Promise Me by Dee Julian

sounded a second time followed by, “Annie, are you in there?”
    Leah halted, fear spreading to her extremities.
    “ It’s Nicolas,” Anne whispered.
    “ What is he doing here?”
    “ I have no idea.”
    “ Annie?” Chase called.
    “ Hurry, Leah, before he breaks down the door.”
    “ Me? What should I say?”
    “ That I’m asleep, of course.”
    The doorknob rattled.
    “ Just a moment!” Leah turned to her friend. “We cannot hide Edwin from the duke,” she whispered. “We’ve not choice now but tell him.”
    “ The child is ill. Nicolas might get the wrong impression.”
    “ About what?”
    “ About you.” Anne took Edwin and hurried away from the door. “Wait until the proper opportunity arises to explain things.”
    Leah gave in. She smoothed her hair and gown before opening the door and peering through the narrow crack.
    “ Oh, hello, Miss Sheridan,” the duke greeted.
    “ Good evening, your Grace.”
    “ I apologize for intruding so late, but I was concerned for my cousin.”
    She slipped into the hall and closed the door behind her. “Anne is resting, and I’d rather not disturb her.”
    “ Is she ill?”
    “ No, just exhausted. Is there a message you’d like to give her?”
    “ Not particularly. I merely thought to inquire about her health.”
    “ I see. You were so concerned you followed us to Cambridge Town?”
    Amusement surfaced in his eyes. “No, I had other business here as well. Are you certain Anne is well?”
    “ You asked me that question earlier.”
    “ Yes, I did. Forgive my unease, but when I spoke to the doctor--”
    “ The doctor?” A sickening dread crushed Leah.
    “ Yes, I met him briefly downstairs.”
    Did he mention Edwin? Surely he must have.
    Tell him! Now!
    “ Miss Sheridan, are you aware you’re not registered at this inn?”
    Leah sucked in a nervous breath. “Are we not?”
    “ No.”
    “ Oh. Well, I’ll straighten things out in the morning.”
    “ Had I known you were sharing a room with Anne, I would not have imposed. I do find it rather odd you’re watching over her.”
    Reluctantly, Leah moved aside. “Would you care to speak to her?”
    Goodness! What have I done?
    “ No, that won’t be necessary, and again I apologize for disturbing you.” He walked across the hall. After inserting a key into the door of room number seven, he turned and flashed her a warm smile.
    Heavens, even his teeth are perfect!
    “ Perhaps the three of us can breakfast together,” he suggested.
    She wet her dry lips. “Breakfast?”
    “ You do eat breakfast, do you not?” he teased.
    “ Yes, of course.” Leah reached for the doorknob jammed into the small of her back. “Goodnight, your Grace.”
    “ Pleasant dreams, Miss Sheridan.”
    She hurried inside. After sliding the bolt into place, she leaned her head against the door, relieved and spent.
    “ What did he want?” Anne whispered.
    Leah turned, her chest heaving as she attempted to draw precious air into her lungs. “To make sure you’re well.”
    “ How thoughtful. He’s satisfied then?”
    “ I think not.”
    “ What do you mean?”
    “ His Grace has secured a room across the hall.”
    “ Whatever for?”
    “ Breakfast.” Leah placed her hand over her pounding heart. “He thinks to dine with us come morning.”
    “ Oh, dear.”
    “ He’s worried about you, Anne.”
    “ Well he could not have chosen a more awkward time.”
    Leah took Edwin and placed him between two pillows on the bed. She tucked a blanket around his small body and stroked his fevered brow. “This sweet boy deserves a family.”
    “ Adrian had no right to ask what he did. It was selfish and inconsiderate, but too often his behavior was excused because he was the golden boy who amused everyone.”
    Leah walked to the window and pulled the curtain aside. The gaslights lit up a portion of the lonely street below. “The duke is no fool. Even if we manage to skip breakfast, he will likely insist on escorting us