Chapter 2

Chapter Two

T he moment a liveried footman announced her name at the Duke of Clarence ball, everything began to feel strange. Katie watched her brother and his wife make their way down the steps to the ballroom ahead of her, but she struggled to move her feet. She noticed Lucy and Paula across the room accepting glasses of champagne from a footman and wanted to be with them, but her feet felt like lead. Her heart was pounding so hard that it pulsed in her ears, and she fought to keep her vision from blurring. Sweat beaded on her forehead and the room began to sway.

Focus on something…someone…anything…

Her gaze swiveled around the ballroom, taking in glittering candles, giggling debutantes, and glasses clinking, and then she saw him .

There was no way to miss him. He was speaking to the Dowager Duchess of Clarence . The man towered over the elderly lady by almost two feet—he towered over everyone in the room. Broad shoulders tucked into a tailored black coat, muscular thighs straining against snug buff breeches, and thick and wavy dark brown hair that shone under the light of the chandeliers—but it was his sable dark eyes that took her breath away. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life.

Guilt twisted in her chest. She should not be looking at other men, should she? She would have been a married woman by now if not for… She swallowed as she tried not to think about that night. She'd spent an entire year thinking about that night. For an entire year, She blamed herself for being foolish, silly, and na?ve. Shaking off the heavy gray cloud that began to envelop her whenever she thought about Wendel and how he died, Katie made her way over to Paula and Lucy , who were standing next to a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the duke's famous gardens.

Her dear friends had been all that was supportive and kind throughout the most difficult year of her life. She didn't know how she would have gotten through her grief if it hadn't been for Lucy and Paula .

As she approached them, Katie happened to glance over her shoulder and a gasp escaped her as her eyes met those of the tall, handsome stranger who was speaking to the dowager duchess a few minutes ago. The man's dark eyes stared at Katie intently, making her feel completely discombobulated. Uncanny . It was as though he knew what she was thinking.

The mystery man was standing next to Sir Jonathan Nelson . She wondered how they knew each other. Sir Jonathan ran a successful fencing club that was frequented by most of the younger men in the ton, including her brother, Thomas . Katie , feeling her face flush with heat at being "caught" looking at him, broke eye contact with the stranger and turned to greet her friends.

" Darling Katie , you look beautiful. I'm so glad you came tonight," Lucy said, wrapping her arms around Katie in a warm embrace.

" I agree. We'll have lots of fun. You'll see," Paula said, hugging her tightly.

" Thank you both. I'm so glad to see the two of you. You must think me a silly goose for not venturing out until tonight."

" Not at all," Paula said. " You had a terrible thing happen, and the shock of it took time to work through."

Tears misted Katie's eyes, but she forced them back. She would not make a cake of herself. She could get through this, and then, things would be better.

" I must say, it seems as though everyone in the ton is out in full force this evening," Lucy said. " I've never seen such a crush before. I went to the lady's retiring room earlier and it was packed with gossiping women. A few of them turned and gave me the look —" She scrunched up her face as if she had smelled something horrible, before laughing. " All I wanted to do was tinkle, but I wager they thought I was going to retch like I did two Seasons ago. Two . And they are still talking about it."

Paula and Katie giggled. Her dear friend Lucy had unfortunately lost her accounts at the Clarence ball in their very first Season after being served too much champagne. Lucy had had a challenging time since then, and certain members of the ton had made it even more difficult for her.

" Their memory is long, and gossip is what women of the ton do best," Paula said.

" Yes , it's unfortunate, but gossip seems to be the only pastime for many," Katie said.

She'd avoided the worst of it, having spent most of her time in the safety of her home for the past year.

" It certainly makes one rethink the entire marriage mart," Lucy added in a self-deprecating tone. " I've gained quite the reputation among eligible bachelors, it seems."

" Speaking of bachelors, there are two over there," Paula said, nodding toward two men standing in front of a Romanesque column near the ballroom stairs. " They are both handsome, but something is intriguing about the one with the hair like dark copper. He's tall, but he's standing next to a giant," Paula whispered loudly, nudging Katie from her thoughts. " I don't believe I've seen him before."

