Promise Me (27 page)

Nicolas straightened. “Very well, but there’s no need for our guest to suffer.” He pivoted around. “Miss Sheridan, would you care to make use of one of the guestrooms?”

“
I’m fine, your Grace.”

“
He’s right, dear. There’s no cause for all three of us to lose sleep.”

“
If you don’t mind, my lady, I’d rather stay.”

Stubborn women!

Nicolas resumed pacing, and the night crept by at an incredibly slow pace.

Around the early hours of dawn the familiar sounds of servants going about their usual chores intruded upon the gloom, and it wasn’t long before the enticing aroma of baked bread drifted into the foyer. Half an hour later, the sun filtered in through the two long windows flanking the main entrance.

Grandmother Margaret arose from her chair.

“
What is it, Gran?”

“
I’m not sure.”

Miss Sheridan stood.

Her ladyship approached the foot of the stairs, and her gaze went beyond the landing. After a brief pause, she hurried upstairs.

Miss Sheridan didn’t move.

“
I’m certain all is well,” Nicolas insisted.

She nodded but wouldn’t face him.

“
I know my cousin.” He turned her around and tipped her chin up. “Annie is far too possessive of Lord Ashburn to leave him searching for a new bride.”

Tears swam in her eyes, but she managed a weak smile.

Nicolas pulled her into his arms, and the scent of lavender drifted beneath his nose. “You mustn’t cry.” He held her close, and her soft curves pressed against him. He drew a quick breath. “This will soon be over.”

How long she stayed wrapped in his arms, Nicolas couldn’t say. He didn’t care that he’d lost all sense of time. This was where she belonged.

Suddenly an infant’s cry disrupted the stillness in the foyer, and Miss Sheridan lifted her head. Within a matter of seconds, the initial cry turned into loud wailing.

Nicolas smiled. “You see? Nothing to worry about.”

She stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed his cheek.

Desire coursed through his veins and once again ignited a fire. The flame quickly spread lower. Did she know? Did she have any idea what he wanted from her?

“
You are capable of such kindness,” she said. “I regret that we...”

“
That we..?”

Her long lashes fluttered. “That
I
have not always been kind to you.”

He raised her hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss to her fingertips. “I likely deserved your ire.”

She pulled away and headed up the stairs.

After she disappeared beyond his view, a sense of loneliness overwhelmed Nicolas. The feeling not only confused him...it devastated him.

He bounded up the stairs two at a time. Just as he entered the hallway, Grandmother Margaret emerged from the guestroom, her arms wrapped around a child in a yellow blanket.

“
Miss Sheridan...Nicolas,” she said, her face beaming. “I’d like to introduce you to the viscount’s heir.” She tugged the blanket aside to reveal an infant’s chubby red face. “Henry Ethan Ashburn.”

“
Oh, he’s beautiful, my lady.”

“
He certainly is, my dear.”

“
What about Anne? Is she all right?”

“
It was a difficult birth, but she’s resting now. You can visit when she wakes.”

“
Yes, of course.” Miss Sheridan pushed aside a lock of the babe’s hair. “Such lovely red curls. Henry, you are adorable. Oh, no. You mustn’t pout.”

“
He’s likely as exhausted as we are,” Gran concluded. “Would you like to hold him, my dear?”

“
May I?”

“
Certainly.”

As the infant settled into Leah Sheridan’s arms, she cradled him gently. “My goodness, how much does he weight?”

“
Almost three quarters of a stone.”

“
Heavens.”

As the women discussed Henry’s healthy size, a prophetic vision created a disturbing and perfectly detailed imprint inside Nicolas’ mind. The image almost knocked him off his feet.

This life could be yours. With Leah as your wife.

When had he lost control of his thoughts? Probably the first moment he’d gazed into those mesmerizing green eyes. Could he erase Leah’s beauty from his memory? Could he forget her soft voice? Everything she did, ever word she spoke, became a distraction.

And now she threatened his last possession.

His freedom.

“
Henry likes you, Miss Sheridan,” Grandmother Margaret declared.

“
How can you tell?”

“
He’s smiling, dear.”

Nicolas couldn’t look away...couldn’t break the spell of this tender scene.

“
He has such clear blue eyes, my lady.”

“
Like Grandfather Ethan’s.”

“
Oh, look. He’s sucking his thumb like Edwin.”

“
Most babies do at some point. Nicky, don’t just stand there gaping. Come say hello to your new cousin.”

Devil take it! Gran had caught him staring. Had she read his thoughts as well?

Nicolas approached them. “Hello, young man.”

Henry brought his tiny fist to his mouth and began sucking, but his attention never left the face of the woman who held him.

The door to the guestroom opened. “Lady Chase,” whispered the midwife. “We’re almost finished cleaning up. I gave your niece a dose of laudanum. She’ll likely sleep until the afternoon.”

“
Oh, splendid. Would you like me to send for the carriage now?”

“
Yes, my lady. Thank you. What do you wish me to do with the soiled sheets and towels?”

“
Bundle them. The servants will carry them down to be laundered later.”

“
Very good then. Oh, Lady Ashburn asked that someone send for her lady’s maid and the babe’s nursemaid.”

“
I’ll see to it,” Nicolas volunteered.

After the midwife slipped back inside the room, Miss Sheridan handed Henry to Gran. “I should return home as well.”

“
Why not stay, dear? Your father will return later with Katrina and Rebecca, and you’ll wish to visit with Anne, will you not?”

“
Yes, but I cannot impose.”

“
Nonsense. Nicolas, escort Miss Sheridan to the gold room then send Miss Wharton to me. She can watch over Henry until the nursemaid arrives.”

Perfect. The exquisite woman Nicolas couldn’t get out of his mind would be sleeping down the hall from him. A few more restless hours without sleep and his mood would sink beyond recognition.

