .

" Tell me what you know about Miss Latham ," he said to his friend.

" She's a sensible young woman who is engaging and easy to speak with," Nelson supplied.

Sebastian looked at his friend. " You know a lot about her. Are you interested in her?" Damn and blast! Where did that come from? He sounded like a love-sick swain. She's not your cup of tea, he reminded himself. No matter how mesmerizing she is, you're doing this as a favor for a friend. Nelson would make him pay with the foils for goading him.

Nelson choked. " What ? No . She's beautiful. One can readily see that, but I have a mistress."

" Ah , yes. The luscious Mrs . Berryhill , the actress," Sebastian replied, grinning at his friend. " This is the longest you've been in a relationship."

Nelson shrugged. " It's a very satisfactory one. So much so, I might delay ending it." He nodded towards the Lathams . " Be careful."

" You know me better than that." Sebastian paused. His eyes followed Miss Latham , watching as she made her way to a small group of young women.

" Before I forget to ask, would you like to meet at the club tomorrow morning?" Nelson asked.

Sebastian nodded. " I'll probably need the exercise after spending an evening with the ton ." Before he could say anything else, the tap of a cane on the floor made them both turn.

" Duchess !" both men said in unison. The Dowager Duchess of Clarence was a favorite among their set. Sebastian had known her forever. His father and the late Duke of Clarence had been childhood friends, as were he and his brother with the current duke.

" You two gentlemen shouldn't be huddled in the corner! Two of the most handsome and eligible bachelors at the party should be mingling with the rest of the guests. Flirting with the young ladies." The dowager's eyes sparkled with mischief. " Besides , you have a job to do," she whispered.

Sebastian held up his hands, imploring. " We promise to mingle."

" And dance?" she persisted.

" And dance," Nelson agreed with a sly grin. " If you will promise me a dance."

Smiling , she handed him her dance card. " What a lovely idea. I'll save you a waltz."

" It'll be my pleasure," Nelson replied. He leaned over her hand and lightly kissed it before signing and returning her card.

" Lord Soren , if you haven't promised all your waltzes, I have someone I'd like to introduce to you later. I'm giving her time to adjust to the ball first," the dowager said.

" Certainly , Duchess ," Sebastian replied.

" I'm wounded," Nelson said, holding his hand over his heart.

" You boys make me feel like a young girl again," she teased. Looking around the room, she whispered conspiratorially, " I like to keep it interesting. You know how I enjoy being the object of juicy gossip." Smiling broadly, she thumped her gilded cane on the floor before walking toward the Duke of Clarence , who appeared in a hearty discussion with a well-known adversary in Parliament on the other side of the room.

If he had the good fortune to live to the age of the Dowager Duchess of Clarence , Sebastian hoped he would be as lively and dynamic. She was one of a kind.