" Just before you arrived, I saw him sign the Dowager Duchess of Clarence's dance card. I don't think I've ever seen her dance," Lucy added. " Oh dear, there's one of the gossiping mamas from the retiring room. She keeps staring at me and clutching her pearls.

" Poor sweet, Lucy ," Paula said. " Oh my, that handsome fellow just looked at me. What a brazen smile! The very cheek!"

" I think that's Sir Jonathan Nelson ," Katie began. " He's a friend of my brother's."

" Sir Jonathan Nelson ?" Paula said with a huff. " I heard a rumor he keeps several mistresses."

Katie was about to suggest Paula stop listening to gossip when a woman's scream from nearby made her gasp.

Katie and her friends turned to see the matron who had been gossiping about Lucy had broken her strand of pearls and the beads were bouncing and scattering on the ballroom floor.

" My pearls, my pearls!" the matron screeched as people rushed to her aid.

" Oh no— " Katie gasped.

" Katie , are you all right?" Paula asked, reaching for Katie's hand. " Cousin , you look pale. Shall I fetch Frankie ?"

" No …no, please don't bother them. I'm fine. Truly ," Katie whispered, weakly. " My shoes are pinching my feet," she lied.

But she wasn't fine. Her forehead was beading with sweat and her vision was beginning to dim, despite the hundreds of candles in the crystal chandeliers above them. Fragmented images of the night of the attack— Wendel's face, the blood, and another face she thought she should recognize flashed in her mind.

Her breath was now coming in short, sharp gasps, and the room began to spin.

" Girls , it seems that I'm not feeling quite myself," Katie said. " I think I need to sit down." Her voice sounded shaky and wispy to her ears.

What is happening?

Her dizzy spells had been fewer and far between in the past few months, and she had hoped she was overcoming them. But the woman's scream and the string of pearls snapping must have triggered something inside her. She didn't understand, but nor could she surrender to this extreme nervous distress.

Not here. Not in front of the entire ton .

" My goodness, Katie ! You are so pale. And your skin is like ice," Lucy said, gently cupping Katie's face.

Lucy possessed a gentle and calming nature and could usually make Katie feel better just by holding her hand. But tonight was different. Tonight , she was feeling so overwhelmed in the crowded ballroom, the heat from hundreds of people and candles, and the shock of that woman, that she was having trouble even standing.

Hold onto me," Paula whispered, concern threading her voice. " There's a row of chairs against the back wall near the refreshment table. Lucy , run ahead and fetch a glass of lemonade. We'll make our way over there and we can sit for a while."

" Yes , a glass of lemonade will soon have you restored," Lucy added as she hurried away.

Katie nodded and pasted a smile that she didn't feel on her face. She allowed Paula to lead her forward. Katie felt her legs growing wobbly. If it wasn't for Paula propping her up, Katie might have tumbled to the floor .

Please , legs, don't fail me now .

She prayed she could make it to a chair without sinking to the floor in a puddle and making a cake of herself. But her legs were shaking uncontrollably, and the gray haze was pushing in on her.

She'd felt this way before, and it usually preceded a fainting spell.

Oh God , please don't let me faint. Please don't let me faint. She was worried she would stumble and drag her cousin down with her.

Her panic escalating, she glanced around the room, desperately searching for her brother. She saw him in a group with the dowager and several other people she didn't recognize. Thomas is too far to help me. " Paula , I don't think I can make it," she said in a breathless voice that sounded far away to her ears.

" Allow me to escort you to a chair, my lady," a calm, deep voice said beside her.

She looked up into the handsome face of the tall stranger, the mysterious man whose dark eyes had nearly mesmerized her when their gazes met across the ballroom floor earlier.

" I — I f-feel a fainting spell c-coming on," she said in a raspy voice.

He nodded as though he understood completely. A kind smile curved his lips upward as he tucked her arm through his. He glanced at Paula and nodded, and she let go of Katie's other arm. " I promise I won't make you fall or faint."

