Adam's Promise Read Free

eyes the moment she caught them in her eager gaze. They were the bluest eyes she’d ever seen in her life. Unforgettable.
    Doris Ripley appeared beside her. “Is he here yet?”
    â€œI don’t see him,” Madeline said. “Perhaps he doesn’t know the schooner has arrived. I should send a message to him.”
    â€œI’ll find someone,” Mrs. Ripley quickly offered. She looked around, anxious to help.
    At that moment, a tall man walked into the courtyard. He wore a finely made black coat, the ruffles of a clean white shirt visible at his collar, and a black tricorn hat. He carried himself with a grace and confidence that made most heads in the yard turn and stare.
    Even from a distance, Madeline knew. It was Adam.
    Her blood rushed to her head, and her knees came dangerously close to buckling beneath her skirts.
    She grabbed blindly for Mrs. Ripley’s sleeve before the woman walked away. “He’s here!”
    Mrs. Ripley looked toward the fort’s entrance. “My word, Madeline” was all she said, in a breathy voice.
    Fighting the crippling sensation that had taken over her legs, Madeline watched him. Dear God, he was a magnificent man, even more handsome than she remembered, if that was possible. The years had been good to him. There was a confident manliness in him now. A maturity.
    Madeline quickly straightened her fichu, ran her hands over her tight, boned bodice and down her striped cotton skirt.
    Adam walked toward a man just inside the entrance, and spoke to him. The man pointed a powder horn toward Madeline and the other passengers from the Liberty, who were all standing in a crowd outside the barracks. The next moment, Adam was walking toward them, his long strides full of purpose, his gaze searching over everyone. There was anticipation in his eyes.
    Could it be he was as ardent in his yearning as she?
    Mrs. Ripley nudged Madeline a few times in the arm, and she heard someone behind her whisper with interest, “Is that Miss Oxley’s fellow? Goodness…”
    What was said after that, she had no idea. It was all Madeline could do to keep a calm, composed expression on her face and prepare herself to say hello.
    Adam stopped in front of Mrs. Ripley, removed his hat and slid it under his arm. His dark hair—lightened with a hint of gray here and there—was tied back with a ribbon. His eyes were still as blue as an autumn sky, framed with black brows and black lashes, and he wore a polite yet confident expression.
    Madeline’s heart warmed at the sight of him. Though she knew he was a stranger to her now, she felt as if she’d known him all her life, which, in a way, she had. The idea of him was a part of who she was, a part of her identity.
    He glanced once at Madeline—rather indifferently—then turned his attention back to Mrs. Ripley again. “Good afternoon, madam. I’m here to meet someone, and I wonder if you could tell me—”
    Before he had a chance to finish, Mrs. Ripley put her arm around Madeline’s waist, pushed her forwardand said with a warm smile, “Yes, Mr. Coates, she’s right here.”
    Adam’s gaze fell upon Madeline again, a little more attentively this time. For a long moment, he studied her face.
    Madeline felt suddenly self-conscious in front of all these onlookers.
    She cleared her throat to say How do you do, Mr. Coates, but before she had the chance, his dark brows drew together with a look of concern.
    â€œNo, it’s someone else I’m looking for. We’re to be married. Her name is Lady Thurston.”

Chapter Two
    M adeline felt the color drain from her face like a slow, painful torture. No one spoke. There was only the uncomfortable rustle of skirts behind her, the sound of a knife whittling somewhere off to the side, then a woman cleared her throat.
    â€œIs she here?” Adam finally asked, looking hopeful.
    Madeline’s whole body went numb.
    Mrs.