The Promise

“Yes, I am.”

He finally tore open the paper, and Elysse glimpsed the gleaming dark brown fur. She gasped as a sable coat fell into his hands.

“Alexi! You remembered—and you even made it into a coat!”

“Let’s see if it fits.” He settled it on her shoulders, and she slid her arms into the sleeves.

Elysse wrapped herself in it. “It fits perfectly.” She met his gaze. “You didn’t forget.”

“I said I’d bring you a Russian sable,” he said roughly. “I never say what I don’t mean. I never forget a promise when I make one.”

Tears came to her eyes as she was cocooned in the fur coat and she became aware of his hands on her shoulders. “How can I accept this?” she asked unsteadily, her eyes searching his. She didn’t know why the coat meant so much to her. It was the most precious gift she had ever received.

“How can you refuse?” he returned. “I won’t take it back.”

He finally dropped his gaze and paced away from her. She watched him, still stunned, feeling mesmerized. She was so happy he was home, she thought nervously. Why did he have to ever leave?

Alexi faced her. “I don’t like you toying with my pilot, Elysse.”

She stiffened. His eyes were serious. She didn’t want to argue. “I am not toying with him. I enjoy his company.” She was aware that she dissembled, that the pilot meant nothing to her.

“You flirted shamelessly with him and you know it.”

She inhaled, hurt by his words. “That is unfair. Every woman flirts. Why are you doing this now?”

“I am protecting you. Flirt as you will—and I know you will flirt insatiably—but just not with my pilot.”

“You were flirting even more shamelessly with Louisa.”

He smiled slowly, without mirth. “I’m a man and a de Warenne at that. She is a woman—and a widow.”

He had just made his intentions clear. He would pursue Louisa, but not for marriage, oh, no. Why did his affair hurt her even more than his criticism? She took off the coat, breathing hard. “I hope you enjoy yourself.”

“You sound peeved. No, you sound jealous. Are you jealous, Elysse?”

Was moisture gathering in her eyes? “I’m a lady. I would hardly be jealous of one of your paramours.” But in that moment, she did not understand her own feelings.

His gaze changed and became searching. “William is my friend. I owe him my life. I am asking you to cease your flirtation and leave him alone. I see no good coming of a relationship between you both.”

Because she trusted him, she was almost ready to agree. But would he leave Louisa alone if she asked? She knew the answer to that question. “We are going for a carriage drive, Alexi. He is hardly a suitor! Who is jealous now?”

He flushed. “Playing with his affections is a mistake, Elysse. Trust me. I know.”

“I’m just being friendly. He’s your guest—last night he was our guest. I don’t understand why you are being so difficult.”

Alexi approached her. His face was set with determination but his long strides were unhurried. She tensed impossibly. He paused before her, and she started when his fingertips grazed her cheek. “And what will you do if he courts you seriously?”

It was almost impossible to think. “If he wants to court me?” He was tucking a tendril of hair behind her ear. Elysse felt her pulse explode. “I don’t know… It is my choice to make!”

He dropped his hand to his side and said flatly, “I don’t trust him.”

She wanted him to lay his hand on her face again—or her shoulder—or her arm or anywhere else that he chose. Her entire body felt inflamed. Confused, she backed away. She had known Alexi forever—no matter how dashing and handsome he was, he was her friend! “That is absurd. What could he possibly do? He may be a pilot but he is a gentleman—at heart, anyway.”

“He isn’t a gentleman, Elysse. I know firsthand. I am warning you that his pursuit of a woman can be ruthless.”

“Why are you doing this?” she cried, frustrated but uncertain why.

“I am trying to protect you,” he said.

She started. For the first time in years, she recalled the promise he had made to her so long ago in Ireland, when they were children. “I am flattered and grateful, but I don’t need your protection, Alexi.”

They stared at one another and the moment felt interminable. He finally said, “He has been blinded by your beauty and lost all common sense.”

“Nonsense,” she managed.

“Don’t you expect all men to lose their judgment when confronted with the possibility of being with you, even if only for a moment?” he asked, very softly.

“No,” she somehow whispered, “I don’t.”

“Liar,” he returned, their gazes locked.