" How ?"

" I want you to look into my eyes and listen to my voice."

Katie barely managed a nod. She leaned against his arm, and it was as though she could feel a pulse of awareness—something she had never felt before—flow through her body at his very touch.

His brow furrowed with concern. " Keep your eyes on me, Miss Latham ."

The rich, velvety sound of his voice enveloped her. " You know my…?"

He nodded. " Keep looking at my face and smile as if we are having a pleasant conversation. We shall walk to the chair slowly."

" This is—highly irregular," she managed to croak.

He smiled broadly. " Not to worry. I know your brother very well. I don't think he'll call me out."

At the thought of her brother calling out this Goliath , Katie managed a genuine smile.

" That's better." He gave her a gentle pat on her arm. " I saw the expression on your face change as you were talking to your friends and I recognized what was happening immediately," he added in a low whisper.

" A woman screamed—her pearls…"

" Yes , her friends all rushed to her rescue when her necklace broke apart," Paula added in a dry voice.

The gentleman turned to Paula and smiled. " Miss Gowans , would you be so kind as to take my other arm to appear that we three are having a genial conversation as we make our way over to those chairs?" Then , in a louder voice, he added, " Allow me to escort you ladies to the refreshment table."

Paula nodded and did as he asked. Katie thought her cousin looked almost as dazed as she felt. The mystery man knew Paula's name as well.

" I - I'm afraid you have us at a disadvantage," Katie said as their rescuer gifted her with another brilliant smile. Goodness , I'm sure I could gaze at his face all day.

" My apologies." He inclined his head. " Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lord Sebastian Soren . My father is the Duke of Montagu ."

" Pleased to meet you, my lord," Katie said.

" Yes , thank you for helping us," Paula added.

" My pleasure," he said as they neared a cluster of empty chairs. " Miss Latham , please allow me to help you to a seat," Lord Soren whispered. He assisted her to an empty seat next to a potted palm.

Katie had already started to feel better as Lord Soren escorted them across the ballroom, but she sighed with relief as she sat down.

" Katie , sip lemonade," Lucy said, hurrying over to them with a glass.

" Thank you, Lucy ." Katie took a few sips of the cool, sweet drink, grateful for her friends.

Lord Soren introduced himself to Lucy , who blushed prettily and curtsied.

Paula edged closer to her. " Katie , you're still pale. Perhaps we should get Frankie ."

" No . Please , I'm feeling better. It was just—" Katie stopped talking as she spotted Frankie and Thomas walking toward them.

" Katie , are you all right?" Thomas asked, his face etched with concern.

" Yes , just the heat of the room." She gave them a wobbly smile.

Thomas looked as though he didn't believe her. He turned to Lord Soren and said, " Slice , thank you for your assistance."

Katie peered up at her hero, confused. Slice ?

" You are most welcome, Latham . I have just had the pleasure of meeting your sister, Miss Latham , and her cousin, Miss Paula Gowans , and friend, Miss Lucy Jeffreys . I hope you can forgive my social gaffe. I hastily introduced myself to your sister when I realized she appeared to be in distress," Lord Soren returned. " And with the help of Miss Gowans , I merely assisted her to a seat." He turned to Katie and smiled sympathetically. " I am pleased to see the color has returned to your face, Miss Latham ."

" Thank you for your assistance, Lord Soren . I — I'm not quite sure what I would have done without it."

" I would like to thank you as well," Paula added.

" You swooped in and rescued her just like a hero from a grand romantic novel," Lucy said with a sigh.

Katie couldn't help but smile at Lucy's comment. Paula rolled her eyes.

" Perhaps we should get you home," Frankie suggested. " Paula , maybe you can fetch Katie's mother," she said, turning to Katie's cousin. " I saw her on her way to the ladies' retiring room with your mother just before Thomas and I made our way over here."

" Of course," Paula said with a quick nod.

