The Promise

The memory almost made Alexi smile. Within days, they had become friends. However, his smile failed him now. Last night, Elysse had been even more stunning than he recalled. Was it possible that he’d forgotten just how beautiful she was? He’d certainly forgotten how petite she was. When he’d rushed to her side as she’d tripped on the stairs, taking a firm hold of her, he’d been stunned at how tiny and feminine she had felt in his arms.

Of course, he wasn’t the only man to have noticed her striking looks. Ogilvy was smitten—and if he didn’t miss his guess, she had ensnared his pilot, too.

His heart turned over hard. She was damned beautiful—and she knew it. She’d known it since she was a little girl. She’d been a reckless flirt then and she was a reckless flirt now. He’d watched her casual flirtations for years. They’d always amused him. He hadn’t ever really understood how her suitors allowed themselves to be so easily played, as if led around by her on a very short leash.

Had she really thought to flirt with him? Had she thought to put him on her leash? If she batted those lashes at him another time he might call her bluff and kiss her senselessly. She’d be shocked, wouldn’t she?

Except he knew he was deluding himself. He would never treat her that way. He had been acutely aware of her from the moment they had met as children, and that had never changed. There had always been that special bond between them. Others might think her filled with airs, but he knew the truth—that a heart of gold beat within her chest. He also knew how kind she was—no one was as loyal—and she was exceptionally loyal to him. She couldn’t help the fact that her parents spoiled her terribly, or that she had been blessed with so much privilege and such exceptional looks. None of that really mattered. What mattered was how well she understood him; sometimes, he felt that she knew his thoughts, when he wasn’t even speaking. And how often had he known her thoughts—and secrets—without her having to verbalize them?

But that strong bond had been complicated for him from the start. There had always been a vague stirring of attraction for him, from that first moment when they had met as children. As a boy, he’d always assumed that one day, far in the future, when he was a grown man, she was the woman he would take as his wife. There had never been any ifs, ands or buts about it.

But at fifteen, he’d discovered women. Actually, he’d discovered sex. And any such beliefs or assumptions about Elysse had been buried deep.

Well, he had returned home now. He wasn’t a naive eight-year-old boy or a randy sixteen-year-old. He was twenty-one and a very successful merchant sea captain. He was also a bachelor—and he liked it that way. He was not interested in marriage, not any time soon. But that vague stirring of attraction wasn’t vague any longer. It was a heated pounding in his loins. The desire was unmistakable, and no longer easy to ignore. It was powerful and disturbing.

The sooner he left Ireland, the better, he thought firmly. Then he could decide how to manage his feelings for her by the next time he came home.

“Your countryside is beautiful, Mrs. de Warenne.”

Alexi came out of his brooding instantly.

“I am so glad you think so,” Amanda, his stepmother, replied, smiling at William Montgomery from across the dining-room table.

“I thought I would only want to spend a day or two here in the countryside, but I was wrong,” Montgomery said with his thick Southern accent, sipping from a cup of China tea. “I should enjoy riding across the Irish moors many times.”

They were seated at the table with Amanda and Cliff. His sisters remained upstairs. His father was engrossed in the London Times and Alexi had been trying to read the Dublin newspapers, which were a treat, as they were impossible to come by outside of Britain. He especially liked the social columns—he missed the gossip about what everyone was up to—but this morning, he hadn’t been able to concentrate on a single word. Now, he stared at his pilot. Montgomery had saved his life in Lower Canada. He’d risked his own life to do so. They were friends, but he happened to know that the pilot was ruthless when it came to his pursuit of beautiful women.

Montgomery would never try to seduce Elysse, surely. He was, after all, Alexi’s pilot and a guest in his home. Their flirtation last night had been a casual, insignificant one. Yet why would he wish to linger in the countryside? “You’ll be bored by this evening,” Alexi said flatly, suddenly hoping he was right. “I am actually thinking of cutting my stay short.”

Cliff laid down his newspaper, his blue gaze searching. “Why would you do that?”

“I want to get to London and start working on the plans for my new ship,” he said. In London, he and Montgomery could carouse to their heart’s desire.

Amanda smiled at the pilot. “I am so glad you are enjoying Ireland. I remember the first time I came here. I was so swept away by every single thing—the old homes, the green hills, the mist, the people! This is your first time here, is it not?”

