The Promise by V J Dunraven

Author:V J Dunraven [Dunraven, V J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781479183630
Amazon: 1479183636
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2012-09-14T07:00:00+00:00

Cassie’s cheeks colored into a deep shade of red. “I-I—”

“Why don’t you run along and see the Duke?” Jeremy released her, angry now for being put on the spot. “Gordon told me you were here for a visit.”

“Yes.” Cassie immediately scampered away without looking at either of them.

Jeremy watched her disappear through the doorway before he turned irately at Richard. “What are you trying to suggest?”

“I should be the one who should ask you that.” Richard pinned cold blue eyes at him.

Jeremy clenched his jaw. Richard had always been a keen interrogator. He had been careless—he should have discussed details with Cassie and prepared for questioning from him. Richard was the kind of man who would not be easily persuaded—especially if he suspected something was amiss.

“Are you trying to imply that I am unfaithful to Cassie?” Jeremy asked in a rigid tone.

“Are you?”

“Whether I am or not, I believe it is none of your business.”

“Cassie’s well-being is my business.” Richard straightened to his full height—an inch over his own.

“Is it now? Did you even wonder about her well-being when you came home with your betrothed in tow? Do you know how much that hurt her?”

Richard eyes softened for a moment. “Why—I don’t understand—why would my engagement wound her?”

“Because she waited for you, you idiot!” Jeremy jabbed a finger on his chest. “Every Christmas, she sat by that damn window overlooking Rose Hill Manor drive, waiting for you to come back! Ten years, Richard—she waited ten fucking years and when you finally came home, you had Glenford’s daughter with you.”

“Good God.” Richard shoved his fingers through his hair. “I had no idea she would take a childhood promise so seriously.”

“Yes—it’s goddamn stupid—unbelievable even, but there you have it—she did. She was devoted to you and she missed you terribly. And when you returned with another girl, she felt betrayed. In her mind, she thought you had forgotten her—it didn’t matter if she saw you as her best friend, or her idol, or if she was infatuated with you. When she saw that other chit by your side, she thought you had replaced her.”

“Lord—no, that isn’t true,” Richard shook his head. “I missed her too, but I have always remembered her as a little girl of eight years. I admit I never pictured her as a grown young woman.”

“Well, she is—now.”

“And you’ve asked to marry her and she accepted,” Richard said gravely.

“Yes.”

“When you did decide to get leg-shackled? I didn’t get the impression that you were ready for a lifetime commitment.”

Jeremy shrugged. “I am. I took the plunge, didn’t I?”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.