the Promise (2010) by Joyce Brenda

Author:Joyce, Brenda [Brenda, Joyce,]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN
Published: 2011-01-14T19:13:51.734000+00:00

ELYSSE’S MOUTH HURT FROM the effort of forcing smile after smile all night long. Blair’s coach had finally halted on the graveled drive in front of the stone steps leading up to the door of the Oxford house. The evening had been interminable. She had barely seen or heard LaScalla’s performance; she had spent most of it watching Louisa leaning against Alexi, her hand on his arm as they whispered to one another. She might thoroughly despise him, but he still had the power to hurt her.

As discussed, Blair and Alexi had gone off together during the intermission. Ariella had sent St. Xavier after them, perhaps to act as referee. She had almost bitten her nails, waiting for them to return. But when they had come back to their seats, neither man had seemed terribly put out. According to Blair, he and Alexi had merely discussed the state of the British economy, its current recession and possible remedies to the National Debt.

With Louisa present, Elysse had not been able to demand just what her friend had been thinking to invite Alexi to the opera, much less with his latest paramour. She had done her best to be amiable to the other woman. Unfortunately, Louisa had been quite pleasant—and rather likable. She had even dared to take Elysse’s hand and tell her how fortunate she was, to be married to such a dashing hero. Somehow, Elysse had managed to agree, while inwardly seething.

Ariella had seemed quite chagrined by the time the opera ended.

Elysse looked toward the house. At least Alexi was still out. She would lock her doors, drink a brandy, and cover her eyes with an eye patch. She might even use earplugs. She was exhausted and she meant to retire immediately.

Blair leaned past her, shoving open the carriage door. Elysse got out and he followed. Then he took her gloved hand in his.

She trembled, meeting his gaze. The evening had been a disaster. She had barely survived the knowing looks from her acquaintances, each and every one of whom had managed to bring up Alexi’s name when they had greeted her—gloating in her discomfort and, quite possibly, the exposure of six years of pretense and lies. Her attention had been on Alexi the entire time, not Blair—who deserved so much more.

Blair hadn’t even tried to make conversation during the hour-long ride to her house. Instead, he had seemed deep in thought.

“I realize you are tired,” Blair said as they walked up the stone steps to her front door. “Even though your husband is out, you won’t invite me in, will you?”

She looked at him. Why couldn’t she love him? He was powerful, strong and, most importantly, kind—unlike her damned husband. She felt like crying. “I am tired, Thomas. I’m sorry the evening was so unpleasant.”

“We both know that your tiredness isn’t the reason you won’t invite me inside.”

She couldn’t invite him in because her husband had returned to town. But Alexi was with someone else, so her reasoning didn’t even make sense, Elysse thought.

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