Sebastian stride was quicker than normal. It wasn't like Katie to disappear into a crowd of people, especially at a party. Sebastian searched over the heads of the guest, looking for Katie's braided hair. A young beautiful girl wasn't typically too hard to spot. Sebastian stopped in his tracks. What was he thinking? That child was nothing more than a co-worker. That was all their relationship consisted of. Sebastian straightened his suit and continued to move through the crowd, moving past people like a hot knife through butter.
Something suddenly caught Sebastian's eye.
A bright sea green dress among the plain colors of the party.
Katie.
Sebastian rushed over to the scene. He paused for a moment as he drew closer. Katie's calm but troubled face was the first thing he saw. The second thing he noticed was her ex-butler, Alfred, holding her against his chest. Katie's position denied her the option to fight back or retreat. It was no wonder why she looked slightly panicked.
"Well for being a woman who doesn't like to get involved with men," Sebastian said loudly, hoping to catch the couple's attention. "You certainly know how to catch one."
Katie's blue eyes glanced at him for a second but her attention immediately when back to Alfred. The ex-butler gave Sebastian an award winning smile.
"Ah, Sebastian, wasn't it?" Alfred asked politely. "Can I help you with something?"
Sebastian returned his grin.
"I need to borrow Katherine for a while," he said smoothly. "So do you mind releasing her?"
Alfred's arms constricted around Katie for a second, making her flinch either out of discomfort or pain. The ex-butler's forehead touched hers and Katie struggled against his hold.
"There's no need to move around so much, Milady," Alfred jeered. "I'll let you go."
His arms slid down her back and finally to his sides. Katie took a step back, eye burning with hatred.
"You should know better than to touch me so lightly," she spat at him.
Alfred grinned suddenly as if the thought was amusing. Kate saw it and moved over towards Sebastian.
Her co-worker sighed and took her hand.
"Honestly, Katherine," Sebastian said softly. "I don't know why you like getting into these kinds of situations."
He gently pulled her after him until she stopped.
"What is it, Katherine?" he demanded.
Sebastian turned around to face the problem. He stared at Alfred who had grabbed her free hand and held her until she stopped.
"I forgot something, Mistress," he announced, his brown eyes glistening in the light.
Katie simply stared at him in shock. Alfred must have taken it as a yes because he pulled her close and gave her a firm kiss. He pulled away before Katie could respond.
"I pray you find a good husband before tomorrow, Milady," he finished, giving Sebastian a confidant smirk.
Katie blinked then yanked her hand out of Sebastian's. She walked past him, her pace quicker than normal. Sebastian smiled and sped up to her, wrapping a hand around her waist. She pulled away from him but Sebastian's hand refused to move.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
Sebastian slid closer to his prey.
"Relax," he cooed. "I've noticed that you tend to disappear and get captured by unwanted men. If we walk like this, people will assume that I am your escort and will not approach."
Katie's unquenched anger still bubbled but she looked away from the butler, trying to keep herself reasonably calm.
"Do as you wish," she replied.
Sebastian beamed and walked in sync with Katie. He gracefully guided her away from the party and towards the garden. It had been picked at all afternoon. Finnian had suggested the garden after considering that Katie always would swoon over the roses. The air outside was drastically cooler than inside. Katie didn't seem to be bothered by it. If anything it was good for her temper. The last thing Sebastian needed was to make her irritated at him.
"He's an embarrassment to nature," Katie groaned as they walked.
Sebastian paused for a moment, releasing her waist. He spotted Katie wiping her lips on the back of her hand. A streak of red across her hand caught his attention. Sebastian caught her hand and examined it.
"I don't remember you wearing lipstick, Katherine," he stated.
Katie touched her lips carefully then moaned.
"He bit me," she growled. "I should have known."
Sebastian gently slid his hand along her jaw, making her look up at him.
"Let me see," he said somewhat firmly.
Sure enough, right by the corner of her mouth, her lower lip was smeared with blood. It was a small wound but a wound never the less.
"It's almost a crime," Sebastian mumbled before he caught himself.
"He's always been too rough," Katie confirmed.
Sebastian glanced at her. Her expression was complicated, a mixture between hurt, hatred and sadness. Sebastian raised her head a little high and she looked up at him. He touched the corner of her mouth gently.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, making sure his voice was full of compassion.
Katie's mixed emotion died instantly in her eyes.
"No," she replied. "He did this a lot when he served me."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"He hurt you regularly?" he inquired.
Katie pulled Sebastian's hand away from her face and turned around; apparently ready to continue their walk.
"He's purposefully made sure that I'd get some sort of injury and would fawn over me the rest of the day," she said.
Her voice was firm but it wavered as she walked. Sebastian cocked his head to one side as he followed her.
"Why didn't you just tell him to stop?" he asked.
Katie shrugged.
"It was just. . ." she paused, searching for words. "Normal I guess."
A light breeze jostled her plated hair and a few fly-away hairs escaped. As the wind calmed, her loose hair fell around her face and neck. Sebastian smirked as Katie rambled on with her explanation.
"After my father started to get angry with me, Alfred kind of became something like an older brother," she said carefully. "As I got older, the routines got annoying and his behavior towards me became improper. Even now, when I have cut all ties with him, he still acts the same way he did when I was younger."
Sebastian gently grabbed her shoulders and at his touch she froze in her tracks.
"Did he actually care about you, Katherine?" he said in a hushed voice. "No matter what happens, a butler must prioritize the safety of his master above everything else."
Katie was quiet for a moment then her head drooped.
"I don't know," she said quietly.
She shifted her weight to one leg and Sebastian smiled softly. He wrapped his arms around her small shoulders and pulled her against his chest. Her back fit perfectly against him. She tensed up for a moment but Sebastian merely rested his head against hers. Katie relaxed but still remained a bit stiff.
"You're alright," he encouraged softly. "You are a strong young woman, who on a number of occasions, have laughed in the face of death."
Katie took a ragged breath and grabbed Sebastian's sleeve with a shaky hand.
"Calm down," Sebastian continued quietly. "The young master has a plan in mind. He hasn't led us astray yet has he?"
Katie shook her head and Sebastian slowly released her. She turned around and looked up at the butler, her expression slightly confused. Sebastian stroked her cheek gently, caressing her pale skin with the back of his hand.
"Then don't worry," he smiled. "I will keep an eye on you."
Katie frowned and folded her arms defiantly in front of her chest.
"Why would I want you to keep an eye on me?" she threw at him.
Sebastian couldn't help but grin.
"I forgot that you don't honestly care about your health," he teased.
Katie smacked his grabby hand away and threatened him with her bright blue eyes.
"I take proper care of myself, thank you very much," she spat at him.
Sebastian took her hand in his and led her back towards the mansion.
"Of course, of course," he chuckled. "Forgive me. Now let's get you inside before you catch a cold. The young master will be upset with both of us if you were to be ill tomorrow."