Promise Me (3 page)

“
Perhaps he did not wish to disappoint you.”

“
Adrian owned an equal share of Drake shipping. We agreed I should be the one to handle that venture while he ran the manor and grounds. My brother understood his duties. Obviously you did not.”

“
Did it ever occur to you that Adrian agreed to run this estate merely because he suspected the tranquil countryside of Kent bored his older brother beyond reason?”

Uncertainty flared in Chase’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. “I wasn’t always bored.” A smirk formed at one corner of his well-defined mouth, and again his dark gaze slid over her. “Especially when there’s a good hunt to be found.”

“
A good hunt or a grand kill?” she snapped. “If you wish to bully me with words--”

“
Intimidation was never my intention. You were with my brother when he died, and for that I’m grateful, but your avoidance of the subject causes me to suspect you’ve not been completely honest.”

Her breath caught.

“
And make no mistake about it, Miss Sheridan, I
will
discover the truth. No matter how long it takes.” His overpowering presence pinned her to the spot and ensured her silence. “Enjoy your evening.”

C
hapter Two

The next morning, Nicolas hurried downstairs and headed to the rear of the manor. At the door to the solarium, he paused.

The sun shimmering through the glass-paneled roof showered the room with warmth, and the scent of various late-blooming flowers caressed his sense of smell. As a young man, he’d napped here on numerous occasions. Until Adrian discovered that slipping a toad or a harmless snake down the front of his older brother’s shirt proved far more amusing than watching him sleep.

Amidst the greenery and terracotta vases, he found Grandmother Margaret sitting at a round table, her spectacles resting halfway down her nose as her attention remained fixed on the morning newspaper.

“
Good morning, Gran.”

She practically jumped out of her chair. “Oh, Nicky…you startled me, dear.”

“
My apologies, love.”

She set the paper aside and removed her spectacles. “Shall I ring for breakfast, or would you prefer a cup of tea first?”

He joined her at the table. “No, I’ll eat something later.”

“
Bartholomew ate like a king at breakfast and a pauper at supper.”

“
Yes, I recall his frequent sermons on the subject.”

“
Sermons?” She chuckled. “Yes, my dear husband would’ve made a fine vicar, would he not?”

“
Stern is a better word.” Nicolas glanced around. “Seasons may chance but not the comfort of this solarium. Gran, do you recall when Adrian and I got into trouble as youngsters, you’d bring us here and after you finished lecturing us about what we’d done to upset you, you’d hug us close and say--”

“
Now run along, my dearest boys. We mustn’t let your grandfather hear of this.” A poignant smiled graced her lips, and she covered his hand with hers. “Of course I remember.”

Nicolas smiled. “What were you reading?”

“
Reading?”

“
Was that not the
Standard
you set aside?”

“
Oh…yes, but there’s nothing important in it.”

“
Well let’s have a look see, shall we?” He reached for the paper.

She snatched it away. “Go into breakfast before your eggs grow cold. We mustn’t upset Cook.”

“
Why, Grandmother Margaret. You’re hiding something.” He held out his hand. When she did not immediately comply, he added, “You do realize yours is not the only copy?”

She frowned but handed it over. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“
Of course not, my lady.”

Nicolas thumbed through the pages until he came across Irma Crandle’s gossip column. He scanned the long paragraph, acutely aware his grandmother fidgeted beside him, but there was no mention of Leah Sheridan. Instead, it scorned a notorious marquis who had become involved with two ladies.

“
Irma Crandle is a scandalmonger and a liar,” Gran declared. “Whatever she’s printed, you cannot believe a word.”

He studied his grandmother. Fear darted in and out of her eyes. Because of his earlier interruption, she apparently hadn’t read this morning’s column, but she clearly expected it to be about Leah Sheridan.

Nicolas set the paper aside. “You do not find her column amusing?”

“
Good heavens, no. Why, she’s become the biggest thorn in our side since that little upstart Frenchman.”

“
You mean, Napoleon Bonaparte?”

“
Yes, that’s the one.”

“
If Miss Crandle’s gossip offends you, why read it?”

“
What causes you to believe I do?”

Nicolas sighed. “Gran, about Miss Sheridan--”

“
It was a lie.”

“
What?”

“
Whatever you read in that column.”

“
The lady wasn’t mentioned.”

“
Who?”

“
Miss Sheridan.”

Her fearful expression relaxed. “Well, of course not. Why would she be?”

“
But there was something written about her a few days ago, was there not?”

“
A simple visit to Cambridge Town, but that horrible woman turned it into something wicked.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
A scandalous tryst, that’s what she implied.” Her gaze narrowed. “And while we’re on the subject, whatever did you say that caused Miss Sheridan to leave the Harvest Ball last evening in such a dreadful hurry?”

“
Why must you assume it was something I said?”

“
Come now, Nicky. Are you asking me to believe you did not interrogate the poor girl?”

“
About the gossip column? Certainly not. I did, however, ask why Adrian ended their betrothal.”

“
He did no such thing. Wherever did you get such a notion?”

“
From something I overheard.” He waited, but she did not inquire as to what he’d heard. “Grandmother, I suspect you’ve not been completely honest with me.”

Winston jumped from a nearby shelf, nearly knocking over a small vase.

“
Gran--”

“
Do not press the issue, Nicholas.”

“
I must.”

Her eyes turned stormy. “Oh, why do I even bother? You are as stubborn as your grandfather.”

“
I am nothing like my grandfather, and you’re trying to change the subject.”

She fidgeted in her chair. “There was a slight...indiscretion.”

“
Miss Sheridan?”

“
No. Adrian.”

“
He told you?”

