Promise Me (7 page)

“
Thank you for paying,” he quipped with a grin. “About the lad’s family--will they place him in one of those horrible institutions for children?”

“
No. I swear to you they will not.”

With a slight nod, he set his hat upon his head and departed.

As the door closed softly, Anne turned to Leah. “Neither you nor I referred to Edwin by name, yet the doctor did. I suspect he’s taken care of the child before.”

Leah stared at the closed door. “Then why did he not mention it?”

###

As Nicolas approached the blacksmith shop, a servant wearing Greyson livery stood beside the carriage while two men unhitched the horses. Obviously Anne and Miss Sheridan intended to stay the night. Would the child be with them?

Was
there a child?

After leaving his horse with a stable lad, Nicolas strolled across the street and into the Imperial Inn. At the front desk, he rang the bell.

A short man of Chinese origin emerged from the back room. “Good evening.”

“
Good evening. Are you the proprietor?”

“
Yes. You want room?”

“
No. I’m looking for a lady.”

“
Not that kind of establishment. You visit Boar’s Head down the street. Plenty women there.”

“
I’ve no interest in flesh peddlers. Can you tell me what room Lady Ashburn checked into?”

The Chinaman bent his head over the register. “No Lady Ashburn.” He glanced up, and a twinkle lit his round eyes. “She use another name?”

The crude presumption angered Nicolas. “The lady is a relative, and she happens to be with child,” he snapped before calming his tone. “She’s traveling with a friend. A Miss Sheridan.”

“
Ah.” Again he studied the register and shook his head. “No Miss Sheridan.”

Nicolas turned away. Except for a handful of people, the dining area stood almost empty. If the women hadn’t acquired a room, where the devil were they? He was about to leave when he noticed a gentleman carrying a black bag coming down the stairs.

He hurried to meet the man. “Pardon me, sir. Are you a doctor?”

“
I am. Do you require my services?”

“
I’m not sure. You see, my cousin stopped at this inn a short time ago, but it doesn’t appear she registered. I’m worried because she’s in a delicate condition.”

“
Ah, yes. I believe I’ve just seen the lady.”

“
Have you? Is she ill?”

The doctor appeared puzzled. “No, I wouldn’t think so.” He nodded toward the stairs. “Room six at the end of the hall.”

###

Cradling Edwin’s head upon her shoulder, Leah strolled about the room as he slept. The heat from his fever filtered through her cotton blouse to her skin.

“
I’m glad Katrina is staying with Becca this evening,” Anne remarked. “I’ve often suspected your sister keeps my daughter from getting into trouble.”

“
Are you sure it’s not the other way around?”

“
Quite.”

Edwin stirred, and Leah stroked his back. “I do not understand how a mother could abandon her child.”

“
Strumpets have little scruples, my dear.” As her ladyship fluffed a pillow, something on the night table caught her attention. She picked up a small vial and held it beneath the oil lamp. “I found the laudanum.”

Leah swallowed a lump of anger. “I gave Maria Santiago money and assumed she’d use it to take care of Edwin. I never suspected she’d drug him.”

“
You couldn’t have known.”

“
No? Why did I not notice how frail Edwin had become? Why did I lack the good sense to question his mother? If I had merely taken the time to inquire--”

A sharp rap sounded upon the door, interrupting the conversation.

“
Perhaps it’s a servant sent to retrieve our food trays,” Anne suggested.

Leah headed for the door. “Yes, most likely.”

The knock sounded a second time followed by, “Annie, are you in there?”

Leah halted, fear spreading to her extremities.

“
It’s Nicolas,” Anne whispered.

“
What is he doing here?”

“
I have no idea.”

“
Annie?” Chase called.

“
Hurry, Leah, before he breaks down the door.”

“
Me? What should I say?”

“
That I’m asleep, of course.”

The doorknob rattled.

“
Just a moment!” Leah turned to her friend. “We cannot hide Edwin from the duke,” she whispered. “We’ve not choice now but tell him.”

“
The child is ill. Nicolas might get the wrong impression.”

“
About what?”

“
About you.” Anne took Edwin and hurried away from the door. “Wait until the proper opportunity arises to explain things.”

Leah gave in. She smoothed her hair and gown before opening the door and peering through the narrow crack.

“
Oh, hello, Miss Sheridan,” the duke greeted.

“
Good evening, your Grace.”

“
I apologize for intruding so late, but I was concerned for my cousin.”

She slipped into the hall and closed the door behind her. “Anne is resting, and I’d rather not disturb her.”

“
Is she ill?”

“
No, just exhausted. Is there a message you’d like to give her?”

“
Not particularly. I merely thought to inquire about her health.”

“
I see. You were so concerned you followed us to Cambridge Town?”

Amusement surfaced in his eyes. “No, I had other business here as well. Are you certain Anne is well?”

“
You asked me that question earlier.”

“
Yes, I did. Forgive my unease, but when I spoke to the doctor--”

“
The doctor?” A sickening dread crushed Leah.

“
Yes, I met him briefly downstairs.”

Did he mention Edwin? Surely he must have.

Tell him! Now!

“
Miss Sheridan, are you aware you’re not registered at this inn?”

Leah sucked in a nervous breath. “Are we not?”

“
No.”

“
Oh. Well, I’ll straighten things out in the morning.”

“
Had I known you were sharing a room with Anne, I would not have imposed. I do find it rather odd you’re watching over her.”

Reluctantly, Leah moved aside. “Would you care to speak to her?”

Goodness! What have I done?

