Free Promise Me by Dee Julian Page B

of England, and I would never put the Chase Family through such an embarrassment.”
    “ If the duke doesn’t already know about the boy, he will soon enough.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “Is that a thinly veiled threat?”
    “ No. Just a friendly warning.”
    “ Friendly?” Frustrated and overanxious to be rid of this annoyance, Leah could no longer control her temper. “Go ahead, Mister O’Connell. Tell the duke whatever you like. It no longer matters to me. In fact, you may wake him this very instant.” She glared at the man. “I believe you already know the room number.”

Chapter Six
     
    The heaviness inside her chest, the horrible fear that rarely changed except to intensify, signaled the beginning of the nightmare. It wormed its way into her subconscious like a snake slithering through tall grass.
    She urged her horse faster, mud flying from its hoofs.
    Behind her, Adrian shouted.
    Leah didn’t intend to stop. She had nothing more to say nor did she wish to listen to his excuses. He was someone she no longer knew or trusted.
    Rain stung her face, but she pressed on through the raging storm. She could sense his huge chestnut gaining on her mare.
    “ Leah!”
    Suddenly everything grew strangely quiet, and the storm settled into the background. Terror gripped her insides. She wanted desperately not to relive what came next, but she didn’t know how to prevent it.
    Lightning struck the ground, splitting a tall oak. She yanked back on the reins, narrowly avoiding disaster. Another flash of light followed by an earthshaking boom. She glanced back. Adrian’s chestnut reared, pawing the air frantically. He slid from the saddle and fell backward at an awkward angle.
    And then, as if by magic, Leah knelt beside him, dampness and mud soaking into her clothes as she cradled his head in her lap.
    He gasped for breath, a horrible sound. “Forgive me…my love. I never meant...to hurt you.”
    She shielded his face from the rain, tears of remorse stinging her eyes.
    “ I was...a fool.”
    “ Lie still, Adrian. I’ll go for help.”
    “ No. Don’t leave.”
    “ I must.”
    “ Too late.” His gaze faltered. “I regret...cannot change what I did. Swear to me.” He struggled to maintain awareness. “Swear…Grandmother Margaret will never know...about the child.”
    “ Adrian--.”
    “ Promise me.”
    She placed her cheek against his brow, her heart breaking. “I promise.”
    “ I love you, Leah,” he whispered close to her ear. “Remember that...and me.”
    His breathing stilled.
    She raised her head.
    Death had fixed his eyes with a blank stare.
    Leah awoke with a start. The carriage lantern had been turned low, leaving the interior in soft light.
    Anne smiled from the seat across from her. “Did you have a nice nap?”
    “ Not particularly.” She moved her stiff neck from side to side. “How long did I sleep?”
    “ Almost an hour. We’re not far from home now.”
    “ Eee ah.” Edwin squirmed from Anne’s lap.
    “ Hello, my love.” She pulled him into her arms. “Are you feeling better?”
    “ I should say so,” Anne declared. “He’s munched on a stale biscuit, tried to throw his blanket out the carriage window, wet his clothes, hence the smell, and oh, yes...I gave him a small bite of chocolate truffle.”
    “ Edwin, did you thank Lady Ashburn?”
    “ He doesn’t speak much, but he did kiss my hand.”
    “ What a gentleman you are. Anne, I didn’t mean to nod off and leave him in your care.”
    “ I didn’t mind. My condition warrants no special attention, for the evenings are rather kind to me. It’s the mornings I can do without.”
    Leah glanced out the carriage window. “It’s close to morning now.”
    “ It’s still several hours before dawn, and I hope to be in my own comfortable bed by then.” Anne rearranged the pillows behind her back. “My dear, you were mumbling earlier. Was it a nightmare?”
    Before she could reply, Edwin placed his small hands on both sides of