A Promise Beneath the Kissing Bough

by Tabetha Waite

  Not for the first time, she thought of what Mr. Reed had told her earlier that week. She’d mulled it over every day since and couldn’t help but wonder what he would think to walk into a house that might have been his, other than an accident of birth. As it was, he would always be denied the life of an aristocrat, although he didn’t appear to harbor any ill will, and at least he was allowing his brother a chance to make amends for their father’s behavior.

  Either way, she would be with him to help ease the sting of what might have been. And before she could pretend to be Cinderella, she would need to help her stepmother with the mending.

  ***

  Bright and early the next morning, two packages from Madame Caron were delivered by messenger. Both her stepmother and her siblings gathered anxiously around Pleasant as she untied the string of the first and lifted the lid off of the box. Inside were several pristine, white undergarments, including a new pair of stays, a chemise, and a petticoat, along with a pair of gossamer thin silk stockings with gold thread and little red bows at the top.

  While her brothers scrunched up their noses, Pleasant touched the delicate material with tears in her eyes. She had never even washed something so fine, not to mention actually claiming it for her own.

  But as her mother and Fiona urged her to open the other package, she reluctantly set aside the intimate items and unwrapped the second box. She instantly gasped when a lovely, emerald green satin was revealed.

  Pleasant slowly lifted the elegant gown and held it up to her form. With ruched, cap sleeves and a gold ribbon about the empire waist, it was lovely in its simplicity. “I’m sure I couldn’t have made its equal,” Aine whispered as she admired the handiwork. “You’re lucky to have a custom Madame Caron creation.”

  “There’s more!” Fiona squealed in delight, as she held up a green velvet pelisse with a fur-lined hood and a silver clasp, along with a pair of lined, white kid-leather gloves.

  At this, her stepmother looked at her with a pair of raised brows. “It seems Mr. Reed has indeed, fitted you out in high fashion.”

  Pleasant could only agree, but what would be the price for his generosity?

  After the morning’s excitement, the day passed infinitely slow, as each tick of the clock caused Pleasant to groan.

  Finally, the hour grew near, and Pleasant sighed as she donned the soft, new garments. It would be rather easy to grow used to such delights, but she reminded herself that it was only for one night.

  However, of that one night, she intended to enjoy every minute.

  Without anything else at her disposal, Pleasant slipped on her nicest pair of boots, the black leather scuffed and worn, which paled in comparison to her gown, but thankfully, the dress reached the floor. She would just have to be careful how high she lifted the hem.

  After Aine helped her put the finishing touches on her simple chignon, she reached into her pocket and handed Pleasant a pair of simple pearl earrings. “These were my mother’s. I fear they are only paste, but it’s all I have to offer you.”

  Pleasant was moved by the token of affection, and she reached out to hug her stepmother. “They are beautiful. I will wear them with pride. Thank you.”

  “The carriage is here!” Connor called from downstairs.

  Instantly, Pleasant’s stomach began to flutter with nerves, but she lifted her chin and walked downstairs.

  Mr. Reed was standing by the door and talking to Niall, and for a moment, her footsteps faltered. He was in profile to her, but the elegance of his own attire was unmistakable. She was used to seeing him in trousers, boots, and an apron over a simple, cambric shirt, with the sleeves rolled up slightly. It was just enough to tease her senses with the sight of his muscular forearms.

  But tonight…

  He looked every inch the gentleman, garbed in black and white formal attire with a starched collar and a gold cravat tied about his throat. The shoes on his feet were polished to a high shine and as he turned to her, even his eyes seemed to sparkle with a hint of that arrogant blue blood that ran through his veins.

  However, his expression quickly changed to something… darker as he took in her appearance. The desire she read there caused her knees to weaken, for she wanted to answer the call.

  In an attempt to lighten the moment, she held out her arms. “Do I pass inspection?”

  His lips curved upward, and he pretended to ponder her query. He held up a finger. “It’s only missing one thing.”

