Promise Me (5 page)

With Katrina, Chase didn’t guard his emotions so closely, and his eyes reflected so much warmth.

How would it feel to be cherished by such a man?

Leah grimaced. What on earth had her thinking such ridiculous thoughts? She wanted nothing from this man. Not one thing.

“
I’m pleased you accepted Katrina’s lunch invitation, Chase,” her father said. “It’s been far too long since you and I have had a chance to visit.”

“
Agreed. After my grandfather died, you gave me good advice on several business matters. I’ve never forgotten that, and I hope I thanked you properly at the time.”

“
I was happy to be of assistance. There was no finer gentleman than Bart, and I was fond of Lord Adrian as well. When he asked for my daughter’s hand--”

“
Father,” Leah interrupted. “Must we speak of this?”

“
It’s quite all right, Miss Sheridan,” the duke stated. “It’s time I moved beyond my brother’s death.”

“
As I’ve told Leah, the pain will lessen over time, but it will never go away completely.” Her father chose the overstuffed chair next to the sofa. “How’s the shipping business?”

“
Doing well, my lord. In fact, I’ve recently hired more workers to run the main warehouse.”

“
I was just a lad when your grandfather started Drake Shipping. A shrewd investor with a nose for success. Rather like you, I’m told.”

“
I’m afraid Gran is slightly biased in that regard.”

Leah eyed the corner clock. “Your Grace, how long do you plan to stay?” Heat flooded her cheeks. “In Kent, I mean.”

His lips curled into a sensuous smile. “Probably not long.”

Relief settled over her.

“
But then again…” He offered a faint shrug. “It could be several months.”

What game are you playing?

Leah wanted to scream the words at him. Or better yet, she’d love to see his smug expression turn to shock when she hurled her teacup at his head. Why did he invoke such brutal thoughts? She wasn’t a violent person. Far from it.

Her gaze unexpectedly drifted to his mouth. Would his kiss be gentle? She sucked in a quick breath. Forceful? A delicate quiver traveled through her body down to her toes, and she almost dropped her cup.

“
The Bal Masque is in two weeks, your Grace,” Kat declared and slung her arm around her father’s neck. “Have you decided to attend?”

“
Would it please you, little one?”

She nodded. “Becca and I make a game of observing the guests from the upstairs landing or sometimes the ballroom balcony. I’m certain we could easily pick you out.”

“
Is that so? Well, I’ll try not to make it too easy.” Chase set his brandy aside, and his attention shifted to Leah. “Am I to receive a formal invitation?”

Can I avoid it?

“
Yes, of course,” she replied.

“
I look forward to it then. Have you decided on a costume?”

“
No, not yet.”

“
You’d make a perfect goddess.”

Leah’s heart thudded.

“
A goddess she’s not,” Kat quipped. “Not with a temper to match Medusa’s.”

“
I am not ill-tempered, little sister.”

“
Sometimes you are.”

Chase laughed. Not with contempt or scorn but with genuine amusement, and he actually smiled. At Leah.

Oh, dear! This will not do.

She stood. “I apologize, your Grace, but I must be going.”

The duke stood as well, confusion blanketing his expression.

She steadied her breathing and glanced at her father. “I’m sorry, but it would be impolite to keep Lady Ashburn waiting any longer.” She turned to the duke. “Your cousin and I made plans for this afternoon, and they cannot be canceled at such a late hour. I’m sure you understand.”

“
Yes, of course. I should take my leave as well.” He bowed to Katrina. “Thank you for inviting me to lunch, Kat. I enjoyed it, and I look forward to visiting with you again.”

She offered a formal curtsey.

Chase’s gaze fell on Leah. “And to you, Miss Sheridan, I offer an apology for my behavior at the Harvest Ball last evening. I’m sure I wasn’t the grand host I should’ve been.”

Suspicion snaked up her backbone.

“
I wonder,” he added, “while I’m in Kent, would you allow me to call on you?”

He couldn’t be serious!

“
That would be delightful,” Katrina declared.

“
Mind your manners, little sister,” Leah admonished.

Her father cleared his throat. “Kat, my love, how would you like your papa to row you across the lake?”

“
But…what about the hunt?”

“
I can spare an hour or two.” He nodded to the duke. “Afternoon, Chase.”

“
Good afternoon, my lord.”

Leah feared the thumping of her heart could be heard in the foyer. Did the duke expect her to fall at his feet? At the very least, he appeared quite confident she wouldn’t turn him down.

She waited until they were alone before she broke the awkward silence. “Your Grace, what you are asking...it’s impossible.”

“
You misunderstood, Miss Sheridan, but perhaps my words were not clear. I merely suggested that if you and I could sort through our memories of Adrian, we might come to terms with his death sooner than expected.”

“
Oh,” she stammered. Had she really thought he’d wanted to court her? “Adrian drew his last breath with his head resting in my lap. I cannot relive that day. How can you even ask?”

“
I ask because I must.”

Tears burned behind Leah’s eyes, and she turned away.

“
Miss Sheridan, you were Adrian’s fiancée.”

His hands rested lightly upon her shoulders, creating a crescendo of shivers. Each one raced through her body with incredible speed, leaving warmth in places where there’d only been a numbing chill before.

What is wrong with me?

“
You knew my brother better than most. Better than me or my grandmother.” He turned her to face him and gently lifted her chin. “You cannot run from his memory forever.”

Afraid of her emotions, as well as his touch, Leah backed away.

Chase seemed disappointed. “We both cared for Adrian. Perhaps together--”

“
You made it clear last evening what you thought of me.”

