Promise Me (35 page)

Now she understood. The duke wished to formally break their betrothal, and he’d start by sharing the news with her father.

“
Leah, it’s nearing the hour of midnight,” her father said. “Would you mind making the announcement?”

Her thoughts swirled. “The announcement?”

“
To remove the masks.”

“
Oh. Yes, of course.”

She hurried from the parlor. Outside in the corridor, she halted, hot tears burning her eyes. She despised feeling so insignificant. So...unwanted.

“
Are you all right, my dear?” Lady Chase asked.

Leah quickly wiped her eyes and turned. She hadn’t expected to see Lady Westwood and Trinity O’Connell as well.

“
What troubles you, Miss Sheridan?” Lady Westwood inquired.

“
Nothing, my lady. I’m simply overjoyed and immensely relieved.”

O’Connell tilted his head to one side. “Those don’t look like tears of joy to me.”

The man was irritatingly perceptive.

Lady Chase smiled. “You love Nicolas, do you not?”

Afraid her voice would fail, Leah nodded.

“
Is he aware of your feelings?”

“
No. The duke doesn’t require a wife.”

“
Who told you that?”

“
He did.”

“
Oh, balderdash!”

“
Rarely does a man know what he needs,” Lady Westwood remarked.

“
Every gentleman seeks a wife at some point,” O’Connell stated. “Maybe Chase has come to that point.”

“
Perhaps, but I’ll have to hear that from him, Mister O’Connell. I’ll not bully the duke into marriage simply because I’m his current fiancée.”

“
Bravo, dear girl,” Lady Westwood said with a chuckle. “But it does no harm for a gentleman to suffer an occasional bullying.”

“
I agree, Louise. Miss Sheridan, you might be surprised where Nicky’s heart lies. Will you not ask him?”

“
I believe the duke is genuinely fond of me, my lady, but there is the fact that I was once his brother’s fiancée. His
deceased
brother. How does a gentleman overcome that?”

“
How?” Lady Chase smiled. “He falls in love, my dear.”

###

Lord Greyson closed the parlor door. “On the day of my wedding to Olivia, my father gifted me with ten cases of the finest brandy. That was over twenty years ago, and I think I’ve waited long enough to open the last bottle. Care to join me, Chase?”

“
Certainly, my lord.” Nicolas replied. “But if you don’t mind, I’d like to discuss the future of your eldest daughter first.”

A shadow of concern marred the earl’s features. “Very well. Let’s speak plainly, shall we? You’re well aware I wasn’t pleased Leah had involved herself with Lord Adrian’s deception, but I furtively applaud her actions toward young Edwin. That said, I doubt others will view her deeds as good or honorable.”

“
Agreed, but I alone persuaded her to go along with this false betrothal. I am ashamed of my behavior, and I realize now I should not have involved her.”

“
No, but I doubt she would’ve listened. I admit I objected to this betrothal because I feared Leah would be hurt. Again. Losing Lord Adrian changed her. No longer carefree, the harsh realities of life were thrust upon her.” Greyson sighed. “Raising a child born on the wrong side of the blanket will be difficult but not impossible. Together, I believe you and Leah will overcome that challenge.”

“
My lord, are you giving..?” Nicolas swallowed hard. “Are you implying you would not object if I asked for permission...that is, if I asked your daughter to be my wife?”

“
No ruse this time?”

“
None. I swear it.”

“
Your grandmother thinks Fate has thrown you and Leah together. As a father, all I need hear is that you love my daughter beyond reason and that you will protect her with your life.”

Nicolas’ chest swelled with pride, almost to the point of bursting. “I do love her, my lord, and I swear to protect her life with my own.”

“
Then…permission granted.”

Unfortunately, Trinity O’Connell chose that particular moment to return to the parlor. “Pardon me, Lord Greyson, but I need to ask Chase a question.”

Nicolas cringed. Would he ever be rid of this annoying man? “What is it, O’Connell?”

“
Is your betrothal to Miss Sheridan on? Or off?”

“
At the risk of disappointing you...it’s on.”

“
Well, congratulations, your Grace.”

“
Thank you, but let’s keep this from my intended until I’ve had the chance to formally ask her.”

“
Yeah, you might want to do that real soon,” O’Connell advised. “Cause I suspect your intended is about to break this betrothal in grand style.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

One minute before midnight, her heart heavy, Leah mounted the podium. She almost expected a wooden guillotine to appear. It would’ve suited her self-induced misery. She politely dismissed the musicians, and a hush fell over the crowd.

“
Honored guests…” She sucked in a breath. “Remove your masks!”

For the next few minutes, pandemonium reigned. Masks of all colors, shapes, and sizes flew into the air as the guests greeted one another with enthusiasm. Some pretended shock. Others offered congratulations on disguises. It didn’t take long before the chant began.

“
Betrothal. Betrothal.”

Each year it followed the same pattern, growing louder and quickly spreading about the ballroom.

“
Betrothal! Betrothal!”

She willed her heart to stop beating, but it paid no attention to the request. The memory of the duke’s touch, his kiss, could never be erased. Not even after she passed on from this life to the next.

“
Betrothal! Betrothal! Betrothal!”

Determined to keep a tight rein on her emotions, Leah steeled her nerves and raised her hands, silencing the guests. “As most of you are probably aware, I recently became affianced.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd in soft waves.

“
After much consideration...” A wall of hurt rose in Leah’s chest, but she pressed on. “I...that is we...”

And then she saw him winding his way through the crowd, and her heart involuntarily soared.

The Duke of Chase jumped onto the podium wearing a brilliant smile. He ignored her and instead shouted, “Good evening, friends!”