  With that, he pulled forth a package and handed it to her.

  Her brows drawing together in a frown, she took the box and lifted the lid to reveal…

  The gold shoes.

  She instantly looked up at him. “You can’t mean for me to wear these, surely?”

  “Why not?” He shrugged. “They’re yours.”

  She was suddenly at a loss for words. She couldn’t do anything but stare at the creation that she had made, believing them to be for someone else, when all along he’d intended to give them to her.

  “Do I need to put them on your feet?” he teased, although when she glanced up at him, his green eyes were smoky.

  Pleasant moved to a nearby chair, still stunned by the gesture, and removed her boots. When she slipped the gold shoes on her feet, she couldn’t help but admire the way the light from the tallow candles reflected the design.

  “Shall we go, my lady?”

  Pleasant stood and, after donning her new pelisse, she threaded her arm through Mr. Reed’s, and they strode out into the cold, December night.

  ***

  The carriage was just as elegant and well sprung as Pleasant remembered. But it was the tension surrounding her and Mr. Reed that she noticed above all the finery. It practically pulsed in the air between them. It was if they had been two different people working together over the past fortnight, whereas this evening, in all their elegant clothing, they could live out the fantasy as the duke’s daughter and the unrepentant rogue.

  Monday they could return to being Mr. Reed and Miss Hill, but tonight they were simply — Pleasant and Cornell.

  They moved toward each other at the same time.

  He placed one hand behind her neck, while the other one clasped her waist, as his mouth hungrily crashed down on hers. He paused only long enough to trail his lips to her ear. “God, I wanted you the moment I set eyes on you in that dress,” he whispered huskily.

  A shiver of longing traveled through her body when she remembered his dark, towering figure. “I want you too,” she murmured.

  He growled deep in his throat and returned his lips to hers. She placed her hands over his steadily beating heart, while an answering ache of need pulsed in her core.

  They both moaned in frustration when the carriage came to a stop. Before the coachman could open the door, Cornell grasped her chin and looked into her eyes. “Come home with me.”

  The breath left her lungs in a rush. “Yes.” As if there was any other answer she could give. This man had captured her the moment she’d walked into his shop. She’d never wanted to give herself to anyone else, and while it might be wrong, she would give everything to him.

  The door opened, and Cornell stepped down to the ground. Pleasant patted her hair to make sure the pins were all in place, and then she accepted his hand.

  She looked up at the formidable townhouse and saw that indeed, her suspicions had been correct, except for one thing.

  It was even more luxurious than she could have imagined.

  Everything from the large columns and a brilliant, whitewashed exterior to the moment they were shown inside the gleaming foyer, and then led to the richly furnished parlor was the height of supreme elegance.

  Pleasant’s fingers instantly gripped Cornell’s jacket a bit tighter. How am I going to make it through this evening? She didn’t know her dinner fork from her dessert fork. She would surely embarrass her escort—

  He bent down to her ear. “You’ll do no such thing,” he murmured. Of course, that only made her horrifi
ed to learn that she’d actually spoken aloud. “Just smile and follow my lead.”

  Pleasant swallowed as the earl greeted them with a polite bow. Again, she was struck by how much he favored the man at her side with his dark hair and expressive, green eyes. “Cornell. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation.” Lord Haverton turned to her, and she dipped into a slight curtsy. “And Miss Hill. A pleasure to see you again.”

  “My lord.” He was so polite that the smile she offered in return was relatively easy. To imagine that he would accept two commoners into his home, even if one of them was his illegitimate half-brother, and welcome them as graciously as he might the king was rather humbling.

  He held out a hand. “May I present my wife, Althea?”

  Pleasant stiffened slightly as the lady strode forward, or rather glided, as it seemed her feet didn’t even touch the floor she was so elegantly mannered. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head in a multitude of curls that must have taken her ladies’ maid an hour to perfect, and the diamond earbobs and necklace she wore were undoubtedly of the finest quality, as was the silver and white gown she wore. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Reed. It’s nice to finally make your acquaintance.”