She trembled and reached for his arms. His eyes widened as she clasped his powerful biceps. Elysse felt as if her skin was on fire. It was hard to think. She didn’t really know what she was doing, but holding on to Alexi now felt so terribly right, even if her heart seemed to be trying to pound its way out of her chest.

To her disappointment, he pulled away from her. His own cheeks were flushed and his blue eyes glittered. For one moment, he looked at her, his stare shockingly bold.

Elysse backed up as he turned away from her. She hugged herself. Her body was screaming at her. There was no more doubt as to what was happening to her. She desired Alexi, and it was a desire she’d never felt before.

He said roughly, “Could you fall in love with him? A man without a title, a master of the seas? A simple, courageous seaman who is brave and determined?” He cleared his throat, slowly facing her. “We both know Devlin will do anything you want him to do. If you wanted to marry the pilot, he would approve—if it was for love.”

What was Alexi talking about? “Are you talking about Mr. Montgomery?”

He nodded. “Who else would I be speaking of? Who else has come here to see you today?”

The room seemed to spin. She had never felt more off balance. “I like him, but I am not in love with him. I doubt I will ever fall in love with him.” Why were they discussing the pilot? Why didn’t Alexi take her in his arms? Didn’t he feel the blinding need, too?

His stare was hard and intense, unwavering. It was a long time before he spoke. “Then maybe you should tell him, very frankly, what you have just told me.” He turned to leave, adding, “Instead of leading him on so merrily.”

She hurried after him. “We are going for a carriage ride! I am not leading anyone on!”

“I think he is smitten, and you know it! He may even be calculating his chances of a legitimate courtship, Elysse. You are deliberately leading him on.”

“I am doing no such thing. Since you have come home, it is as if you think the worst of me!”

“You are always the lady in the room with a dozen admirers.”

“I am twenty years old and unwed! Should I turn away from possible suitors?”

“Have you ever turned anyone away?” he demanded.

She shrank. “You make me sound like a harlot!”

“You flirt like one.”

She was stricken. “That isn’t true.”

“Do what you want, Elysse,” he finally said grimly. “You always do.”

“And you do not?” she demanded furiously.

He strode through the library. She ran after him, then paused on the threshold. What was she doing? She had been watching well-bred ladies chasing him for years. She could hardly behave like that! She clung to the library door, aghast and bewildered.

He glanced back at her. “I’m glad you like the coat,” he said. “William is waiting in the other room.”

Elysse didn’t answer; she couldn’t.

CHAPTER THREE

ELYSSE CLUNG TO THE SAFETY STRAP of the black lacquer carriage she shared with her parents and brother as it passed through the heavy wrought-iron gates that guarded the de Warenne property. Those gates were open now, flanked by stone curtain walls that stretched away into the distance. As their coach entered the long shell drive, she could see the house, pale and gray, in the distance. Windhaven was silhouetted against the twilight skies and lights blazed from the windows.

Impossibly dashing in his tuxedo, Jack dug his elbow into her ribs and jeered.

She frowned at him.

“Someone has to bring you down,” he said, grinning.

She decided to ignore him. Their mother reproved Jack, murmuring for him to stop teasing his sister.

Elysse stared out of her carriage window, clinging to the strap. Several days had passed since that stunning encounter with Alexi in her father’s library. The fact that he had remembered his promise to bring her a Russian fur gave her so much pleasure, yet she hadn’t forgotten her disbelief and hurt that he had practically called her a harlot. She was certain he hadn’t meant it—he couldn’t have meant it. Mostly, though, she couldn’t stop recalling the explosion of desire she had experienced when he had so casually touched her. And she kept remembering the smoldering look in his eyes, before he’d turned away from her. But maybe she had imagined her desire and his response to it. She wasn’t sure what to expect when they came face-to-face again that night.

He hadn’t been back to Askeaton since he’d brought her the fur, and she knew why he hadn’t called. She’d heard plenty of gossip about his comings and goings. Apparently he was squiring Louisa Cochrane about the countryside on a nearly constant basis.

She shouldn’t care who he was carrying on with, but every time she thought of him with the other woman, pain knifed through her heart.