“Yes, it is, and I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality. Your home is so lovely, Mrs. de Warenne.” Now, he looked at Alexi, smiling ever so slightly. “I enjoyed meeting the O’Neill family very much last night.”

Alexi tossed the Dublin Times aside, sitting up straighter. He hadn’t lied when he’d told Elysse that the American was a terrible ladies’ man. They had spent ten days in Batavia, drinking, gaming and whoring, while waiting for a shift in the winds before running up the China Sea to Canton. Montgomery was a good-looking man with too much Southern charm and women flocked to him like ducks to water. His gallantry got him into the finer homes in the ports they put into, and he had seduced his share of married women—but he hadn’t ever ruined an innocent daughter, not that Alexi knew of. Up until then, Alexi had considered him a true kindred spirit. Surely he did not wish to linger in Ireland in order to pursue Elysse. Or had she so thoroughly worked her wiles on him, already? When a man wanted a woman, it was often so hard to think clearly!

Cliff surprised them all by saying, “Elysse O’Neill is a very lovely woman.”

“I don’t believe I have ever met a woman as beautiful,” Montgomery said shortly. “Or as charming.”

He was stunned. Was Montgomery being polite—or was he smitten? He sounded very intense. “Be careful, my friend, or she will soon lead you about on her little leash as she does all of her proper suitors.”

“Alexi!” Amanda gasped in disapproval. “That was terribly rude!”

Alexi fingered the saucer of his teacup. “Well, I am just worried about my friend. He hardly needs to have his heart broken. Elysse doesn’t mean to hurt anyone,” he added, knowing that was the truth. “But she is a skilled coquette. I have seen her gather admirers ever since she was twelve or thirteen. She is adept at it. And frankly, she is even more of an impossible flirt today than she was when I left.”

Cliff shook his head. “This conversation is highly impolitic, Alexi.”

“There is no harm in flirting,” Amanda said to him, as reproof.

Montgomery added, “At home, a lady who doesn’t flirt would be considered odd. Flirting is rather an art in Maryland.”

Alexi folded his arms across his chest and refrained from scowling. He wasn’t sure what had possessed him to speak so disparagingly of Elysse, whom he cared for, in front of his friend, who was still an outsider to the family. “I just think you should keep your distance, William. Her charms can be fatal.”

Montgomery smiled slowly. “Are you speaking from experience?”

He tensed. “I have never had a broken heart—nor do I intend to ever have one.”

“You know that ladies are few and far between on our runs. Last night was very enjoyable—I look forward to the company of all the ladies here again.” The pilot picked up his cup and sipped.

But his intentions were clear. He meant to see Elysse again. Alexi stared thoughtfully at him. He truly didn’t care if Montgomery and Elysse flirted once or twice, as long as Montgomery remained respectful. There was really no reason for him to believe that he would ever behave in any other manner—they weren’t in Lisbon, Malta or Singapore now—but he continued to feel disturbed. He was sensing that Montgomery was simply too interested in Elysse for his own good—or her own good. When it came to Elysse, he simply didn’t trust his pilot, as he had told her last night. “You know, Dublin is a very entertaining city. We should spend a few days there before we return to London.”

Montgomery didn’t respond.

“Please don’t rush off so soon,” Amanda said, rising from her chair. She came to stand beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder. “We have all missed you so.”

Alexi knew he could not disappoint his family. He smiled at his stepmother. “I promise not to leave in any haste.”

“Good.” She kissed his cheek and excused herself.

“May I ask a question?” Montgomery said.

Alexi looked at him as his father returned to the London Times.

“Why isn’t Elysse married?”

He almost choked. Before he could answer, Cliff rattled his paper and said, “Her father means to find her a love match. Devlin has said so often enough.”

Montgomery sat up straighter. “Surely he means to find her a titled gentleman with deep pockets.”

“I’m sure he wishes for Elysse to have every privilege, but most importantly, he wishes for her to have genuine affection in her marriage,” Cliff said. He laid his paper down. “I’m afraid I have some tenants to see today. Alexi, do you wish to join me?”