  “That’s kind of you, Lady Haverton.”

  The sound of small, but quick footsteps sounded outside the door, and Pleasant turned to see two small dark-haired children being led into the parlor by what could only be their nurse.

  The earl walked forward and placed his hand on each of his children’s shoulders. “This is Louisa, our eldest. She’s seven. And this rapscallion—” He ruffled his son’s hair. “—is Frederick. He’s four.” He glanced at her companion. “Say hallo to your uncle, Mr. Cornell Reed.”

  Louisa curtsied, while Frederick did his best attempt at a bow. She stepped forward. “It’s nice to meet you, Uncle Cornell.”

  “Likewise,” he returned with a touch of humor in his deep voice.

  It wasn’t until Louisa turned to Pleasant with a direct expression that she froze. Pleasant couldn’t imagine that she might be intimidated by a child, but then, something about the girl reminded her of her sister. They possessed the same rebellious spirit. So it wasn’t really surprising when she asked abruptly, “Who are you?”

  “My name is Miss Hill,” she returned.

  She blinked her big, brown eyes. “Are you my aunt?”

  Pleasant was sure that she was blushing, but she replied evenly, “No. I’m not. I’m only a friend to your Uncle Cornell.”

  Louisa regarded her a moment longer, and then she seemed to come to some sort of conclusion. She turned to her father and announced, “I should like it if she were my relation too, Papa.”

  Lord Haverton chuckled. “I will speak to your uncle about it as soon as possible.”

  With a satisfied nod, she smiled brilliantly at Pleasant.

  At the same time, the butler announced that the meal was ready, so the nurse ushered the children back upstairs while the two couples made their way to the dining room.

  Pleasant was seated next to Cornell on their host’s left at the head of the table, while his wife, Althea, sat next to her husband on his right. The moment they were seated, the crystal wine glasses were filled and soup was brought out in gold-lined china bowls. The fragrant lobster bisque assaulted her nostrils, causing her stomach to grumble.

  She noticed which spoon Cornell picked up, and after the first bite, she couldn’t help but moan lightly in delight. It was delicious, probably the best thing she’d ever tasted.

  “I take it that you are enjoying the first course, Miss Hill.” Lord Haverton spoke up.

  This is only the first course? She nearly blurted out, but instead, she said, “Yes. It’s very good.”

  “I can’t quite place the slight lilt to your accent, Miss Hill,” the countess noted. “From whence do you hail?”

  “Ireland, actually.”

  “How is it that you came to be in London?” she prodded, not unkindly, but merely in genuine curiosity.

  While she didn’t wish to speak of her poor existence surrounded by such wealth, it was who she was. “My father was a cobbler. After his death, my stepmother and I lost everything. We came here last year with my siblings hoping for a new start.”

  “And what is it that you do, Miss Hill?” This came from the earl. “Other than work for Mr. Reed, of course.” Again, there was no judgment in his tone, only a true interest.

  “I worked as a washerwoman while my stepmother became employed as a seamstress. I’m afraid that her health won’t allow much else.” Pleasant had noticed that Aine hadn’t been coughing as much as usual, but then, her episodes usually faded in and out. “My brothers are fifteen and eleven and work as chimney sweeps. My sister is only seven, so she remains at home and helps with the cleaning and light cooking.”

  “Such difficult occupations for you all,” the countess said with a regrettable shake of her head. “I’ve been telling my husband that conditions for the working classes are deplorable. If only Parliament would take more care to notice the fact.”

  “That might come sooner than they imagined,” Cornell murmured from beside her. “But then, that is something I’ll discuss with Lord Haverton a bit later.”

  “There’s no need for that,” Xavier returned. “I encourage my wife’s interest in all things, politics included.”

  “Very well.” Cornell wiped his mouth with his napkin as the soup was replaced with the second course.

