“I didn’t realize that was an option.”
The conversation turned to the Clarence ball. “I had hoped to dance again with you,” Lord Soren said.
“I would have liked that as well. But surely that would have set the tongues wagging,” Katie said, enjoying the light, happy feeling she was experiencing. A feeling she hadn’t felt for a long time. And yet, she also felt conflicted because she was experiencing it with another man—something she hadn’t even considered would be possible after Wendel. They had fit together like a glove—best friends and confidants. A small part of her heart twisted at the thought of him. Wendel would always have a place in her heart, but for her peace of mind, she could no longer live in the past. Her family was right. She had to work harder to move forward with her life. Perhaps by doing so, she could conquer the bad dreams and dizzy spells and finally let go of the guilt that had weighed on her shoulders for the past year.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
She turned and realized Lord Soren had been watching her, his eyes like brown velvet.
“I was just woolgathering,” she said with a nervous smile. “I wanted to thank you again for your gallantry at the ball. I was frozen. Terrified. I could barely walk. But you came to my rescue. Calm. Focused. Just hearing your voice and looking into your eyes helped me get through my distress.”
“You are very welcome. I’m glad I was there to render assistance.” He smiled. “And perhaps we can dispense with titles? Please call me Sebastian. May I call you Katie?”
Katie’s smile widened. His voice sounded like velvet too if that were even possible. “Yes. I would like that.”
He inclined his head. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“No, I don’t mind Lor—Sebastian.”
“Do you believe they are still out there? They, being the thieves.”
She took a deep breath. “I do,” she admitted. “Do you?”
He shrugged. “I truly don’t know. But I think you do. And that’s what matters.”
She closed her eyes, and a tear escaped. “Yes. I wish I could remember their faces. It was all such a blur. Everyone is determined I move past it. I want to as well, but it is not a simple thing to do. I can certainly distract myself during the day, but at night, I have dreams. It feels like I know something, but I don’t know what that is.”
Sebastian was silent for a moment. “But what if your dreams are trying to tell you something? Have you tried to draw the images that you dream—the faces, place, and whatever you are seeing—when you awaken?”
“I’ve written things down in a diary, but unfortunately drawing is not a talent of mine.” She nibbled her lip. “But Paula has a true gift for sketching, and I am certain she would help me if I asked.”
Sebastian touched her gloved hand. “Good. If she can draw what you see in your dreams, maybe we can get a clearer picture of who these people are.”
“Do you mean you’ll help me?”
“Of course, I will help. In any way I can.”
For the first time in a year, Katie felt a glimmer of hope. She knew there were no assurances. But she owed it to Wendel’s memory to try. Just thinking about it made something shift inside her heart and she realized she felt a little lighter of spirit. “I want to do this.”
“Excellent,” Sebastian said. “I see Gunter’s ahead. I hope you and Millie are ready for some refreshment.”
Katie wanted to ask about fencing lessons but decided she needed to let the dowager speak with him first in case that was her intention. But she felt lighter inside for the first time in a long time. “We would enjoy that, wouldn’t we, Millie?”
“Yes, ma’am. Very much so.” Millie smiled, and her brown eyes danced.
Possibly because of the chilly weather, they could not find a place where Millie could sit apart from them so they could talk in private. She felt compelled to tell him about her dream. “I had mentioned discussing something with you earlier,” she started, hoping he would attach these comments to the note she had sent him. “Perhaps we could speak another time?”
“I agree. That sounds like a good idea.” He smiled. “There are some things one cannot discuss in public.”
Two hours later, they returned to the townhouse, and Katie felt replete. The hot chocolate had warmed her, and she could still taste its rich flavor. Sebastian assisted Katie and Millie from the carriage.
“I trust you had a pleasant time?”
“Yes, truly, it was a delightful outing.”
He regarded her for a moment in silence, his eyes as dark as the chocolate she’d enjoyed at Gunter’s. A part of her wanted to lose herself in that dark, intense gaze, and a part of her didn’t know what to think or do, so befuddled she was.
“Take me to En Garde,” Sebastian told the driver when he returned to his carriage.