Montgomery was obviously surprised by Cliff’s answer, and his mind was clearly racing. Alexi was disbelieving. Surely his pilot did not think to marry up? He couldn’t help thinking about the boy he’d once been—the boy who had secretly assumed that one day he’d grow up and marry Elysse O’Neill. “I have other plans, Father.”

Marriage was the last thing on his mind just then. All he wanted to do was escape his confusion and desire. He couldn’t wait to run back to China, pick up another Pekoe cargo, and then race the clock—and his rivals—for Great Britain.

But he couldn’t let this go.

Cliff left the dining room. Montgomery said soberly, “A great lady like Elysse O’Neill deserves all that life has to offer.” He took up his teacup abruptly.

Alexi stared. Was the American suddenly considering the possibility that Elysse might truly like him? That he might seduce her into falling in love? Elysse admired Montgomery. He was masculine and attractive; all women liked him. Men like Montgomery married up all the time. And Montgomery was an opportunist. Devlin might even embrace the American as a fellow seafarer and set him up in his own shipping line. He was suddenly certain that, while Montgomery was intrigued with Elysse, he was now just as intrigued with the idea of marrying into the great O’Neill fortune.

The stakes had entirely changed.

He pushed his plate away. Elysse couldn’t go to a dinner party, a dance or a ball without drawing every male in the room to her side and ensnaring them with her laughter, her looks and her charm. She had a way of hanging on to a man’s every word, making him feel ten feet tall and impossibly masculine, impossibly virile. He’d seen her do it a hundred times—no, even more. She’d been mesmerizing the male gender since she was a child of seven! But attracting Montgomery was a terrible idea—he had said so to her. Now, it had even worse ramifications.

Alexi crossed his arms. “You seem deep in thought, William.”

Montgomery glanced up. “I was trying to decide how to spend the morning.”

“Let’s ride.”

“That’s fine, as long as I am back by one.”

Alexi sent him a questioning look. “And what happens at that bewitching hour?”

“I am driving in the countryside today with the loveliest lady I have ever met.”

So they had made plans to meet again last night? Of course they had, because Elysse had ignored his warnings.

“Are you bothered with that?” Montgomery asked, his gaze riveted on Alexi.

“It’s going to rain today.” As a seaman, he could smell the impending rain. He damn well knew Montgomery could, too.

The American leaned across the table. “A bit of drizzle won’t stop me from enjoying Miss O’Neill’s company. Only a fool would postpone our afternoon. I asked you if you are bothered, Alexi.”

Our afternoon. “Actually, I am.”

Montgomery’s eyes gleamed. “I thought so. So, you are interested in Miss O’Neill?”

He didn’t move a muscle. “No. But I am very close to her and her family, Montgomery. We are friends, so I will be direct. She is a lady. One I will always protect.”

Montgomery wet his lips. “You don’t have to protect her from me.”

He laughed harshly. “What are you after, Montgomery? Since when do you play the gentleman and escort ladies about? I know what you want from a woman—we’ve ca-roused together far too many times. Elysse O’Neill is a lady—an innocent. She is not for you.”

“I know very well that she is not some dockside whore. I enjoy her company. I mean no disrespect.” His stare hardened. “And she enjoys my company.”

He sat up straighter, certain Montgomery was calculating his chances of far more than seduction. What would he do if Elysse decided that she wished to marry the pilot? Could she be so foolish as to fall for him? “She flirts with everyone. You are taking her too seriously.”

“I think you are jealous.”

He was startled. “I have known her since we were children, Montgomery. I know her as well as I know my own sisters. Why would I be jealous of her shallow flirtations? I have watched her suitors come and go for years. I am merely concerned, as her friend and her protector.”

“You would be jealous because she is too beautiful for words,” he said, standing abruptly. “Any man with a drop of red blood in his veins would dream of receiving her smile and being allowed into her arms. I know you, too. You have dreamed of her just like all the rest of us.”

Alexi stood, as well, his heart slamming. “I am trying to warn you that she is toying with your affections. I have seen her toy with men for most of my life.”

“And I am trying to tell you that I don’t mind. But if you must know, I believe she has a genuine interest in me.” He added, “She likes me, Alexi. She is attracted to me. I have been around enough women to know when a woman is truly interested. Perhaps you will have to simply accept that.”

He said harshly, “You are being played. And if you think she will consider a suit from you, you are wrong.”