“
I treated you unfairly. My only excuse is that I was still in shock. I beg your forgiveness now, Miss Sheridan. It was never my intention to force you to relive that terrible day, but I had hoped that at some point you would begin to live again, because sadness does not belong in such beautiful green eyes.”

Heavens!

A woman could lose her heart, soul, and possibly her virtue, in the presence of such a man.

Get your head out of the clouds, girl.

Adrian’s flirtations had been harmless. Chase was dangerous.

“
Can we not be friends?” he implored.

Friends?

The seductive spell he’d cast only moments before broke like the shattering of thin glass.

Friends, of course. How foolish of her to think…what? That he might’ve entertained thoughts of her as a woman instead of his dead brother’s fiancée? Guilt pricked her conscience. Why did it matter what this man thought?

Did he offer compassion or pity? The latter, most likely.

The cold numbness returned, encasing her heart as well as her tone. “I appreciate the kind words, your Grace, but if it’s pity you wish to dole out, I want no part of it.” She marched to the door and held it wide. “I bid you good day.”

###

Still burning from the curt dismissal, Nicolas trailed the Greyson carriage to Cambridge Town where it halted briefly at a printing shop before moving on to the Imperial Inn.

He reigned in his chestnut and waited in the shadows of a nearby building as the driver unpinned the carriage steps. Miss Sheridan alighted first then assisted Anne. Both women disappeared inside the inn.

This was foolish. What had he expected? A clandestine meeting?

Leah Sheridan and his cousin were on a simple shopping excursion. Except it was now close to dark, and most ladies planned such events in the morning hours or early afternoon.

Nicolas sighed. The fault lay at his feet. Their trip had been delayed because he’d duped Katrina into inviting him to lunch.

###

Leah knocked lightly on the door to room six. “Miss Santiago?”

Anne glanced down the narrow hallway. “Are you sure this is the room?”

“
The proprietress said number six.”

“
Perhaps she made a mistake.”

Leah knocked again.

Finally the door opened to a narrow crack. “Miss Sheridan?”

“
Yes. Who are you?”

The door opened wider to reveal a slender young woman with unruly auburn curls and red, swollen eyes. “Please, miss. Come inside.”

Anne urged Leah into the room and closed the door.

Exhaustion lined the girl’s face. “I’m Polly. Edwin’s wet nurse.”

“
Miss Santiago never mentioned hiring you.”

“
She paid me no coin, miss. Just room and board.”

“
That sounds like our Spanish trollop,” Anne quipped. “Where is she?”

“
Gone. She sold the cottage and all the furnishings last evening. Left me and the lad with nothing but this room for this evening.” She pointed to the bed. “And him more sick than I’ve ever seen.”

Horrified, Leah rushed to the bed. Edwin slept on his side with his thumb partially in his mouth. She leaned close. “His breathing sounds ragged.” She touched his brow before turning to Anne. “He’s burning up with fever.”

“
Been sick since yesterday,” Polly explained. “That’s when she sent you the note, miss. I tried to nurse him, but he keeps nothing down.”

“
Why haven’t you sent for the doctor?” Leah inquired.

“
I begged Miss Santiago to do so, and she promised, but the doctor never came. I’ve no money of my own. I was told to stay in this room, and a lady would come for the child, so that’s what I done. I’d almost given up on you, miss.”

“
Where’s your child?” Anne inquired.

Polly hung her head. “Stillborn, milady.”

Leah touched the girl’s arm. “I’m terribly sorry for your loss but I wonder, would you continue your employment with me?”

“
Leah, you cannot--”

“
I am well aware of the impropriety, Anne, but Edwin’s health is more important. Please, Polly, if you could--”

“
I’m sorry, miss. As fond as I am of the lad, I cannot stay.” She picked up a worn gray satchel from the floor. “I’ve a sister in Dover who’s expecting me.”

“
If you were never paid, how is it you have money for travel?” Anne inquired.

“
I’ll be making the journey as I always do, my lady. I’ll be walking.”

“
No, you will not.” Leah opened her reticule and withdrew a stack of pound notes. She handed them to Polly along with several coins. “I cannot thank you enough for what you’ve done for Edwin, but perhaps this will help.”

“
Bless you, miss.” Genuine tears of gratitude filled the young woman’s eyes. “You’ve a generous heart.” She stuffed the money down the front of her bodice and snatched a worn cloak from the foot of the bed. “You’ll care for the lad?”

“
I will but before you depart Cambridge Town, would you fetch a doctor to this room?”

“
Of course, miss. I can see you’re a proper lady, but a child such as Edwin needs care more than most. He’s special…and the dearest little boy. Promise me, miss…promise you won’t discard him like last year’s fancy gown.”

Tears welled in Leah’s eyes. “I promise.”

###

Nicolas stood in the
Standard’s
lobby outside the editor’s office, his hat in one hand. He withdrew his pocket watch. Six fifteen. Half an hour had passed since he’d first entered the brownstone, but patience had never been his strongest trait.

He glared at the secretary who pretended to straighten a stack of papers on his desk. “Mister Davenport, will I be granted an audience with Mister Turnbull before bedtime, or am I merely keeping you company?”

“
I apologize, your Grace, but at the moment my employer is overwhelmed. Perhaps you could come back tomorrow.”

Frustrated, Nicolas headed for the editor’s office.

Davenport rushed to intervene. “Your Grace, I must insist you wait here.”

“
If you don’t remove yourself from between me and that door, you’ll be spending the next week in bed. And it will not be in the pleasure of a woman’s embrace.”

Davenport’s face reddened, but he held his ground. “I understand your impatience, but Mister Turnbull makes the rules, and those rules cannot be broken.”

“
No? Well, let’s see if you feel the same about your pointed nose.”