Promise Me Read Online Free

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