She had tried to remind herself that their dalliance was nothing unusual, not really, for Alexi was always having an affair. He remained her steadfast friend. But for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel reassured. Confusion and doubt reigned. She had even debated going to Windhaven on the pretext of calling on Ariella. Somehow she had restrained herself. He would see through such a sham instantly, and mock her desire to see him.

It almost felt as if he were deliberately avoiding her. But why would he do that?

The carriage had slowed, entering the end of the queue of coaches and carriages in front of the house. Cliff had built Windhaven the same year he had brought his son home from Jamaica, in honor of his bride, Amanda. The three-story house was Georgian in design, with four corner towers and a high, sloping slate roof. The gardens surrounding it were magnificent, filled mostly with roses—everyone in the county knew how fond Amanda was of English roses. His stables were of pale beige stone, as were the servants’ living quarters. It was a palatial home, and testimony to the success of his worldwide shipping empire.

Two dozen conveyances were lined up ahead of them, Elysse saw. She recognized the gilded coach belonging to the Earl of Adare. Tyrell de Warenne was Cliff’s oldest brother and Alexi’s uncle. He could have gone to the head of the queue, of course, but he had chosen to await his turn, like anyone else. Clearly, no one had declined Amanda’s invitation, but then, there was nothing like an Irish country ball, and these days, with corn so dear, the workhouses full and the National Debt a dinnertime topic of conversation, they were few and far between.

Jack patted her knee. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Montgomery will ask you for a waltz or two.”

She glared at him. Montgomery was not the man keeping her wide awake at nights, although he had turned out to be a very gallant suitor. Elysse had enjoyed his stories of the sea. By now, she knew almost every detail of what had transpired from the moment Alexi had first met the pilot on the St. Lawrence in Lower Canada. Of course, Montgomery had not told her about the day he had saved Alexi’s life. She knew that Montgomery agreed that she was too delicate to withstand those details, just as she also knew he thought her enthralled with his stories. She was enthralled, but not for the reason he believed. Through Montgomery’s tales, she had pieced together so many details of the past two years of Alexi’s life.

Their drive in the country had been a very pleasant one. He was handsome, charming and intelligent, and he often made her laugh. He was very attentive, and she wondered if Alexi was right in insisting that Montgomery was thoroughly taken with her. She did feel a bit guilty that she did not return those feelings.

In fact, their last outing had been somewhat awkward. They had decided to wait out an intense rain shower in a farmer’s stable, but when he had helped her out of the carriage she had somehow wound up in his arms. She was experienced enough to realize he had maneuvered her into the position. As they waited for the rain to stop, Elysse had caught him looking at her with open male interest, and she’d been certain that Montgomery wanted to kiss her. That had made her anxious and uncomfortable, as she had no wish to be kissed by him or any of her suitors. Kisses were, of course, highly improper and she’d never received more than a peck on the check or a lingering kiss on the hand. She had wondered briefly if she was leading him on, as Alexi had accused her of doing. But every debutante she knew enjoyed the company of numerous suitors, including those they did not take seriously.

She had kept up a stream of lively conversation and he had never made the advance, much to her relief. Instead, the rain had abated and they had returned to Askeaton.

He’d asked if he could call on her again. It had crossed her mind that she should do as Alexi had asked—she should tell Montgomery, very frankly, that he was just a friend. She did not want to lead him on or give him false hope, not really. But then she thought of how Alexi was ignoring her—and how preoccupied he was with Louisa. Surely she was entitled to a casual flirtation, when he was wildly involved with his paramour!

So instead of telling Montgomery the truth, she had invited him to Adare. The earl had not been at home, but she had introduced him to the countess. Lizzie had insisted on giving them refreshments and her daughter Margery had joined them. It had been a very pleasant afternoon. Afterward she had given him a tour of the ancestral mansion, regaling him with the family’s long and convoluted history, which went back to Norman times. Montgomery had seemed at ease with everyone and everything, but when they were driving home he had confessed he had never met a countess before, much less been in a palace like Adare.

“I would have never known.” Elysse had smiled. She decided not to tell him that Adare was hardly a palace.

