PROLOGUE
October 1818
London, England
Viscount Thomas Latham gazed down at the woman in his arms as he twirled her about the dance floor. She was the most exquisite creature he had ever beheld. She looked up at him and his heart hitched.Frankie.Never had anyone stirred him more than this woman—and it had been that way since he’d first laid eyes on her less than a fortnight ago. He’d just exited his townhouse when he spotted the stunning young woman across the street, alighting from a carriage. He’d found out later who she was and that she’d just arrived for the Season with her aunt and uncle. He recalled she wore a yellow-and-white striped dress with a blue pelisse and matching hat. Golden curls framed her lovely face. She was the most exquisite creature he had ever beheld.
The Season’s most anticipated event was the Duke and Duchess of Clarence’s ball. When she stepped into the ballroom wearing a sapphire blue gown, the light from the chandeliers cast an almost angelic halo on her. She very nearly took his breath away. Her aunt and uncle were not much older than he was and so he wasted no time introducing himself and asking Frankie for a dance.
Lost in thought, he barely noticed the orchestra had ceased playing until he realized people were leaving the dance floor.
“Lord Latham?” Frankie asked softly.
“Please, call me Thomas.”
“All right, Thomas.” She smiled, her cheeks dimpling. “Is something amiss?”
“No, why do you ask?”
“Because you’re looking at me as though I’ll disappear at any moment.”
“Can you blame me? You look like an angel come to life. Or perhaps a fairy princess." He grinned.
“I am neither of those things, just a young woman who is thoroughly enjoying dancing with the most handsome man in the room.” She grinned back.
“Come, I feel the urge to stretch my legs. Would you step into the garden with me?” Thomas asked.
“I should let Aunt Daphne know. She and Uncle Richard are here somewhere,” Frankie said, craning her neck to see above the crowd.
“I see them on the other side of the dance floor,” Thomas said, pointing to the attractive young couple.
“Yes, I see them now.” She caught her aunt’s eye and waved. “I suppose we could go out for a few minutes for some fresh air,” Frankie said.
“It’s a beautiful night, and I’d love nothing better than to hold you beneath the stars.”
“I had no idea you were such a romantic,” Frankie said, tapping him playfully with her fan.
“No one’s ever called me a romantic, but perhaps I’m simply inspired by your winsome beauty.”
“Oh my, do you say that to all the young ladies?”
“Only the ones who look like fairy princesses.”
The room was crowded, and he snuggly looped her arm through his as they walked toward the French doors. Several couples stood on the balcony, breathing in the air, fragranced by white roses blooming around the perimeter. Hanging lamps strung along the fence posts cast an almost ethereal glow on the flowers.
“The lamplight makes the garden that much more beautiful,” she said, echoing his thoughts.
Squeezing her hand gently, he pointed to an ivy-covered arbor in a well-lit corner of the garden that had just been vacated. “I came out for air earlier and if I’m not mistaken, that spot is the most popular place on the grounds.”
“Goodness! Should we?”
“The garden is well-lit, and couples are everywhere. Should we consider this night to be the beginning of our courtship?”
“Very well, but if my aunt and uncle come out here and see us, you’ll have to get down on bended knee,” she teased.
“I would offer for you without a moment’s hesitation,” he said fervently.
“Oh, hush! I was teasing. This place is lit up almost as brightly as the ballroom. In any case, I quite like your notion about courting, and I want to savor each moment spent with you. Besides, we have all the time in the world. Now, sit,” she said, patting the seat as she sat down.
