Promise Me (28 page)

“
Very well but keep your voice down.” Leah approached Polly. “His Grace is giving you the chance to defend yourself. Do you understand?”

“
Yes, miss.” She sat on the edge of her bed, clasped her hands together in her lap, then drew a sporadic breath. “I met that she-witch three years ago. I’d just been released from Ecclesfield.”

“
What do you mean...released?”

“
Ecclesfield is a workhouse for orphaned children,” Chase explained.

“
And none more miserable,” Polly muttered.

“
I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“
And why would you, miss? You being a proper lady.”

“
How long were you there?”

“
Since birth, I was told. The name Wharton doesn’t belong to me. I took it from a kind woman who worked in the laundry house.”

“
How did you get involved with someone like Miss Santiago?”

“
I had nowhere else to go, miss.”

“
When an orphan reaches the age of maturity, usually around seventeen, they are sent out into society to find employment.” Chase strolled to the window and pulled back the drapes. The gray light of morning filtered into the room. “Most end up on the streets begging for food.”

“
That’s where I found myself,” Polly declared. “With no coin and no place to sleep. Miss Santiago took me in and fed me. She gave me a room at the Boar’s Head and offered me work. I didn’t mind being a barmaid, but then...” A faint shutter ran through her slight frame. “
She
called it comfort, but I knew it was a sin against God.”

Outraged and disgusted at what this girl had had to endure, Leah turned to the duke. “Can anything be done to close establishments like the Boar’s Head?”

“
Not unless the authorities wish to cooperate.”

“
Are you implying that this type of debauchery is actually accepted?”

“
Welcomed is a better interpretation.”

Leah sat beside Polly. “I understand that you were grateful to Miss Santiago, but could you not have found respectable employment somewhere else?”

“
What respectable family would hire an orphan who’d worked at the Boar’s Head? Not someone like Lady Chase. If she’s told about my past, she’ll dismiss me without hesitation. Where would I go then?”

“
To Greyson Manor. As my lady’s maid.”

“
Thank you, Miss Sheridan, but surely a fine lady such as yourself already employs a personal maid.”

“
Well, yes, but that’s not the point, Polly. You clearly need help.”

“
Why would you wish to help me, miss? I’ve done nothing but take your money and lie to you.”

“
Because no woman, no matter her station in life, should be forced to trade her dignity in order to survive.”

Tears shimmered in Polly’s eyes. “Miss Santiago would never allow me to leave her employ.”

“
It isn’t up to her. You’re free to do whatever you like.”

“
No, miss. If I do not do what that witch says, she’ll send me to Newgate.”

“
Prison?” the duke questioned. “For what crime?”

“
Murder, your Grace.” Polly’s shoulders slumped even lower. “Of my infant daughter.”

“
I do not understand,” Leah said. “That night at the inn, when Lady Ashburn questioned you about your child, you claimed it was stillborn.”

Tears spilled down the girl’s cheeks. “My little babe was so tiny. Barely two weeks. One night I drifted off to sleep with her nursing at my breast. When I woke, she wasn’t breathing.”

Leah’s throat swelled. “It was an accident.”

“
Bless you, miss, but her death was due to my carelessness. And do you know what that dreadful woman said when I told her?”

A foreboding chill traveled down Leah’s spine.

“
She said I was better off without that little nuisance hanging about my neck. Can you imagine, miss?”

“
No, I cannot.”

Poor Edwin. Had he encountered such coldness?

“
Miss Wharton, do you recall when my brother first visited the Boar’s Head?”

She nodded. “About two years ago. Lord Adrian asked for a glass of ale to quench his thirst, but Miss Santiago tricked him. She poisoned his drink so she could nurse him back to health, all the while pretending to be a kind and caring soul. One week, your Grace. That’s all she needed.”

One week. Two years ago.

Adrian had claimed a business matter had kept him away longer than he’d expected. When Leah had innocently inquired as to the nature of his business, he had become evasive. She’d thought his behavior odd. Now it made perfect sense.

“
Grateful, his lordship was,” Polly added. “And far more trusting than he should’ve been, but he was no match for that trollop. Your gentleman took pity on me, miss. Most likely because I was with child. He must’ve seen my shame, for he offered to find me a respectable position, but then...” She wiped her eyes. “When I heard of his death, I figured it was God’s way of keeping me where I belonged.”

Leah stood. A cold numbness reached into her soul. “I accused Adrian of having no honor.” She stared out the small window at the sun rising beyond the distant meadow. “I was mistaken.” She placed her hand on Polly’s shoulder but avoided the duke’s gaze. “I believe he would’ve eventually found you a position. I simply wish he’d given his son the same amount of empathy.”

“
His lordship was overcome with shame, miss.”

“
Perhaps, but it didn’t stop him from setting his mistress up in a cozy cottage with expensive furnishings.”

Chase turned away.

Leah realized too late she should’ve respected his feelings.

“
The money for that cottage didn’t come from Lord Adrian’s coffers,” Polly explained. “Nor did the fancy furnishings.”

“
How do you know?”

“
All of it belonged to an old sea captain who had a fondness for Miss Santiago. He willed her the deed to the cottage and land along with the Boar’s Head. If the old gent hadn’t died of consumption, I might’ve suspected she’d murdered him.” Polly sucked in a quick breath. “I know about the forged letters, miss. That witch gave them to Irma Crandle because she figured the contents would likely be printed in the woman’s gossip column.”

“
I imagine it will at some point.”

“
No, they will not,” Chase insisted. “Because Miss Crandle and I reached an agreement.”

“
What sort of agreement?”

“
Have you read the
Standard’s
gossip lately?”

“
I scanned through it.”