“I have never met a princess like you, either,” he had said, his gaze searing.

His look was too bold for her comfort now. “I am hardly a princess! You are teasing me, sir.”

“For a man like me, you are a dream come true,” he had said, obviously meaning every word. “When I am with you, sometimes I wonder if I am dreaming and I will wake up to find out that these moments have never happened. You are a princess in every possible way, to me, at least.”

She had been flattered. Where Alexi thought she flirted like a harlot, William Montgomery thought her a princess. When he had smiled warmly at her, she had smiled back, and then they had driven the rest of the way to Askeaton, chatting, their friendship somehow stronger.

She had received her invitation to Amanda’s “celebratory spring ball” a few days ago. A personal note had been enclosed. Amanda had written that the ball was being held in her stepson’s honor, to welcome Alexi home from China properly and to celebrate his stunningly successful run.

Her heart skipped a beat or two. She knew Alexi’s plans—Montgomery had revealed them. He would not run for China till early summer, as the first pick of tea was in July and it took a good month or more to send it down to the Cantonese warehouses from the interior; it could take another month or more to negotiate for the cargo and its price. And that was if he got the first pick again, which the pilot said was by no means a certainty. The trade was so highly competitive! November was the most dangerous month in which to beat down the China Sea—while the monsoon which came from the northeast was a terrific boon, it was accompanied by terrible typhoons, and few captains would disembark that month. Even Alexi preferred to depart in December. Elysse realized that once he left in June, he would not be home until March—a full year from now.

And he had no intention of carousing in Dublin or London until June. Next week he would return to Liverpool to pick up a cargo for a short Mediterranean run. When he returned from Cyprus, Elysse would be certain to be in London to see him. Maybe by then this strange impasse would be forgotten and they would be friends again.

But did she really want to return to their old friendship? She thought about being in his arms and her skin tingled. Except Louisa Cochrane was the woman in his arms. She had, somehow, been completely forgotten.

But tonight she intended to change that.

It was their turn to alight from the coach. She was terribly nervous about seeing Alexi again. Jack dutifully helped her down, her voluminous satin skirts being somewhat treacherous. She was wearing her most stunning dress tonight. The gown was at once sophisticated and daring—even her brother’s eyes had widened when he had first seen her in it. Of lavender silk, the low-cut bodice revealed a great deal of her chest and shoulders. The dress boasted expansive demigigot sleeves while the equally full skirts were intricately beaded and the narrow waistline was banded with darker velvet and a bow. She wore amethyst and diamond jewelry to complete the ensemble. Surely Alexi would notice her now.

As he guided her to the front door, Jack whispered, “I wonder, Elysse, just whom are you wearing that dress for?”

She flushed and glared at him. Elysse kept her voice low. “I have no idea what you mean.”

He grinned at her. “After you, sister.”

Standing at the front door with Cliff and Amanda was the guest of honor.

Alexi looked directly at her. Elysse paused behind her parents, trying not to make a sharp sound. She hadn’t seen Alexi in formal evening wear in years. He was so devastatingly handsome, so impossibly male. Now she knew she hadn’t imagined the desire she had felt earlier in the week. Her heart leaped. If she wasn’t careful, he would guess that she had somehow become terribly attracted to him. Suddenly, when she was usually the queen of every ball and the center of so much attention, she did not know what to do. How on earth could she get him to realize that she was a beautiful woman?

She dared to glance at him again. Although he moved to greet her parents, his gaze was unwavering upon her.

She wondered if he knew about her second outing with Montgomery. It was now her turn to greet their hosts. She kissed Amanda’s cheek, murmuring a greeting, and smiled at Cliff. Even as she gave Cliff her hand, she felt Alexi staring at her. Heat crested in her cheeks. Slowly, she looked up.

“Hello, Elysse.” He spoke softly—intimately—taking her entirely by surprise. “You are stunning tonight. Clearly, you will be the belle of this ball.”

She knew he meant it and she smiled at him, thrilled. “And you are so very handsome in your tuxedo, Alexi. Surely you are the most dashing gentleman here.”

