Promise Me (2 page)

“
Yes.”

“
Then why aren’t you downstairs pestering Father to read you a pirate story?”

“
Because he sent me to fetch you.”

“
Oh?”

Kat placed her hands on her hips. “Have you forgotten the Harvest Ball?”

Leah sighed. No, she hadn’t. But how could she pretend to enjoy a festive evening at Chase Manor with so many reminders of Adrian Drake in every corner of the grand ballroom?

“
Should I tell Papa you’ve a headache?” Katrina offered.

“
No, I’m fine, dearest. I’ll be down shortly.”

Kat turned to go but changed her mind. “I miss Lord Adrian as well. He brought me chocolates and made you laugh.”

“
Yes, he did, and we’ll cherish those memories forever. Now run along before Father comes looking for us both.”

Her sister still hesitated.

“
I’ll be right behind you.”

“
Very well. I’ll let Papa know.”

Alone again, Leah gathered the sheet from the floor and draped it over the dressmaker’s dummy before departing the room and heading downstairs.

Katrina sat at the bottom of the stairs while their father paced the foyer.

He glanced up. “Ah, there you are, Leah. I thought you’d forgotten me.”

“
I’m sorry I kept you waiting, Father. I was in the middle of something and neglected the time.”

“
In the middle of what, my dear?”

“
Nothing that would interest you, my lord.” She stepped around her sister to kiss her father’s cheek. “How handsome you look in your black dinner attire. Does he not, Kat?”

“
Papa is the most handsome gentleman in all of England.”

“
And I thank my lovely daughters for their unbiased opinions.” He scrutinized Leah’s appearance. “Have I been tightfisted with your clothing allowance?”

“
No, of course not. Why do you ask?”

“
I seem to recall you wore this turquoise gown on the evening I announced your betrothal to Lord Adrian.”

Unease swirled inside her stomach. Would anyone else notice? It was far too late to change.

“
Perhaps you’re mistaken, Father.”

“
No, he’s not,” Kat insisted.

Leah threw her sister a warning glance.

“
I cannot understand it,” his lordship declared. “You and Lady Ashburn spend an entire day at the dressmaker’s each month, and yet I haven’t received a bill in over a year.”

“
Nothing caught my interest.”

“
No, these days it’s expensive jewelry.”

Because jewelry is easier to exchange for coin.

“
I received a rather large bill from Markham’s last week,” her father added. “For a ruby broach, but I’ve yet to inspect the thing.”

Leah turned away. “The clasp broke, and I sent it back for repair.” She despised lies. “I’m sorry, Father. I didn’t realize I’d spent so much.”

“
This isn’t about money, child. If I thought fancy baubles and trinkets would erase the misery I see in your lovely green eyes, I’d buy you a treasure chest full of them.”

“
You shouldn’t worry. I’m fine.”

“
Are you, my dear?”

She forced a smile.

He sighed. “You know, if you wish to avoid unnecessary reminders of Lord Adrian’s death, you should cease those weekly visits to the cemetery. It’s unhealthy.” His attention turned to Kat. “Young lady, should you not be abed?”

“
But, Papa...”

He raised a brow.

“
Yes, Papa.” Katrina stood and, with a loud sigh, stomped back up the stairs, her dark curls bouncing against her shoulders with each exaggerated step.

“
Good night, little sister,” Leah called but received no response.

She tucked her hand inside the crook of her father’s elbow, and they strolled toward the main door.

“
It’s been over a year now,” he said low. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

For the whispers or the open stares?

“
No,” she replied honestly. “But I’m determined not to spoil your evening.”

“
You could never do that.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m told the duke has finally returned home.”

“
Adrian’s brother?”

He nodded.

Leah didn’t know much about Nicolas Drake. She’d met him once about eight years ago. His dark gaze had rested on her briefly before dismissing her altogether. Enough time for her to form an unflattering opinion of the gentleman. Stuffy and quite boring. A man concerned with business matters only.

The butler opened the door and stepped aside.

“
Try to enjoy yourself this evening,” his lordship whispered in her ear. “And you might wish to be more generous with that beautiful smile of yours.”

“
I’ll do my very best, Father.”

###

Nicolas opened the doors leading onto the balcony attached to his bedroom. The haunting melody of a slow waltz invaded upon the evening’s peacefulness. The Harvest Ball had begun. He strolled onto the balcony and sucked in a breath of fresh air. It wasn’t long before voices drifted up from the garden below.

As the couple came into view, Nicolas backed into the shadows.

“
Irma Crandle is insufferable,” the man declared.

“
A dreadful creature,” his female companion agreed. “But her gossip column...” She giggled. “Well, it’s quite entertaining, wouldn’t you agree?”

“
If you enjoy malicious scandal. My sympathies are with poor Miss Sheridan. The grief she’s endured this past year could not have been easy.”

“
My lord, Miss Sheridan isn’t plagued with grief. She’s overcome with guilt.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
In a childish tantrum she fled Chase Manor during a wicked storm knowing full well Lord Adrian would follow.”

“
A simple lovers’ quarrel.”

“
Simple? No. Not when you consider it was Lord Adrian who ended their betrothal.”

“
What causes you to suspect Lord Adrian ended it?” the man inquired.

“
Lady Chase’s cook is cousin to my sister’s housekeeper and on that tragic afternoon, she swears she heard Miss Sheridan question her fiancé’s lack of honor. So--”

“
I see where you’re going with this, my dear, but it’s pure speculation. No matter what the servants heard, the fact remains that only two people know for certain what occurred that day.”

