Love's Promise by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt [Holt, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, historical romance
ISBN: 9781482767179
Amazon: B00CJG5Z26
Goodreads: 17741668
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2013-04-01T16:00:00+00:00

“I’m so happy that you’ve returned safe and sound.” Rebecca forced pleasantness into her tone.

They were away from the party and strolling down a garden path, the lanterns reflecting off her diamond necklace and golden gown so that she glowed.

“I’m delighted to hear it,” Michael said.

He glanced over at her, and her jaw was clenched so tightly that he was surprised she could open her mouth to speak.

He hadn’t intended to make an appearance at the soiree, but somehow, Rebecca had learned he was home. Anne had sent a frantic note upstairs, informing him that Rebecca was asking after him, and Michael hadn’t been able to think of a valid reason not to come down.

Though she was trying hard not to show it, Rebecca was enraged, and he couldn’t blame her. For all her snobbish ways, she was only twenty—the same age as Fanny, a devilish voice reminded him—and barely beyond adolescence.

She should have had all the grandeur and romance a girl deserved with the approach of her wedding, and he wasn’t such a scoundrel that he’d revel in denying them to her. He wished he could fix the rift that had developed between them, or that he could explain why he was suddenly so distracted.

He felt as if he’d metamorphosed into a man he didn’t recognize—a man with two identities and two separate lives. He was marrying a woman he scarcely knew and didn’t like while he was carrying on a torrid affair with another whom he adored.

“Your brother always enjoyed walking in the garden.”

It was the very worst thing she could have said, the most insulting comment she could have made. In his view, the number one point against her was that she’d been betrothed to John first.

He could hardly keep from snapping at her.

“And he loved parties,” Michael stated. “He loved to dance.”

“He certainly did.”

They continued on, silent, miserable.

Ultimately, she ventured, “Where have you been? I was worried.”

“Were you?”

“Yes.”

There was a hint of sarcasm in her query that had him wondering what was behind it. Had there been rumors? Was she probing into his private life? He was about to marry her. Wasn’t she entitled?

“I had business at Henley Hall.”

“Nothing disastrous, I hope?”

“No.”

He’d been suffocating in the house, and when she’d suggested they take the night air, he’d jumped at the chance, but the mansion was getting farther and farther away, and he yearned for the crowd so he wouldn’t be stuck alone with her.

“I heard the strangest story,” she broached.

“What is that?”

“I heard you took Miss Carrington with you.” She peeked up at him. “Did you?”

He sucked in a deep breath, held it, let it out. He felt as if he was perched on a high cliff and about to leap off into space.

“Yes. I decided it was best to get her out of London.”

“Is she staying at Henley Hall?”

The residence was about to be Rebecca’s home, and she was aghast.

“No, she’s not at the Hall. I simply escorted her to the country. She’s visiting... relatives.”

“I wasn’t aware that she had any.

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