“
Nicolas, did you hear what I said?”

“
Yes, my lady, but what about Edwin? Shouldn’t someone keep an eye on him?”

“
He doesn’t usually wake until eight o’clock. Miss Wharton should return to the nursery before then.”

“
And what about you, Gran? Have you given a thought to seeking your own bed?”

“
Just as soon as Anne’s servants arrive.”

“
Then I suppose I’d better send for them.”

“
I would appreciate it, dear boy. Oh, and would you make sure the carriage is brought around?”

“
Yes, love.”

Grandmother Margaret smiled at him before her gaze shifted. “Thank you, Miss Sheridan, for keeping me company.”

“
You’re most welcome, my lady.”

“
Come, Henry,” Gran whispered fondly. “Let’s see that your mother is resting comfortably.”

Once again Nicolas stood alone with Leah Sheridan. And once again his heart beat just a little too fast. He asked a servant to bring the carriage around before escorting Miss Sheridan to her room.

She hesitated at the door. “The hour is early. Perhaps it would be better if I wake the nanny.”

Nicolas nodded. “Yes, the woman will likely be in her nightclothes, and I’ve no wish to embarrass--”

A sharp squeal erupted from the nursery.

“
That’s Edwin!” Miss Sheridan exclaimed with alarm.

Nicolas ran the rest of the way down the hall and threw open the nursery door without knocking.

Miss Wharton, dressed as expected with her auburn hair hanging past her shoulders, held a tearful Edwin in her arms.

“
Here, lad,” he soothed. “What’s all this?”

Edwin twisted around in the nanny’s arms. “Unca,” he cried. “Mac...Bur-nie. Gone.”

Relieved, Nicolas laughed. “No, those two scoundrels haven’t abandoned you. They’re sleeping in the stables until they can be properly trained. After breakfast you and I will go fetch them.” He took Edwin in his arms. “Would you like that?”

Suddenly Edwin’s eyes rounded. “Eee-ah!”

“
Yes, that’s right. Here now, I suppose I’d better allow you to say hello before you jump out of my arms.”

Nicolas turned, but Miss Sheridan wasn’t smiling at Edwin with her usual adoration. Nor did she reach for him. Instead she stared beyond them both. Curious, his attention returned to Miss Wharton. The nanny could not have looked more frightened if she’d stood in front of a hangman’s noose.

Chapter Eighteen

Shocked and at a loss for words, Leah stared in disbelief at the young woman cringing behind the duke.

Polly had definitely changed since that night in Cambridge Town. Though her gaunt face and frail body still confirmed a life of hardship, she now wore decent clothes instead of tattered ones.

“
Eee-ah,” Edwin beckoned.

Chase stepped in her line of vision. “Miss Sheridan, are you all right?”

She shook her head. “No, I think not.”

His frown deepened. “You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”

“
Not quite.”

“
Eee-ah,” Edwin pleaded, louder this time, and he leaned forward.

Leah gathered the child into her arms. He kissed her on the mouth, and she smiled. “Thank you, Edwin.”

“
Wuv Eee-ah.”

“
I love you too, dearest.” Her attention centered on the nanny. “Hello, Polly. You’re looking well.”

The girl lowered her gaze.

“
I wasn’t aware you two had met,” Chase stated.

“
Nor I,” Leah told him. “Until this moment.”

Polly raised her head. “This wasn’t my idea, miss. I didn’t come here to cause trouble.”

“
You’d better tell his Grace the truth before he finds out on his own.”

“
What truth?” he asked.

“
Please, miss. I’m no good with words.”

Leah shifted Edwin’s weight to her hip, and he laid his head against her shoulder. “Polly and I met in Cambridge Town a few weeks ago. The night Edwin...”

He nodded, acknowledging the obvious.

“
Polly, I thought you were planning to visit your sister in Dover.”

“
I’ve no kin, miss. I was told to say what I did. I’m sorry about the money you give me. I used most of it for clothes, but I’ll return the rest.”

“
The money doesn’t concern me.”

“
But your lies do,” Chase scolded. “Were you sent to spy on me? To make sure I didn’t break my word regarding a certain agreement?”

“
That was Miss Santiago’s purpose, your Grace. Not mine.” Tears filled Polly’s eyes. “I never intended to repeat a word of what was said in this house.”

“
I wish I could believe you.” The duke sighed. “Pack your belongings, Miss Wharton. You are no longer needed. I’ll have my driver take you back to Cambridge Town.”

“
Wait,” Leah pleaded.

“
For what, may I ask?”

“
So we might avoid jumping to the wrong conclusions.”

“
Since Miss Wharton just confessed, I fail to see how
we
could do that.”

“
I suspect you’ve already made up your mind about her character, but did you stop to think there could be more to her story? I mean, good heavens, everyone makes mistakes. Even you.”

“
Miss Sheridan, I don’t know if I should applaud your gallantry or question your sanity. The woman you’re so passionately defending is obviously in collusion with an immoral and unscrupulous...” The duke glanced at Edwin, and his unflattering vocabulary ceased. “I think you can put him down now.”

Leah followed his gaze. Edwin, with his head still resting on her shoulder and his thumb barely hanging from one corner of his mouth, had fallen asleep. She carried him to his bed and covered him with a blanket before returning.

“
Question my sanity, if you must, your Grace,” she said low. “But at least give Polly a chance to explain.”

He studied the nanny. “Very well, Miss Wharton. Let’s hear the rest of this grand explanation that’s suppose to sway my opinion of you.”

Clearly frightened, she didn’t respond.

“
Perhaps it would be best if we continued this conversation downstairs,” Leah suggested.

“
And risk my grandmother discovering this blatant treachery? No. This conversation begins and ends in this room with the three of us.”