“
Yes, and one is quite dead, isn’t he?”

After the two disappeared beneath his balcony and into the library, fragments of their conversation echoed inside Nicolas’ mind.

What had Adrian and his fiancée argued about? Had he dissolved their betrothal? Had Leah Sheridan caused his brother’s death? Of the few letters Adrian had written, each had professed his undying love for the woman he’d asked to share his life. Nicolas knew better than to believe every thread of gossip, but if there was a question concerning his brother’s death, he wanted it resolved.

The waltz ended on a lingering note, and a round of applause burst through the ballroom’s open windows. Nicolas estimated he had about half an hour before Gran sent a servant for him.

Adrian loved music, and his skill on the dance floor was unmatched.

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves of a nearby tree. He could almost sense his brother’s presence. Or perhaps it was merely wishful thinking.

Movement along the ledge of the balcony caught his attention as a feline shadow with two glowing yellow orbs crept toward him.

“
Hello, Winston. Did Gran send you for me?”

As the sound of an expert violinist began, the black cat jumped into a nearby lounge chair and curled up. Obviously he didn’t care to be social.

“
I understand completely,” Nicolas stated.

He was about to head back inside his room when he heard the door to the library opening again. Out of curiosity, he leaned over the balcony. And just as if he’d made a request to the heavens, a slender goddess in shimmering turquoise strolled into the moonlit gardens below.

###

Painful memories overwhelmed Leah here in the stillness of the gardens, but inside the packed ballroom she hadn’t been able to breathe. Every pitiful glance wounded her pride or turned her stomach.

“
Good evening, my lady.”

Startled, she whirled around.

A tall gentleman stood in the doorway to the library, his features in shadow. “I apologize if I frightened you. It was not my intention.”

His smooth tone melted into the calm night, awakening a distant portion of a childhood memory. He walked beneath the gaslight, and her breath caught.

In his black evening attire, the Duke of Chase cut a fine figure. His handsome face with firm chin and straight nose rivaled the sculptured Gods in his grandmother’s garden, and his dark hair and eyes complimented his chiseled yet devilish features.

Leah steadied her nerves. “Good evening, your Grace.”

His brow arched. “Have we met?”

“
Yes, although it was many years ago.”

He strolled up to her, his smile dazzling. “I must admit, you’ve piqued my curiosity, Miss..?”

Leah drew a labored breath. “Sheridan.”

The playful expression in his eyes changed in dramatic fashion. “Ah, yes. My brother’s one true love.” His gaze slid down her figure, lingering in several conspicuous places, before returning to her face. “You are exactly as Adrian described. But how could I have forgotten such beauty?”

She should be mortified by his intense scrutiny. Or at least offended. Instead, it made her tremble. “I was rather young when we last met.”

“
Nevertheless...” Chase tipped his head to one side, his eyes mocking the sincerity in his voice. “I can well imagine why Adrian asked you to be his bride.”

Did he mean to humiliate her? She wasn’t sure. His cold demeanor only proved what others no doubt thought. That she caused Adrian’s death.

Leah’s throat tightened, and she turned away. “I never tire of this spectacular garden. After a gentle rain, it smells heavenly.”

“
There’s a stone bench located in the center near the fountain. It’s one of my grandmother’s favorite places.”

“
Yes, I know.”

“
But are you aware the Greek statues were Adrian’s idea?”

Leah turned. The duke’s close proximity unnerved her, and she backed away, restoring the comfortable space between them.

He smiled at the obvious act of cowardice. “You don’t care to speak of my brother, do you, Miss Sheridan?”

“
No. It’s...the accident is still rather difficult.”

“
Especially since the two of you argued that afternoon.” He inched forward. “Why did Adrian break your engagement?”

“
What? Where did you hear--”

“
He
did
break the engagement, did he not?”

“
No,” she replied but offered no further explanation.

“
I realize my brother died more than a year ago, Miss Sheridan, but to me it occurred only this morning, and I have every right to question the last person to see him alive.”

Leah bit her lip to keep from crying. “I’m sorry, your Grace.” She slipped past him. “But I neglected to properly greet your grandmother.”

“
Running away again, Miss Sheridan?”

She halted and turned. “I cannot keep you from tossing poisonous darts in my direction, but do not expect me to stand and applaud when they hit the mark.”

“
Point taken.” He casually approached. “It was wrong of me to insinuate any misconduct on your part, but it does not escape my thoughts that if Adrian hadn’t ridden after you that afternoon…”

“
He would still be alive? Yes. Do you honestly believe I’ve forgotten that?”

He studied her for several seconds. “I’m afraid I don’t know you well enough to answer that question.”

“
No, I suppose not. It really doesn’t matter though, does it? Adrian
is
dead, and I cannot change that.” She sighed. “I realize you must think very little of me, your Grace, so I’ll save you the trouble of forced pleasantries. After this evening, we need never speak again.”

Bitterness flashed in his eyes. “You think to dismiss my questions as quickly as you dismissed my brother’s death?”

“
Dismissed?” Anger flushed her cheeks. “You know nothing about me, yet you stand there and deliver judgment?”

His tense expression relaxed. “Again, my apologies, Miss Sheridan. Can we not be civil to one another?”

“
I believe I’ve been most civil.”

“
Then perhaps I should have said honest.”

“
You want honesty?” A dull ache vibrated inside her chest. “Why did your brother feel your shipping business meant more to you than your family?”

His expression turned emotionless. So did the tone of his voice. “If Adrian had grown tired of managing this estate, he would’ve mentioned it in one of his letters.”