Leah tugged on his sleeve.

He turned.

“
What are you doing?” she whispered.

“
Keeping you from saying something foolish,” he replied and faced the crowd. “I daresay I’ve known most of you my entire life. Some of you knew my father and grandfather.”

“
Your father was a decent gent,” said a soused monk.

“
Same can be said for Bartholomew,” an old knight declared. “He’d give you the tunic off his back.”

“
Yes,” Chase agreed. “Grandfather Bart was a unique gentleman. He knew what he wanted, but I fear he’d be sorely displeased with me now.”

“
Yer tongue be cloaked in riddles, lad,” spouted a large Scotsman. “Speak yer mind.”

“
Lord, he’s squandered the family fortune!”

“
Not Bartholomew’s heir!”

The duke raised his hand, commanding silence. “The wrong I committed is far more delicate than losing my family’s fortune but just as severe. You see, I did my fiancée an injustice when I previously asked for her hand, and I’d like to correct that mistake now.” He turned and offered Leah the most beguiling smile. “Miss Sheridan, you once told me you wouldn’t marry me if I got down on bended knee in front of a thousand witnesses. Did you mean that?”

“
I said in front of all of England.”

“
Did you? Oh, so...you didn’t mean it?”

“
Yes, I did. I was furious with you.”

“
Do you know how beautiful you are when you’re angry?”

Her breath caught at the tender expression in his eyes.

The duke reached for her hand. “Leah Sheridan,” he said loud enough for all to hear. “I cannot give you the moon or the stars, but I can offer you a lifetime of long walks beneath them.”

Incredible warmth spread inside her chest.

What was he saying? Was he asking…no, it couldn’t be.

The room spun. The faces of the guests jumbled together.

Is he courting me?

Chase knelt on one knee. “Would you honor me by becoming my wife?”

After the first thrilled gasps from the guests, they stood in awed silence.

The duke knelt! On one knee!

Leah grew faint and quickly realized she needed to breathe. “You’ll ruin your costume, your Grace. Please get up.”

“
Not until you give me your answer.”

“
I…well…there is much we need to discuss first.”

“
You have my undivided attention at the moment.”

“
You and everyone else,” she quipped. “Did you not tell me just last week that you had no real desire for a wife?”

“
Did I? Well, clearly I was mistaken.”

“
I didn’t quite catch your answer, Miss Sheridan!” Mister O’Connell shouted.

“
She hasn’t given it,” a dark-haired squire snapped.

“
You mustn’t keep a gentleman waiting, Miss Sheridan,” a bejeweled queen remarked. “It isn’t polite.”

“
Oh, let him wait,” insisted an older woman dressed as a simple barmaid. “A lady has to be sure.”

“
What’s there to be sure about? The duke’s wealthy. What more can a maiden desire?”

“
A handsome gent, for one,” offered a big-bosomed galley wench. “And from where I’m standing, his Grace is more than adequate there.”

Although Chase laughed along with the others, his attention never strayed from Leah. “Can you not see I’m offering you forever, Goddess?”

“
Forever is a very long time.”

“
Not long enough with you.”

Her heart overflowed with happiness. There was only one thing missing. His declaration of love. Without it, there could be no real betrothal. No marriage.

She swallowed her nervousness. “Did you really keep that awful sketch?”

“
Why wouldn’t I? It’s more valuable than anything I own.”

“
Then you do not own much. Perhaps I should reconsider this betrothal.”

“
In order to reconsider, we have to make it official first.”

“
I thought we had.”

“
Not to my satisfaction,” Chase insisted. “If I’m to change this country’s dim views of orphans and illegitimate children, I’ll need a proper wife who supports my views. And I’ve got my heart set on the Earl of Greyson’s beautiful daughter.” His lips brushed her fingertips. “I love you, Leah. And I can no longer imagine my life without you.”

Overwhelming and complete happiness momentarily blinded her, and she couldn’t speak for several seconds. Finally she whispered, “Nicolas, I truly love you. And I gladly and with all my heart accept your proposal.”

Still holding her hand, the duke stood. “Could you speak up, my love? I doubt O’Connell heard you.”

Laughing and crying at the same time, Leah tossed back her head. “I accept!”

Enthusiasm exploded from the guests. The men slapped one another on the back while the ladies hugged each other. Near the rear of the ballroom stood her father, and their eyes locked. He blew her a kiss. Something he hadn’t done since she was a child. Lady Chase and Lady Westwood stood beside him, arms linked together and dabbing their eyes with lace handkerchiefs. Mister O’Connell wore his usual lopsided grin.

Her gaze drifted up to the balcony where two young girls, the same two girls who should’ve been in bed hours ago, jumped up and down with excitement.

The duke tucked a finger beneath her chin, capturing her attention. “I swear to you, my love. I will never betray you.”

“
Nor I you.”

Chase drew Leah into his arms and, to the delight of the crowd, sealed his promise with a breathtaking kiss.

The End

Excerpt from
The Macgregor’s Daughter

by Dee Julian

Available now at Amazon.com

“
What’s your hurry, my sweet?” whispered a deep voice against her ear.

His warm breath kissed Dreya’s skin, sending shivers racing down her spine. She caught a whiff of brandy and cigars. By the polished tone of his voice, he wasn’t one of the king’s guards. Probably a guest who’d wandered away from the masquerade ball.

No, not hopeless. Merely an unfortunate delay.

“
Are you aware how this entrance to Queen’s House differs from all the others?” he added.

Surprised by the question, Dreya shook her head.

Gently he spun her around but did not release her. “It was once used for secret liaisons.”