Katie shook her head. " No . I'm feeling much better," she insisted. " Please , I don't want Mama or Aunt Jane to worry. Besides , I've managed to draw enough attention to myself." She didn't need hundreds of eyes on her as she left the ball so soon. Luckily , the orchestra began warming up the first notes of a dance.

" If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness, I will try," Katie said, looking up at Lord Soren .

" There is. I wonder if you would do me the honor of a dance, once you feel a little rested, Miss Latham . Perhaps the next waltz. The pace is much calmer than some of the other dances, and it might allow us to become better acquainted."

The thumping of a cane on the polished wood floor alerted them to the approach of the Dowager Duchess of Clarence . The elderly woman was being escorted by Sir Jonathan Nelson , the handsome young gentleman who was talking to Lord Soren earlier.

" Lord Soren , it seems you have beaten me to the introductions and stolen my thunder," the dowager said in a mock-austere voice.

Katie could swear she saw a twinkle in the elderly woman's eyes.

" Miss Latham , Miss Gowans , and Miss Jeffreys , allow me to introduce you to Sir Jonathan Nelson ."

Lucy smiled at the handsome gentleman, whereas Paula's greeting was north of chilly. Katie wondered if her cousin was still bristling from the "brazen smile" Jonathan had tossed her way earlier or perhaps the rumor about his many mistresses.

Katie took another sip of her lemonade. She was truly feeling better. It was the first time she had gotten through an episode without needing to lie down for an hour. The only reason for the difference, that she could think of, was the presence of Lord Soren , who despite his gallantry, seemed just as mysterious to her as he had from the moment her eyes had met his across the ballroom floor.

The strands of a waltz began, and people began moving around them, making their way to the dance floor.

" I believe this is our dance," Sir Nelson said to the duchess. " Ladies , Soren , Latham . He grinned as he turned to everyone present.

Katie couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she could have sworn Sir Nelson's smile turned almost mocking as his eyes seemed to clash with Paula's cool-eyed glare.

She'd have to ask her cousin about it later.

" You are quite right, kind sir," the dowager said. With unexpected deftness, she deposited her cane next to the chair and took Sir Nelson's extended arm.

" If you feel more yourself, Miss Latham , I should like to claim that dance," Lord Soren said, holding out his arm.

" I am feeling quite restored, and I would like that very much." To her amazement, Katie was looking forward to this dance.

Sebastian gazed down at the beauty in rose pink as he carefully twirled her across the dance floor. While the first few strains of the dance had passed in silence, he sensed no reticence on her part. To his surprise, she seemed much more relaxed than he imagined only minutes ago. If he wasn't careful, he could get lost in those blue eyes. They were an aqua blue—the color of the water near the Isles of Scilly , his favorite place. Chocolate -brown hair pulled back in a loose chignon with crystals woven through the silky strands framed her lovely face. He'd known she was extraordinarily pretty when he saw her arrive with her family, but up close, her beauty put all other English roses to shame.

" T -thank you…" Katie began, with a wobbly smile. She licked her lips, an action he'd seen many experienced older women use as a tactic to gain his attention. But in Miss Latham's case, it was done so innocently and without guile that he had the urge to claim that luscious pink mouth in a passionate kiss.

" Thank you," she said again. " For saving me from what could have been an embarrassing disaster."

" You are a strong young lady, and your cousin and friend were most solicitous…"

She shook her head. " You are being too kind. I fear I would have toppled to the floor and dragged my cousin down with me had you not rushed to my aid, something I can never thank you enough for doing."

" Given my background in the military, I'm familiar with what happened to you." Sebastian yearned to take away the pain and shame he saw reflected in her lovely eyes.

" I'm grateful for your intervention. This is the first—" She paused and took a deep breath. " The first time I've attended a Society function since… Lord Colborne ."

Sebastian realized how vulnerable she was and how trusting to someone who only an hour before had been a stranger. " It's been my experience that when people witness tragic and shocking events, it takes time to heal. This is something I have seen many soldiers go through on the battlefield. Unfortunately , Society has no idea how to deal with the reverberations of it. And the triggers can be difficult to anticipate."