“
Heavens, no. I heard your cousin speaking to her husband. She said Miss Sheridan broke the betrothal because Adrian had confessed to taking a mistress. Bartholomew would’ve never permitted such disgraceful behavior.”

“
Nor would he have approved of eavesdropping, which apparently we’re both guilty of,” Nicolas pointed out. “Now I understand Miss Sheridan’s hesitation to speak of my brother. I shouldn’t have treated her so harshly.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
I sensed she wasn’t being truthful and implied as much. I had no idea Adrian had wronged her. Gran, you should’ve warned me.”

“
Yes, I suppose so, but I certainly never thought you’d accuse the girl of any wrongdoing.” She pursed her lips. “Oh, Nicky. You must make amends.”

###

Nestled among a line of thick oak trees sat the Drake family’s rustic, centuries old church. Well maintained in Grandfather Bartholomew’s day, the building now begged for new shutters and a fresh coat of paint.

Nicolas tethered his horse to the nearest post and made his way to the far end of the cemetery where tall weeds snaked up around the headstones. Part of Adrian’s responsibilities included making sure the groundskeeper maintained the church and cemetery. Obviously with Adrian’s death, the groundskeeper had shirked his duties and needed to be replaced.

He knelt at his mother’s grave.

Lady Victoria Drake. Born August 1811. Died April 1841.

“
How I miss you, love.” He ran his hand along the cold stone before turning to the adjacent marker.

Lord Jonathan Sebastian Drake. Born February 1802. Died April 1841.

“
Father, when Adrian and I were lads, you made us swear to look after one another. Forgive me for disappointing you.”

He stood and acknowledged Grandfather Bart’s headstone before moving further down the row of graves.

James Adrian Drake. Born May 1836. Died June 1865.

A yellow rose, withered from the morning sun, lay across Adrian’s grave. Grandmother Margaret hadn’t mentioned her visit when they’d spoken earlier.

“
Mornin’, milord.”

Nicolas turned.

A dark bearded man dressed in work clothes with a shovel slung over one shoulder offered a respectful nod. “A fine day to be about, is it not, sir?”

“
Are you the man Lord Adrian hired to see to the upkeep of this cemetery?”

“
No, sir, I just dig the graves. Tanner’s the name. Old man Fredericks was the groundskeeper, but he passed on last winter.”

“
Why wasn’t he replaced?”

“
You’d have to ask the Chase family.” The man’s attention darted to the yellow rose. “I see milady stopped by this morn.”

“
My grandmother? Yes.”

Tanner’s mouth hung open. “Beggin’ your pardon, milord, but if that young lady is your grandmother--”

“
Young
?”

They stared at one another.

“
Aye,” Tanner replied. “And rather pleasant on the eyes.”

It finally dawned on Nicolas that Leah Sheridan must’ve placed the rose on Adrian’s grave.

“
Pardon me, milord, but I was wonderin’…might I shake your grandfather’s hand for his choice in wives?”

Nicolas almost smiled. “Certainly, but you’ll have to dig him up first.”

“
His lordship’s dead?”

“
Quite.”

Tanner offered a toothless grin. “And I reckon I know why.” He tipped his hat. “Good day to you, milord.”

###

An hour before lunch Leah rushed into the drawing room. “Anne, I’m so sorry. Have you been waiting long?”

“
Not at all,” her ladyship replied from her comfortable position on the sofa. “Katrina kept me company for a while, but I told her it was much too lovely a day to waste inside.”

“
Becca’s not with you?”

“
My daughter neglected her French lesson this morning and is now suffering the consequences.”

“
Well, I hope the punishment isn’t too severe.”

“
I daresay she’ll survive.” Anne Ashburn, eight months along with her second child, reached inside her reticule and brought out a letter. “This came last evening.”

Leah opened it and scanned the contents.

“
How much does she want this time?” Anne inquired.

“
Nothing. She’s requesting that I meet her at the Imperial Inn.”

“
Why?”

“
She doesn’t say. Perhaps Edwin needs me.”

“
If that vile creature had considered her child’s health while she carried him, he would not have been born a cripple.”

“
Please do not refer to Edwin as a cripple. Once I’ve saved enough money, I’ll take him to a reputable doctor.”

“
How can you save when all your coin goes to that trollop? And taking Edwin to a doctor, reputable or otherwise, would not be wise.”

“
I never should’ve involved you, Anne.”

“
Adrian should’ve never involved
you
.”

Leah sighed. “I’m sorry to rush off, but I mustn’t tarry if I’m to make Cambridge Town before night.”

“
I thought that would be your decision.” Her ladyship made an attempt to rise. “I’m going with you.”

“
Here let me help you. And no. You’re too far along.”

“
I do nothing more strenuous than deliver notes from that Spanish tart. I’m going with you, Leah, and I’ll hear no argument.” She massaged the small of her back. “Why must you continue to shoulder the responsibility for Adrian’s sins?”

“
You know exactly why.”

“
Can you not see this is a mistake?”

“
Anne, you are a kind person. How can you look at Edwin’s sweet face and not feel sympathy?”

“
For the child? Yes, of course. But not for his conniving mother. I have no sympathy toward her kind, and you shouldn’t either. Cut the purse strings, and you’ll see how quickly she’s find another besotted gentleman to warm her bed.”

Heat rose in Leah’s cheeks.

“
Oh, why was I cursed with such a blunt tongue? Truthfully, Leah, I do not plan to wound you with pointed reminders of Adrian’s betrayal. They simply slip out.” Anne tugged at the frilly lace on one sleeve of her gown. “I noticed you left the Harvest Ball rather early last evening. A headache, was it?”