Montgomery smiled at him. “We are going for a carriage ride, Alexi. It is an afternoon’s outing. I don’t recall suggesting I might get down on bended knee.”

Was he reading too much into what was merely an innocent flirtation? “Fine. Then enjoy your carriage ride.” He added, perhaps unnecessarily, “But remember, she is a lady and my friend.”

“How could I ever forget?”

“When she smiles at you as if you are the only man in the world, and you are alone, you might very well forget everything except what is pounding beneath your belt.”

Their gazes remained locked. “I would never seduce her,” he finally said. Alexi stared closely, but his expression was bland. “Do you realize that we are fighting?”

“We aren’t fighting—we are friends,” Alexi said tersely. But his words felt hollow and false. Montgomery felt like a dangerous adversary. The bottom line remained that he didn’t trust the American with Elysse. And he was angry with her for ever flirting with his pilot in the first place. “In fact, we are more than friends—I owe you my life. If not for you, my scalp would be hanging outside some Huron’s hut right now, in the Canadian territory.” He tried to focus on that fact. It was impossible. He pictured Elysse in Montgomery’s arms, their embrace passionate. God, he didn’t even know if she had ever been kissed!

“And you saved my life in Jamaica, during the revolts,” Montgomery returned.

“We might not have gotten up the China Sea in one piece without your mastery,” Alexi said.

“So why are we arguing? Let’s swear that we will not fight over a woman, even one as beautiful as Miss O’Neill.” Montgomery held out his hand.

Alexi hesitated, his mind racing. An image of Elysse, impossibly beautiful in pale green, was engraved on his mind. He saw her laughing with the pilot—he saw her gazing deeply into his own eyes. He shook himself free of her spell and accepted Montgomery’s handshake. “I wouldn’t think of fighting with you.”

“Good.” Montgomery grinned. Alexi smiled back, but it was an effort to curl his mouth upward.

Montgomery left the breakfast room. They were at odds for the first time in two years. But worse, he no longer trusted the man who had saved his life. And it was entirely Elysse O’Neill’s fault.

ELYSSE KNEW THAT STANDING by the window in the front hall, so she could have a view of the drive and who was coming up it, was childish. And she wasn’t standing there because William Montgomery was calling on her this afternoon. Last night, she had overheard Alexi asking her father if they could have a private moment so he could ask him for advice. Devlin had suggested he come by at any time after lunch.

They hadn’t spoken again last night after he had warned her to stay away from his pilot. There hadn’t really been a chance, not with the house so filled with callers. Elysse had almost refused Montgomery when he had asked her if she’d drive with him the next day, but then, impulsively, she had decided that she was a grown woman. It hardly hurt to have another admirer on her arm, especially when that admirer seemed to annoy Alexi. While she trusted Alexi, he had no right to tell her who she could see. And a drive in the country was harmless, anyway.

Still, she was looking forward to having a moment or two with him now. She still had a hundred questions about his voyage, and she wished to know what had happened in Lower Canada. The more she thought about it, the more she was grateful that Montgomery had been there to save his life. If the adventure wasn’t fit for a lady’s ears, it must be ghastly, indeed. She couldn’t imagine what she would do if anything had happened to him!

A movement behind her startled her. Elysse turned to find her tiny, dark-haired mother entering the hall. Virginia smiled at her. “Why don’t you wait for him in the library? Those new shoes look terribly uncomfortable.”

Elysse glanced down at her new, cream-colored patent-leather booties. The heel was fashionably high and her toes already hurt. But the shoes matched her ensemble perfectly. “It’s really too early for Mr. Montgomery to arrive. Maybe I will wait for him in the library.” As she spoke, she felt herself flush.

Virginia touched her arm, her purple gaze searching. “Elysse, I am your mother. We both know that the pilot is a nice enough man and that you couldn’t care less about him.”

“I hardly know him, Mother, but I am looking forward to getting to know him better. He has so many stories to tell!”

“Really? I noticed that Alexi has a great many tales of his adventures at sea, and that he has grown into a fine, capable man. Not only does he remind me of Cliff, he reminds me of your own father,” Virginia said. “He is responsible and intelligent and industrious. I’ve been hoping that the two of you will have a chance to genuinely renew your friendship.”