" What you tell me does make sense, although I could never fathom what a soldier goes through in battle. You are incredibly astute in your application of your theory."

" I thank you, Miss Latham . However , I am not the first who has recognized this reaction to a traumatic event." He twirled her around the dance floor. Despite the fainting spell she'd had earlier, Miss Latham moved with the grace of a swan.

" Who is Slice ? Thomas called you that."

He grinned. " It's a nickname I inherited during the war, but please don't ask me to explain it because I'm afraid you will put me to the blush, as you ladies say."

Her smile was impish, and he couldn't help but draw her a little closer as they danced.

" Ah , but now you have piqued my curiosity, you must tell me what it means. Most nicknames have meaning."

" I gained it in the military for my swordsmanship," he replied, saying no more than that. The gruesome and shocking details of his experience in battle were not for the ears of a gently bred young lady, especially someone as sensitive as Miss Latham , who had witnessed the murder of her fiancé barely over a year ago. She looked like she had seen a ghost earlier when he'd offered his assistance. Lady Whiner's pearl fiasco appeared to have triggered Miss Latham's dizzy spell, but did it also trigger a memory?

She gazed up at him. " So , you know how to fence. You must be very good at it to gain a nickname like that."

Warmth shot through him, and Sebastian realized that, once again, Miss Latham had no awareness of the double meaning of what she'd said. His nickname had also been used by his friends and fellow soldiers to tease him about the mistresses he'd had over the years.

" I do. I'm fairly skilled, I suppose one could say." He swallowed at the double meaning in his reply, but the beauty in his arms continued to regard him with wide-eyed innocence. The waltz was nearing an end and Sebastian felt a wave of disappointment that he would have to escort Miss Latham back to her family. He wanted to keep dancing with her, but two dances in a row would have been unseemly. He thought the rules and mores of the ton were ludicrous when one considered the brutality of war.

Keep your eyes on the prize, man! Latham wants you to keep an eye on his sister for her safety. My God , she's a complete innocent.

Sebastian had a job to do, and he would do it. He would keep watch over Miss Latham until the perpetrators of the attack were found.

" Would you mind if I called upon you soon?" he asked. " I will, of course, ask your brother for his permission. But I wanted to make sure you would be amenable to seeing me again before I approached Latham ." The question came out before he could stop it. Damn ! He sounded like a love-sick suitor. Not the smooth approach he'd intended to come across.

Miss Latham's mouth curved up in a bright smile, making her even more beautiful if that was even possible. Nevertheless , her smile made his mouth dry as he once again wondered what it would be like to kiss those luscious lips.

" Thank you. I think I would like that," she said in a soft voice.

When the dance ended, Sebastian escorted Miss Latham back to the chair just as Nelson was returning with the dowager. He leaned down and gently kissed the back of Miss Latham's gloved hand. " Should you ever have need of my assistance, you have only to send for me." He told himself he was helping his friend Latham , but in truth, Sebastian wanted to do anything he could to help her.

She nodded. " That's very kind. I will keep that in mind."

" Thank you for the dance, Miss Latham ." He wished he could have danced at least once more, but the ton had ridiculous rules. The last thing he wanted to do was to make her the recipient of more gossip.

" Thank you, Lord Soren ."

Sebastian was lost in thought as he left Miss Latham with the dowager.

" Be careful," Nelson said, intruding on his thoughts.

" There's nothing to worry about. My interest is strictly professional. I'm merely doing what Latham asked of me."

" Ah . Are you certain?" Nelson persisted.

" I am," Sebastian affirmed. " I behaved toward her as I would any debutante I danced with at a ball."

But is that true?

He had asked to call on her, something he was certain Latham hadn't expected of him. He'd have to explain to Latham his reasoning for it. But first, he'd have to explain it to himself.

I'm not smitten , he told himself. I'm simply concerned about the welfare of a young lady, the sister of a good friend.

He kept telling himself that for the rest of the night.