Promise Me (17 page)

“
Shhh...he’ll hear you.”

“
I bloody well hope so. What the devil is he doing in your bedroom in the middle of the night?”

“
He’s not in my bedroom,” she retorted. “He’s standing on the other side of my door. As to what he’s doing, give me a moment, and I’ll find out.”

With the ball of yarn still in his hand, he offered her an elaborate bow.

Leah hurried to the door and opened it.

O’Connell smiled. “I was headed downstairs for a brandy when I thought I heard voices in your room.”

She crossed her fingers behind her back. “There was a mouse beneath my bed, and I was politely asking it to leave.”

He glanced over her shoulder. “You want me to get rid of it?”

“
That’s quite all right, Mister O’Connell, but if you don’t mind there’s another matter I’d like to discuss. One more bothersome.”

“
Now we can’t have you bothered, can we, ma’am?”

Leah ignored the flirtatious remark. “I meant to ask you earlier, but I couldn’t seem to find you alone.”

He grinned, “Well, if I’d known you were trying to--”

“
Did you know about those letters?”

“
You mean the ones Maria Santiago forged?”

She nodded.

“
Yeah, I knew.”

“
You gave them to the Duke of Chase?”

“
Now why would I do that?”

“
For the simple reason that you work for Irma Crandle, and she seems to enjoy causing trouble. You told her about Edwin as well, did you not? And then you must’ve run straight to the duke. You gave me your word, Mister O’Connell, and I believed you.”

“
Miss Sheridan, Irma already knew about the child because Miss Santiago made sure of it. As for the letters given to Chase, that was Irma’s idea, not mine.”

“
Why would she do that?”

“
I’m still trying to figure that out,” he replied. “All I know for certain is Miss Santiago thought you’d end up in Irma’s next gossip column with your reputation tarnished beyond repair. She never suspected Irma would discover the letters were forged and refuse to print them.”

“
Thank God for that, but there’s something else that puzzles me. Why do you suppose Lady Westwood’s grandson had to seek employment from a questionable source when, contrary to what he implied, he surely has no need for coin?”

“
Yeah, I did say I liked to eat, didn’t I?”

“
You did.”

As if by habit, he glanced down the darkened corridor. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not get into a lengthy explanation at the moment.”

“
I see.” Her gaze narrowed. “Good night, Mister O’Connell.”

“
Good night, Miss Sheridan.”

Leah shut the door and hurried back to the window.

But Chase and his horse had disappeared into the night.

Chapter Eleven

Leah scattered a bouquet of wild flowers across Adrian’s grave. Was it foolish to continue this pathetic and gloomy ritual? Wherever Adrian’s soul had gone, wouldn’t he now realize she’d loved him merely as a friend and not as a beloved fiancé?

And what of her feelings for the duke?

Most of the time she disliked him, but occasionally he could be quite decent.

Did she love him?

How could she? She didn’t even know the man. Still, her insides quivered each time he looked at her.

What would Adrian think? It wasn’t as though he stood beside her, shaking his head and condemning her for daring to move on with her life.

“
Ee-ah!”

She glanced around.

Lady Chase headed down the path carrying a bundle of red roses. A male servant trailed behind her with Edwin hoisted upon his shoulders.

“
Ee-ah!” Edwin called again. He held out his arms and would’ve tumbled off the servant’s shoulders if the man hadn’t caught him. “Ook, Gan! Ee-ah!”

Her ladyship smiled. “Yes, and what a pleasant surprise.”

Leah waited until they reached her. “Hello, Edwin, my love.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

He hugged her neck and no matter how hard the servant tried to pry him loose, Edwin wouldn’t let go.

“
Driver, you’d better hand him over before he injures Miss Sheridan,” Lady Chase ordered. When the servant did as instructed, she sent him back to the carriage.

Leah held Edwin close for a long moment. A hint of scented soap lingered in his golden locks, reminding her of sunshine and warm, summer days. She glanced over the child’s head. “Good morning, my lady.”

“
Good morning, Miss Sheridan.”

“
I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“
It’s quite all right, my dear.” She moved down the row of graves, placing two roses on each of them. “I’ve spoken so much of my departed family, I decided to bring Edwin to visit them.”

Leah disentangled the child’s arms from around her neck. “Here now, young sir. Let me have a look at you.” She shifted his weight onto her hip. “You’re a bit heavier than I remember.”

“
He has a healthy appetite, but his taste for sweet cakes is a bit concerning. Nicolas scolds me for giving him such treats, but I haven’t the heart to deny the child.”

Leah poked Edwin’s belly, and he squirmed and giggled. A delightful sound. “You mustn’t overindulge in the sweets, my sweet.”

“
Miss Sheridan, do you know the day of his birth?”

“
Yes, it’s the twenty-second of May.”

Edwin laid his head against Leah’s shoulder, his hands knotted tightly in her blouse. “Gan, where Boo?”

“
We left him in the carriage so you wouldn’t drop him in the mud.”

He pointed in the direction of the church. “Boo?”

“
Yes,” her ladyship replied.

“
Win-non eat Boo?”

“
Oh, no, dear boy. I happen to know Winston dislikes carriages so you see Boo is quite safe, and I assure you he patiently awaits your return.”

Edwin jammed his thumb into his mouth.

“
I gather Winston and Boo encountered some form of altercation?” Leah inquired.

“
Not Winston and Boo. Winston and Edwin. You see, the trouble began when Winston mistook Boo for his plaything, and Edwin did not wish to share. He yanked the cat’s tail, and I’ve never heard such hissing and yowling. Now, whenever Winston and Edwin are in the same room, they circle one another like two foxes about to pounce upon a tender rabbit.”