Elysse felt her heart race. “Only you, Mother, would speak openly about how hard he labors, even if at sea.” Most of the ladies and gentlemen she knew disdained any kind of labor for profit, never mind that they needed vast incomes to live well. But her mother was an American and she was very fond of pursuing profit. Elysse didn’t mind. She just knew they should not speak openly of it. She smiled. “He has certainly had a successful voyage, hasn’t he?”

“He is a very fine young man! And I know you think so, too. Has it ever occurred to you to tell him that you have missed him? I am sure he would be pleased to hear it.”

She was aghast. What was her mother thinking? She would never tell Alexi such a thing! “He would think me one of his love-struck hussies—exactly like that Louisa Cochrane. Worse, he would laugh at me!”

“Why not ask him if he wishes to drive in the country?” she said, smiling. “No one would ever think you a hussy, dear.”

“I would never do such a thing! Mother! A lady does not throw herself at a gentleman!”

“Louisa Cochrane doesn’t seem to mind making her interest known, dear, and she is not a hussy—she is our neighbor and a lady.”

Elysse’s eyes widened as her mother walked away, a smug look on her pretty face. She didn’t know why she had ever liked Louisa. Last night, Jack had gone on and on about how attractive she was, and that if he was a marrying man—which he was not—he might take her on, himself.

Virginia had noticed that Louisa was pursuing Alexi and had thought enough of it to mention it to Elysse. What did she expect her to do about it? Alexi’s sordid affairs were not her concern. Alexi was a dyed-in-the-wool bachelor who tired of his affairs very, very quickly. Their affair should hardly cause her stomach to hurt.

Her heart thudded, far too hard for comfort. When had her relationship with Alexi become so complicated and confusing? He was an old and dear friend, that was all. But last night it had taken her hours to fall asleep. She’d kept thinking about Alexi and his tea, Alexi and Louisa, and the way he had looked at her, as if he meant to kiss her.

She had probably imagined that.

She heard the hacks outside before she saw them, their hoofbeats distinct upon the graveled drive. Elysse ran to the window and saw Alexi and his pilot astride two of his father’s magnificent Thoroughbreds. Montgomery was early—and she was a bit disappointed.

The men were dismounting. Alexi carried a large parcel, wrapped in brown paper. Almost certain it was her gift, Elysse turned and hurried into the library, seating herself on the sofa and carefully arranging her skirts. Her color felt high. She touched her hair, which was curled and coiffed. Every strand felt as if it was in place.

Alexi sauntered into the library alone, clearly at home and not needing a servant to usher him in. He set the parcel on a chair. “Hello, Elysse,” he said softly. “What’s wrong? Couldn’t you sleep last night?”

She stood, flushing. He couldn’t know what thoughts had kept her up last night. She eyed the parcel but restrained herself. “Hello, Alexi. Did you sleep well?” she asked sweetly.

“I slept very well,” he drawled, as if amused.

She tore her gaze from the package. “Where is Mr. Montgomery?”

“He is chatting with your father, Elysse.” He came closer. “Let me guess.” His tone was a murmur now. “You were up all night, dreaming about your outing with Montgomery.”

She trembled. Why was he using that seductive tone on her? “And if I was?” she challenged, wetting her lips. “It is hardly your concern. Besides, you look ragged today, too. You did not sleep well, either.”

“Oh, I didn’t say you looked ragged. You are lovely as always, and you know it. So let me guess again. You couldn’t sleep because you were thinking…of me?” He laughed out loud.

If she’d held a purse, she would have thrown it at his broad chest. “My mother thinks you have turned into a fine, upstanding man of character. I beg to differ. You are rude and unbearable, more so than ever.”

If anything, his expression grew more pleased. “You are so easy to bait, sweetheart,” he said. Then he turned and picked up the parcel, very casually. “Don’t you want to know what’s inside, Elysse?”

She tried to keep her eagerness from her face. “Is it for me?”

He smiled slowly at her. “Yes, it is.” He handed her the paper-wrapped gift.

Her heart leaped and she felt like a child, wanting to tear the wrapper apart. Somehow, she restrained herself, slowly untying the ribbon. Her fingers suddenly felt clumsy as she tried to open it.

He came up from behind her, reaching past her, enveloping her with his body’s heat. “Here.” His breath feathered her nape and she went still. “Let me help you.”