PROLOGUE

Manhattan, New York

April, 1901

Jack Sullivan had been anything but boring in his pursuit of Katherine Moore. And although time and again the Pearl Street druggist's sixteen year old daughter had dismissed his advances with an eye roll, she had still found something strangely charismatic and endearing about the former Manhattan newsboy. It had certainly helped that he had readily offered her compliments, detailing her beauty and singular charm, while also slipping in mention of his brave leadership role in the citywide newsboys' strike two years prior. But she had only laughed at these flashy attempts to woo her, ending the interaction with a clearly resounding "no" each time. As the weeks went on,however, even she could not deny the smile that began to grow on her lips when he would appear with more of the same.

Katherine's mother and father had also taken notice of Jack's sudden interest in their eldest daughter, and had not been shy in showing their displeasure. There had been condemnatory "tuts" from her mother, Effie, in response to her daughter's spirited banter with the ragged-looking boy, and stern stares from her mustached father, Edward, at the sight of Jack loitering around their family pharmacy. But because of Katherine's natural inclination toward independence, and her parent's long-standing history of poor supervision, Jack was allowed to continue his pursuit with little to no real deterrence.

Katherine had noted her parent's unease with Jack. But, as the weeks had gone by, she had found herself unable to stop thinking about the handsome nineteen year old. And there he had been, day after day, not giving her a chance to forget. Thus, Jack Sullivan eventually received the answer he had been seeking, unbeknownst to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, and a deal had been struck between himself and Katherine. She had agreed to give the Manhattaner a few hours of her time, and in return, Jack would finally leave her be if she still remained wholly unimpressed afterward.

So on a warm, though breezy April day, Jack had led the way to a restaurant named Tibby's, a gentlemanly manner in his air as he had suavely opened the door for his lovely date.

"Ey, Katie, what doya wanna eat?"

Jack had boisterously smiled at the pretty green-eyed girl as he had posed his query, a hesitant smirk appearing on Katherine's lips in turn.

She had cocked an eyebrow before coyly stating, "I thought I told you that I'm not fond of nicknames." But upon noting his charming wink in response, she had rolled her eyes and continued, "And I didn't know you were planning on treating me to lunch. That is surprisingly thoughtful of you."

His smile had been unwavering as he had replied, "Only the best for you, dollface."

She had chuckled slightly to herself, musing, "I suppose I can stay for a short lunch. I am quite a fan of the roast beef here."

At that, Jack had smoothly replied, "Roast beef it is then." And upon walking up to the counter, he had quickly pulled some clanking change from his pockets to make their order.

Katherine had remained behind, somewhat unsure of herself, especially when she had suddenly noted the dozen or so pairs of eyes peering curiously at her from all corners of the room. They were all unfamiliar faces, though most looked as Jack did-with mismatched clothing and unkempt hair. But it was the ink stains on their hands that led Katherine to assume they too were in the "pape business" as Jack had called it. Their stares were somewhat unnerving, but not completely unfriendly. So, Katherine had finally managed a small smile in response, nodding her head in salutation.

Yet after turning around to check on Jack's progress, the dark-haired girl found herself smacking face first into a shockingly solid form. She had quickly backed away, a look of annoyance on her face from the unexpected collision. But upon lifting her gaze to irritably confront the thoughtless soul at fault, her mouth had closed of its own accord at the sight of the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.

She noticed their striking cerulean hue, and the pride and strength that reflected in their depths. The boy's mouth was twisted harshly into his own look of annoyance but quickly softened to a light scowl, revealing an even more attractive face. Katherine watched him eye her with curiosity, looking to her wide stare and then slowly taking in the rest of her body. His more in-depth observation had secured an unexpected blush from the awe-struck girl, but before she had been able to speak, the handsome stranger had straightened his hat and muttered, "'Scuse me."

She had shaken her head, attempting to rid herself of the involuntary coma that had seemed to suddenly set in. And strangely her eyes had continued to follow his form as he had sat at a table by himself. Several "hellos" and "heyas" had been directed towards him, but he had merely tipped his cap at all of it, unaffected by the loudness and attention.

However, Katherine's own attention had been taken again by Jack's swift moving arm around her waist as he had pulled her over to the very table the boy had settled at.

"Heya, Spot," Jack had said, smiling good-naturedly as the boy, Spot, had looked up at the pair before him. He had nodded to Jack in salutation, then had turned his attention to Katherine, a smirk on his lips and a spark in his eyes.

"Why Jacky-boy, is this the girl you've been blabberin' about all these weeks? The one that won't give ya' the time a' day?"

Jack shook his head, shooting a sheepish look in Katherine's direction and shrugging. But Katherine only rolled her eyes, sticking her hand out immediately toward Spot and saying, "I'm actually quite capable of speaking for myself, thank you. My name is Katherine Moore. It's a pleasure to meet you, Spot."

Spot's eyes widened somewhat in surprise before he gently took her hand, pulsed it and murmured, "Most girls seem ta think so, doll."

Katherine had squinted in mild distaste as Spot and Jack had shared a knowing chuckle. But before she had been able to say one challenging word in response, Spot's attention had turned quickly back to Jack as he had said, "Y'know, it took ya forever ta get 'er here, Jack. Ya might wanna make sure she stays…"

Spot's eyes had flashed to the chair Katherine had been standing next to, causing Jack to clumsily pull the seat out for her. And though she had immediately taken her place at the table-thanking Jack for his politeness-Katherine had continued to stare perplexedly at the handsome boy across from her.

The three had sat there in thoughtful silence for several moments until their food had come. And then slowly they had settled into one another's company for what was only an hour, but happened to be just long enough for Katherine to glean a clearer picture of her two tablemates. While Jack and Spot had waxed on about their various borough triumphs and struggles, Katherine had come to realize that the leanly-built, blue-eyed boy in front of her was none other than the Spot Conlon of Brooklyn labor union fame. And suddenly, all of the surrounding details had begun to make sense-from the reverent stares that were shot out of all corners of the room toward the two boys, to the easy comradery Jack and Spot had seemed to share in turn.

What Katherine did not see, however, was the way that Spot's striking gaze had intently surveyed her every move that day. Or the covetous spark that reflected in those clear blue eyes.

Katherine had been intrigued by Jack Sullivan, yes. But, more importantly, she had been enticed by what world of freeing possibilities had lain before her in succumbing to his advances. The unspoken, and somewhat enigmatic tension simmering at the table that day had been visceral. And perhaps it was Katherine's seemingly unquenchable search for freedom that had set things into the irreversible motion that had resulted shortly thereafter. But it would take the events of the next four years-as well as the much greater tragedy that was just beginning to unfold for Katherine-to truly define how their three separate paths would eventually become entwined.