  Pleasant’s mouth watered as she eyed the baked fish, asparagus, and Yorkshire pudding with its flaky crust as it was placed in front of her. At this rate, she would snap the strings holding her stays together. But that didn’t keep her from picking up her fork and raising a mouthful of scrumptious food to her lips.

  “In regard to reform,” she heard Cornell say. “You already know there has been talk of a rebellion within the guilds.” He paused. “Yesterday I was approached to join the cause.”

  Pleasant saw Lord Haverton frown and lean back in his chair. “So the unrest continues to grow.”

  “Indeed,” Cornell concurred. “And if something isn’t done quickly, then I fear Parliament will have a mess on their hands to clean up.”

  The earl tapped a finger on the table. “I appreciate you bringing this to my attention, Cornell. I will see what I can do. The last thing the working class people need is any more turmoil in their lives.”

  The last part of the meal was custard with orange cream. Pleasant was determined to steal the recipe from the Haverton cook to try and duplicate it for her family for it was Niall’s favorite dessert.

  Afterward, the men chose to stay behind to enjoy a brandy, while the countess looped her arm through Pleasant’s and said, “Come, Miss Hill. Any new lady that comes into the house must see my conservatory. I’m quite proud of it.”

  “I’d be glad to, Lady Haverton,” Pleasant replied, and she couldn’t help but risk stealing a quick glance at Cornell as she departed. Her chest warmed when she saw that his gaze was fixated on her retreating figure.

  ***

  “I like Miss Hill,” Xavier said once the ladies were gone. “I daresay you seem to be quite enamored with your comely apprentice. Do you intend to make her an offer?”

  Cornell couldn’t help but snort. “You’re rather presumptuous.”

  “Just observant,” the earl countered. “It doesn’t take a scholar to discern you have developed quite a strong attachment to her. The question is what are you going to do about it?”

  He stared into his half-empty wine glass rather than meet the other man’s gaze, where he might see the truth of his feelings, the likes of which he hadn’t quite sorted out himself as yet. “I’ve only known her for two weeks. Don’t you think it’s a bit early for declarations?”

  “It’s not unheard of,” his companion murmured. “I knew the first time I met Althea that she was the one.”

  “Be that as it may, such sentimentality is beyond my realm of expertise,” Cornell drawled
. But then he recalled his reasons for coming here tonight. Pushing his pride aside, he looked to the earl. “I would, however, like to ask a favor of you.”

  Xavier didn’t even hesitate. “Of course.”

  Cornell clenched his jaw and weighed his words carefully. “In spite of my reluctance to join the cause among the guilds, I had a guest the other night, Mr. Ottfield, who inferred that I might have made some enemies in spite of it. I know you can take care of Althea, but—”

  “You’re concerned for Miss Hill and her family,” his half-brother finished.

  Cornell didn’t have to say anything further. He glanced down at the floor as Lord Haverton guessed correctly.

  “In that case, I will make sure that an extra patrol is set up to watch the residence.”

  “Thank you.” Cornell rose to his feet. His brother did the same.

  “I’m glad to assist in any way I can.” Xavier put his hands on his hips, his green gaze intent. “I’ve told you that numerous times upon your return to London. You’re my only sibling, and while I can’t very well offer you a title or demand that you are accepted in society, I can try to make up for past errors. I just wish that you would believe that I’m not like our father.”

  Cornell reached out and set his hand on the earl’s shoulder. It was the first sign of respect that he’d ever offered, and he could tell it surprised Xavier. “I’m starting to,” he said quietly.

  As they were making their way to the parlor, they overheard Pleasant and Althea laughing and chatting as if they were old friends, rather than recent acquaintances from completely different worlds.

  As they came into view, Xavier murmured near his elbow, “If she had debuted in society, I have no doubt she would have had several offers of marriage during her first season.”

  “More than likely,” Cornell concurred. “And suffered a fate worse than death by being attached to some idiot who spends all his time at the gaming tables or his club.”