Free Yesterday's Promise by Linda Lee Chaikin Page A

with his warriors. Anyway, I’ll be going to Kimberly soon myself with Julien. Talk to Peter if you will, but he won’t make a move unless Julien gives him permission.” She snatched her red feather fan from the carriage seat where Rogan had placed it and swished it nervously.
    â€œWhen you agreed to marry Peter, you promised to stand with him wherever he went,” Rogan said gently. “You knew of Julien’s plans to send him to the new colony. We discussed all that in London on more than one occasion. Remember?”
    â€œOf course I remember, and I remember how I loathed the idea the first time I heard it. What choice did I really have?”
    â€œPractically none,” he agreed and looked angry but restrained. “I talked to Father about it. I wish he had listened. You could have fought harder for Charles. I was surprised when you didn’t.”
    She looked at him startled. “Fought harder for Charles Bancroft? I did, for days. Don’t you remember? It was Charles who didn’t fight for me!”
    â€œYes, perhaps because his father was rather against the marriage.”
    â€œWell! I…I didn’t know that.” She fumed, feeling hurt and disappointed. She had always thought Lord Bancroft approved of her.
    â€œI thought you would surely go to Aunt Elosia and appeal to her,” Rogan said. “She would have backed you up. I’m not saying Julien would have given up his plans to have you and Peter marry, but the four of us together might have at least delayed things.”
    The
four
of us. That meant Rogan would have fought for her too. The idea both depressed and encouraged her. If Rogan had been willing to stand for her back then, why not now? Rogan was strong, whereas shewas afraid. And dear Peter couldn’t see further ahead than his duty and honor to the British Empire.
    â€œWell,” he said quietly, putting an arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze, “that’s all behind us. We must move on. Come, Arcilla, it’s not as bad as all that, is it? I mean, you
do
like Peter, don’t you?”
    She looked at him and saw that he was quite grave, and suddenly she laughed. “I had better, don’t you think?” She waved her wedding ring, and the large diamond and gold shimmered.
    Rogan covered her hand with his and said soberly, “Remember that next time when some soppy-eyed dandy asks you to step out into the garden.”
    She dropped her gaze. “It won’t happen again… I promise. But you’ve got to make Peter understand if Julien tells him about the garden incident.”
    Rogan’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Julien will say nothing. He could lose Peter if he did.”
    She looked at him hopefully. “Do you think so?”
    â€œI’m fairly sure.”
    â€œWell, I’m not as certain.”
    â€œI don’t think Julien will tell him. He was trying to bully you. It’s his way to threaten to get what he wants. But this time I agree with Julien, not in bullying, of course, but I, too, want you with Peter, sister dear.”
    â€œI hope you’re right…about not telling Peter. That trek north through savage country, wild animals, and horrid weather is going to be awful… Oh, I detest the very thought. Yet, I think you’re right.” She looked at him again. “If you were with Peter helping him at the new colony, I would feel so much better about everything. Including Peter. He needs you, Rogan. So do I.”
    She could see her words brought him concern, and she knew she was unfair in taking advantage of his brotherly loyalty, but what else could she do?
    â€œPlease, Rogan!”
    â€œI’ll consider,” he said flatly, “but I won’t promise you, Arcilla.”
    She was far from satisfied, yet knew she could go no further with him for the time being. Still, there had to be a way if she thought about it long