She thought she saw some amusement in his blue eyes, but she couldn’t be certain. His dark brows lifted. “Is Jack your escort?”

She felt her tension escalate and she wet her lips. “I don’t have an escort,” she managed. “So we are no longer arguing?”

His gaze held her own regard. “We are not arguing. I don’t want to fight with you.”

She smiled happily, but she was aware of remaining incredibly nervous. “Do you really like my dress?”

His long, thick, black lashes lowered. It was a moment before she realized that his gaze had moved down her bodice before jerking back up to her face. A slight flush marked his high cheekbones. “Of course I like the dress. Every man here will like the dress. It is indecent on an unwed woman, Elysse.” His tone seemed rough.

Before she could protest that his claim was absurd, he said, “But when you chose it, you knew that you would attract even more attention than you usually do.”

She trembled. She had chosen the dress to attract his attention, but she could hardly admit that. “Every woman dresses up for a ball, especially when there are so few these days.”

He did not respond and she realized they were holding up the line. She lowered her voice and said, “I heard that you are leaving for Cyprus soon.”

His gaze sharpened. Without turning, he said to Cliff, “Excuse us for a moment.”

“What are you doing?” she asked, as he pulled her from the front of the queue. They moved toward the long ebony console set against the pale stone wall. A tall, gilded baroque mirror was above it. In it, she saw their reflections—his serious, hers almost frightened. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Montgomery watching them, but she couldn’t care about that now.

“Yes, I will embark for Cyprus within days. How did you hear that?” he demanded.

She hesitated, not wanting to admit that Montgomery had told her.

He laughed. “As if I don’t know.”

“Are we going to argue again?” she cried, dismayed. “You have been so terribly preoccupied since your return, we have hardly had a word. I was hoping I might even have a dance with you,” she said. She felt her cheeks flame at the idea of having to ask him for a dance—and all because she wanted to be in his arms. She did not want to discuss Montgomery now. “You haven’t called.”

He avoided her eyes. “I have been busy.”

She hated Louisa Cochrane. How had that fat old hen caught his attention? “Were you planning to call and say goodbye, or did you mean to simply sail away for another two years?”

His gaze shot to hers, filled with surprise. “You sound accusing. Did you miss me, Elysse? Surely you were too busy with your five marriage proposals to ever think of me!”

She fumbled with her beaded purse. She had missed him, and she would miss him even more when he left this time. “I never expected you to stay away for so long,” she said, at a loss. His brows rose and she whispered, “Two and a half years is a very long time.”

After a long moment, he said, “Yes, it is.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him to forgo the short run to Cyprus and back. “Why didn’t you come home?”

“I meant to do so after I returned from Canada, but I was offered a bonus for a timely run to Jamaica, and I could not refuse the agent.”

It had been business, she thought, but that did not make it any easier. “Are you ever homesick, when you are away?” What she wanted to know was if he had missed her.

His gaze widened. “Of course I am. I am homesick all of the time. It is lonely on the high seas, Elysse, especially on the night watch.”

She imagined him at the helm on his clipper ship in the Indian Ocean, the night black but bright and starry, the ship’s mainsails full, canvas moaning in the breeze. “I know how much you love the sea, how you love adventure.”

“Loneliness is a small price to pay,” he agreed. “The sea will always be my mistress.”

A naval captain’s daughter, she understood. “Don’t stay away again for so long,” she heard herself say. She flushed.

“Why would it matter, when you are so preoccupied with your parties and balls, and with your endless parade of suitors?”

“Of course it matters,” she said, his stare making her uncomfortable. “We are friends.”

“I wonder how many new suits there will be, by the time I next return?”

His tone was mild and she did not know what to say. “I am unwed. Of course there will be new suitors.”

“But every suitor does not rate a tour of Adare and a rest in our neighbor’s stables.”

He knew about her two outings with Montgomery. “It was raining,” she managed. “We had to escape the rain.”

His eyes flickered. “Of course, he behaved properly.”

She almost told him that Montgomery had looked at her as if he wanted to kiss her. “He was a perfect gentleman.”

Alexis glanced away. “Then you are very fortunate.” His gaze lifted to hers. “I asked you not to play him, Elysse.”