“
No, that won’t be necessary, and again I apologize for disturbing you.” He walked across the hall. After inserting a key into the door of room number seven, he turned and flashed her a warm smile.

Heavens, even his teeth are perfect!

“
Perhaps the three of us can breakfast together,” he suggested.

She wet her dry lips. “Breakfast?”

“
You do eat breakfast, do you not?” he teased.

“
Yes, of course.” Leah reached for the doorknob jammed into the small of her back. “Goodnight, your Grace.”

“
Pleasant dreams, Miss Sheridan.”

She hurried inside. After sliding the bolt into place, she leaned her head against the door, relieved and spent.

“
What did he want?” Anne whispered.

Leah turned, her chest heaving as she attempted to draw precious air into her lungs. “To make sure you’re well.”

“
How thoughtful. He’s satisfied then?”

“
I think not.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
His Grace has secured a room across the hall.”

“
Whatever for?”

“
Breakfast.” Leah placed her hand over her pounding heart. “He thinks to dine with us come morning.”

“
Oh, dear.”

“
He’s worried about you, Anne.”

“
Well he could not have chosen a more awkward time.”

Leah took Edwin and placed him between two pillows on the bed. She tucked a blanket around his small body and stroked his fevered brow. “This sweet boy deserves a family.”

“
Adrian had no right to ask what he did. It was selfish and inconsiderate, but too often his behavior was excused because he was the golden boy who amused everyone.”

Leah walked to the window and pulled the curtain aside. The gaslights lit up a portion of the lonely street below. “The duke is no fool. Even if we manage to skip breakfast, he will likely insist on escorting us home.” She turned. “I have to tell him.”

“
I wouldn’t. Not under these circumstances.” Anne picked up the vial of laudanum and rolled it thoughtfully between her thumb and forefinger. “Leah, do you suppose this is enough to put a grown man to sleep for several hours?”

“
You cannot be serious.”

“
Why not?”

“
Because...it’s wrong.”

“
He’ll come to no harm.”

“
No.”

“
He’ll sleep like an infant in his mother’s arms.”

“
How can you even suggest such a thing?”

“
How?” Anne tossed the vial to Leah. “Because Nicolas brought this upon himself.”

###

Nicolas recognized Adrian’s penmanship on the letters written to his mistress, but strangely he never referred to her by name. Instead he used the term ‘dear heart’. In each, he expressed his desire for her body, and his anticipation for their next liaison. Often using crude and vulgar language. Something he had never known Adrian to do.

Anger and resentment filled Miss Sheridan’s letters. The first few blamed the mistress for confusing Adrian. The rest betrayed Leah’s shame and remorse. In those she promised to pay the woman to take the child and raise it as her own. Leah also never referred to the mistress by name, and there were several misspelled words in her letters. Too many for a highly educated lady.

Nicolas rubbed his eyes and set the letters aside. After supper, he relaxed with a glass of brandy, but his thoughts never strayed from Leah Sheridan for long. He couldn’t imagine a more beautiful woman. One glance from her soft green eyes and his breathing quickened. On the night of the Harvest Ball, he’d meant to annoy her with his bold scrutiny of her enticing body. A grand miscalculation on his part, for his manhood had promptly stiffened.

Was it improper to think such thoughts about his dead brother’s fiancée? Probably. To say she affected him emotionally as well as physically was an understatement. He just wasn’t sure what to make of it. Or her. And there was Adrian’s son to consider.

Had Adrian abandoned his fiancée and her child?

No, that was not at all like Adrian. But did Nicolas really know his brother? And where was the child?

A soft knock sounded upon his door. When he opened it, he found Leah Sheridan standing in the corridor.

“
I’m sorry to disturb you, your Grace, but I wonder if I could speak with you.”

“
Is it Annie?”

“
No.”

“
Thank God.” He briefly glanced down the dimly lit hallway. “Miss Sheridan, please don’t take this the wrong way, but…it’s late. If someone sees you enter my room, you can well imagine the gossip.”

A trace of amusement came to life in her eyes. “But you and I would know the truth, would we not?”

Nicolas hesitated. Finally he stepped aside and ushered her in.

She marched to the center of the room but kept her back to him. “First of all, I wish to apologize for my rude and abrupt behavior during lunch this afternoon.”

“
There’s no need to apologize.”

“
Yes, there is. And second...the night of the Harvest Ball, you asked me why Adrian and I had argued. I didn’t tell you because...” She faced him, her eyes liquid pools of green. “I lacked the courage.”

Nicolas motioned her toward a chair next to the window. After she sat down, he chose the chair across from her. “Did Adrian end your betrothal?”

“
That’s the second time you’ve asked that.”

“
It seems I repeat myself much too often,” he remarked. “Did he?”

“
No. Your brother’s acquisition of a mistress ended it.” Her tone softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so blunt.”

“
That’s quite all right. I already knew.”

Her eyes rounded. “He told you?”

“
No. My grandmother.”

“
Lady Chase? How?”

“
A chance conversation she overheard.”

Confusion swirled in her eyes.

He leaned forward. “Tell me about the argument.”

She stared, her gaze distant now.

Nicolas could sense her reluctance, and he appreciated how difficult this was for her. Then something happened. Her expression changed to regret, and slowly that frigid wall she’d erected between them the night of the Harvest Ball began to crumble until the last brick of mistrust fell away.

“
That afternoon, I was sitting in the solarium with your grandmother. We were discussing wedding invitations when Adrian came home.” She sighed. “He didn’t even change out of his wet clothes before asking to speak to me.”