Wicked Promise Read Free

didn't miss the tiny tremor that shook her hands. "I presume Sydney has told you about me."
    "I am not ignorant of whom you are, if that is what you are asking. I am aware you were convicted of Stephen Hampton's murder nine years ago. I know you were transported for the crime and that you've been returned to England less than two years."
    "And you still wish to stay beneath my roof? Surely you are afraid. Surely you would worry your life might be in danger."
    Her shoulders subtly squared. "I am in danger from Bas- comb. I believe he will force himself on me at the earliest opportunity in order to press me into marriage. I cannot fathom his reasons, since I make no secret of my disgust of him. But I will do anything to keep that from happening. Aside from that, Mr. Birdsall assures me I have nothing to fear from you."
    Sydney's voice rose from a few feet away. "As I said, Nicholas, I know your wicked reputation. I also know that behind that rakehell façade is a man of courage and honor, and that if you were to take this young woman into your care you would protect her with your very life."
    Nick said nothing. What Sydney said was true—if he took the girl in, there was no way in hell he would let her fall prey to an animal like Bascomb.
    He returned his gaze to Elizabeth Woolcot. "Your home in Surrey is next to the earl's. Is that not correct?"
    "Yes. That is why I know the sort of man he is. Lord Bascomb is a cheat and a liar. He takes what he wants without the slightest qualm. Even now our upstairs maid, Priscilla Tweed, is heavy with his child. The poor girl was a servant in his household. Bascomb forced himself on her then cast her out when he discovered she was increasing."
    Nick's jaw clamped shut. The story sounded all too familiar. But then Oliver and Stephen had both been cut from the same rotten cloth.
    He took another long look at the girl, caught the faintest trembling of her full bottom lip. His attention turned to his solicitor. "All right, Sydney, you win. For reasons even I am loath to explain, I will let the girl stay and see that she is kept safe—on one condition."
    "Which is?" Sydney asked with a hopeful glance at the girl.
    "She and her aunt will occupy the far west wing, and except for meals when guests are not present, or unless they are invited, they will remain there. I refuse to change the way I live for Miss Woolcot or anyone else. If she can live with those arrangements—"
    "I can," she broke in, her eyes suddenly bright with relief. "I mean... thank you, my lord, those conditions would be quite agreeable to my aunt and to me."
    He almost smiled. "Good. Then perhaps this will all work out."
    "Yes," Sydney said, smiling for the first time since his arrival. "We shall make certain it does." He clapped Nick on the shoulder. "I knew I could count on you, my boy. Thank you, Nicholas. I can rest easy now, knowing dear Elizabeth is safe in your care."
    Nick made no comment. The girl was his ward and she would be safe at Ravenworth. He had given his word and he meant to keep it.
    Turning, he walked away, determined to forget those big leaf-green eyes and the dark burnished sheen of Elizabeth Woolcot's hair.

    Aunt Sophie arrived at Ravenworth Hall three days later. The earl had sent his plush traveling carriage to Elizabeth's home, and her plump, gray-haired aunt, Mrs. Sophia Crabbe, appeared on the front porch steps of the hall looking none the worse for the two-day journey from West Clandon, a small village three miles east of Guildford.
    Hurrying in her direction, Elizabeth hugged the little woman just entering her sixty-fifth year, her mother's older sister, Elizabeth's closest living relative.
    Aunt Sophie appraised her from top to bottom, then nodded, apparently satisfied with whatever it was she saw. "Well, child, apparently you've survived your first few days without a mishap." The butler accepted Aunt Sophie's woolen cloak while the heavyset woman turned to survey the entry. "All right, where is