“
Any references to you or Adrian?”

“
Surprisingly, no, but I’m curious. What could you possible offer Miss Crandle that would keep her from doing what she obviously enjoys?”

“
Our bargain was if she ceased mentioning you or my brother in her column, I’d keep her true identity a secret.”

“
You met her? Who is she?”

“
I’m sorry, Miss Sheridan, but I generally keep my word.” One corner of his mouth twitched. “Oh, and...you’re welcome.”

“
You expect me to applaud your gallantry?”

“
If it pleases you.”

“
Such arrogance,” Leah muttered beneath her breath, but in truth she appreciated the duke’s efforts to save her from further humiliation. “I swear I do not understand Maria Santiago.”

“
What’s to understand, miss? The woman’s heart is as black as her hair.”

“
Miss Wharton, why do you suppose Miss Santiago waited more than a year to make Edwin’s family aware of his birth?”

“
She never confided in me, your Grace, but I once heard her say that Lord Adrian’s grandmother would be more willing to accept the truth if it came from her own kind.”

“
You mean from someone like Miss Sheridan?”

“
Yes.”

“
I begged Miss Santiago to go to Lady Chase, and I promised to accompany her,” Leah stated. “But she adamantly refused.”

“
More than likely she was waiting for the proper time and circumstances,” the duke noted. “Miss Sheridan, may I speak with you in private?”

“
Yes, of course.”

Once outside the nursery, Chase closed the door. “I believe I understand now.” He steered Leah a few feet away. “Adrian may have been a reckless fool, but he would’ve never discussed his family with his mistress. While he was recuperating in Miss Santiago’s care, her spies were likely discovering how much he was worth. I suspect she purposely got with child in order to further her blackmail scheme. She didn’t count on my brother confessing his sins to you.”

“
Adrian’s death must’ve drastically altered her plans.”

“
I expect so. While waiting for me to return to England, she amused herself at your expense, playing upon your sympathies. After I returned, she abandoned Edwin, forcing you to assume responsibility for the child. Being a proper lady, she suspected you’d have no choice but to bring Edwin to his family and that we would trust your explanation of who the boy’s father was.”

“
You believe she devised this wicked scheme for the sole purpose of obtaining half of Drake Shipping?”

He nodded. “Gran and I were given just enough time to become attached to Edwin to the point where we’d do almost anything in order to keep him. I became a helpless puppet controlled by a vindictive puppet master, and I performed exactly as expected.”

“
As did I.”

“
According to Irma Crandle, Miss Santiago duped plenty more victims. We may never know how many.”

“
What about Polly?”

“
Another unfortunate puppet.”

“
I meant, do you intend to dismiss her?”

“
Yes.”

“
But, your Grace, you just said she’s not to blame.”

“
Did I?”

“
You implied as much. We both know Polly Wharton is a casualty of extreme poverty and God only knows what else. If you dismiss her, her chances for a decent life slide right back to where it began.”

“
Miss Sheridan--”

“
I meant what I said, your Grace. If you terminate Polly, I’ll employ her.”

He hesitated. “Miss Wharton can stay.”

“
Thank you.”

They turned back toward the nursery. Outside the door, the duke stepped in front of her, blocking her entrance. “Just so you know, my change of heart had nothing to do with your amateurish blackmail attempt or the shameless pleading in your beautiful green eyes.”

Her heart fluttered. “Of course not. And I wasn’t attempting blackmail.”

“
I’m relieved. My reasoning is of a practical nature. What better way to learn what Maria Santiago is up to than to have her spy report to us?”

“
A logical presumption, I suppose.”

He opened the door and ushered her inside.

Polly rose from the bed, her face pensive. “Your Grace, you mustn’t return Edwin to Miss Santiago. She doesn’t care for him. She never did.”

“
Rest assured, Miss Wharton, that I will continue to see to my nephew’s care. Now, about your employment...”

Her posture straightened. “I’ll pack my things.”

“
That won’t be necessary.”

“
Then...you’re not dismissing me?”

“
Since Edwin requires a proper nanny for the next five or six years, and I’d like to avoid burdening Miss Sheridan with an extra servant…no, you’ll not be dismissed.”

When it came to honor, the Duke of Chase rarely disappointed Leah.

“
I’m grateful, your Grace,” Polly stammered. “But Miss Santiago…she’ll send the authorities for me if I don’t do as she asks.”

“
Miss Wharton, I’ve demonstrated my willingness to trust you by retaining your services, but at some point you’ll have to trust me. Why not start now?”

“
Listen to the duke, Polly. He’d never allow anyone to harm you.”

“
I’ve no cause to doubt his sincerity, Miss Sheridan, or yours, but trust usually comes at a high price for orphans.”

“
You’re no longer an orphan,” Leah declared. “You belong to a family now.”

“
Bless you, miss. You’ve a generous soul.” Polly drew a breath, her eyes shimmering. “I love little Edwin, your Grace, and I’ll watch over him with my own life. You’ve shown me a rare kindness, even after hearing the awful truth.”

“
Everyone makes mistakes, Miss Wharton.” He smiled at Leah. “Even me.”

Chapter Nineteen

The day before the Bal Masque, Leah sent word to the stables to saddle two horses then she and Katrina set out for Ashburn Hall to visit Anne, who’d returned home the previous evening. They stayed for lunch, and afterwards Henry’s nanny brought him down to the parlor.

Leah cradled the child in her arms while Rebecca and Katrina flanked both sides of her chair.

“
Mother, why do infants sleep most of the time?”

“
Because that is all they
can
do, Rebecca.”

Kat leaned close to Henry. “He’s smell nice. Like butterflies and honey.”