Leah laughed. “Poor Winston.”

“
He will survive.” Lady Chase glanced around. “I see Nicolas found an adequate groundskeeper.”

“
I noticed the weeds and dead leaves have all been cleared. In fact, the entire cemetery is neat and orderly again.”

“
That should please Bartholomew.” Her expression grew tender as she stared at her late husband’s grave. “His lordship could not abide clutter. Oh, how he would rant and carry on if things wandered out of place.” She touched Leah’s arm. “We were wrong to take Edwin as we did, my dear. I’m sorry.”

“
No, my lady. It is I who must apologize. Given the circumstances, I cannot blame you for being upset. At any rate, the duke and I have made amends, and he informed me I can visit Edwin any time I wish.”

Surprise lit Lady Chase’s blue eyes. “He did?”

“
Yes.”

“
My
Nicolas…he apologized?”

“
And rather eloquently. He didn’t tell you?”

“
I’ve not seen him this morning.” Her brow furrowed. “Forgive my curiosity, dear, but when did you speak with him?”

“
Last evening around midnight. He stood beneath my window.”

“
I see.” Lady Chase playfully tugged at Edwin’s foot, and he offered her an adorable grin. “Did my grandson brave the weather merely to apologize?”

“
Well, I’m not sure, but he mentioned a question he wished to ask.”

“
What question?”

“
I’ve no idea. We were interrupted.”

“
By your father, no doubt.”

“
No, by Mister O’Connell.”

“
Who?”

“
He’s...” Leah hesitated. “Trinity O’Connell has been our guest for the last two days, but he left for Westwood Hall this morning because his grandmother is arriving earlier than expected.”

“
Westwood Hall? You mean, Louise Westwood has returned?”

“
Yes. Do you know her?”

“
Indeed. Many years ago she and I were quite good friends. After her husband passed on, she closed the estate and moved abroad. Sadly, I never heard from her again.” Her ladyship stared off into the distance for several moments. “Trinity O’Connell...you say he’s Lady Westwood’s grandson?”

“
Yes.”

“
Then Louise remarried, I suppose.”

“
I’ve invited her to the Bal Masque, my lady. Perhaps the two of you can get reacquainted.”

“
Oh, no, Miss Sheridan. I’ll not wait to visit with my old friend. Besides, I’d like to meet her grandson. What age is he?”

“
In his late twenties, I imagine. Why do you ask?”

“
No particular reason. Tell me, did Nicolas say or do anything last evening that you considered odd?”

“
Our entire conversation could be considered odd.”

“
Oh? How so?”

“
Well, I suppose I wasn’t accustomed to the agreeable side of the duke’s character.” Leah bit her lip. “I’m terribly sorry, Lady Chase. I didn’t mean to imply...”

“
It’s all right, Miss Sheridan. Nicky’s manners are usually impeccable, but somewhere along the way he lost his sense of humor.” She tucked a gray strand of hair beneath her fashionable hat. “So...he was in his cups last evening, was he?”

Leah grimaced. “How did you know?”

“
Experience, my dear.”

“
Are you aware he’s thinking of seeking a wife?”

“
Yes, he mentioned it.”

Leah drew a sharp breath. “Has he a lady in mind?”

A slight grin curled Lady Chase’s lips. “Oh, I’m certain of it, my dear.”

###

Nicolas stared at the ball of yarn sitting on his desk.
Green
yarn. Now he understood why Adrian had kept the other one.

What the devil was I thinking?

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. To stand beneath a lady’s balcony uttering words of high praise might be mistaken for a proper proposal of marriage. If O’Connell hadn’t interrupted them, he likely would’ve proposed to Leah Sheridan on the spot.

Trinity O’Connell.

He groaned inwardly. The man was vermin. A leech. An irritating worm working for a cunning snake. What was he doing at Greyson Manor and why had he been standing outside Miss Sheridan’s bedroom in the middle of the night?

He should’ve asked her.

He did, did he not?

Had she replied?

He couldn’t recall.

“
Your Grace?”

Nicolas opened his eyes.

His solicitor frowned.

“
Yes, Harcourt?”

“
I was saying my visit with the magistrate went well yesterday. Seems the man knew your grandfather, and he’s willing to hear your argument regarding young Edwin’s adoption. He’s asked to meet with you in two weeks.”

“
So soon?”

“
Well, yes. I had assumed this news would please you.”

“
It does, however...” Nicolas pushed back from the desk and stood. “I had planned to take your advice and ask Miss Sheridan to consider...” He stared at the yarn briefly. “Well, to consider becoming my fiancée. At least until Edwin’s adoption is complete.”

“
Excellent news, however I would omit that last detail when speaking to the magistrate.”

“
Yes, well, I’m no longer sure I should ask for Miss Sheridan’s help. She was my brother’s fiancée, and she’s gone through a great deal this past year. I do not care to traumatize her further.” He stared beyond the window. “It would be cruel to ask her to go along with such a hoax.”

As cruel as entertaining thoughts that she might one day forget Adrian?

The idea should’ve never entered his mind. It had, and he couldn’t erase it.

Harcourt cleared his throat. “Forgive me for asking, your Grace, but are you certain this child is Lord Adrian’s?”

“
Without a doubt,” Nicolas replied. Each time he looked at Edwin, he saw the resemblance to his brother. “Harcourt, that note I entrusted you with…did you deliver it to the
Standard’s
editor?”

“
I handed it to Mister Turnbull personally.”

“
One less problem to worry about.”

“
I beg your pardon?”

“
Never mind. Mister Harcourt, have you a wife?”

“
I do.”

“
Might I inquire as to how long?”