Promise Me Heaven Read Online Free Page A

manners, was instantly contrite. “Not so many years ago, when you were more concerned with the fribbles of the ton…” she added hastily.
    “I remember. ’Tis a bit vague, being so many years back, but I do seem to recall carrying a bit less
bulk
.”
    “Exactly!” She fell back in her chair, relaxing. “And I’m sure your manners were wonderful and that a great number of women found you the best of company. Some of them probably really did pursue you.”
    “I have distinctly fond memories of one or two,” Thomas replied laconically. “But it was so long ago, one wonders if one is merely rewriting history to warm one on a dull evening.”
    “Oh, no,” said Cat, “I’m sure there were. Really.”
    “How good of you to see back to the days of my long past youth and surmise, from this countrified hulk you have seen fit to dine with, the dim shadows of my insignificant career as a rake.”
    “You are too modest. I’m sure it wasn’t altogether insignificant. My, what an easy man you are to talk to.”
    “It did much to further my reputation.”
    “I’m sure it did,” she agreed, drunkenly polite.
    “And since I do listen so well, perhaps you will now tell me the reason for your visit.”
    “Well, I don’t know. I spent all afternoon trying to come up with some plausible excuse for coming here. It wasn’t your brother’s bird book.” She stared at him with an equal mixture of candor and contrition.
    What a confoundedly forthright woman
, thought Thomas in exasperation.
Mayhaps now we can dispense with all my amusing shortcomings and finally come to the point.
    “I rather thought not,” he said. “Why don’t you tell me the real reason you are here?”
    “Should I?” she asked brightly. “Well, perhaps that’s best. You’ll think it rare amusing, no doubt.”
    She dimpled at him. His face remained a smooth mask of polite interest. “No doubt.”
    “All right then, I came precisely because of your past notoriety as a rake.”
    “Pardon me?” He had anticipated a request for money. He had even prepared to grant it. Even now. But what his past had to do with her visit was beyond his comprehension.
    “Yes. It was all rather silly, I’m afraid. But, you see, I came out a good three years ago. Yes, I’m quite long in the tooth myself, if the truth be known.” She smiled companionably. “And I have had it in my mind to alter my current state by marrying.”
    “My best wishes,” Thomas said, fervently wishing her intended the best of luck. “And?”
    “Well then, there’s the rub.” Cat scowled, her dark brows drawing into an angry line. “The man I’ve selected won’t come up to scratch.”
    “He won’t?” asked Thomas, feigning surprise. Silently he congratulated the unknown fool on his good sense.
    “No. No, he won’t.” Bright spots of color appeared high on her cheekbones, again surprising him. He would expect her to be sad, or upset, or woeful, but not angry.
    “You see,” she continued, “the gentleman I have decided on is currently acquiring the reputation you had—or rather, the reputation that history has written for you. He’s not quite achieved the name. But it is not for want of trying. I’m afraid, given time, he really may become a rake. He’s quite, quite irresistible to females. Quite handsome—no, gloriously handsome—and very, very wealthy. And he’s taken to using these attributes quite shamelessly in pursuing…”
    “Pleasures of the flesh?” Thomas suggested.
    “Exactly! But, in spite of that, I feel we would deal well together. He’s the perfect height to partner me in a dance,” she stated with alcohol-imbued logic. “Besides which, I could make good use of his fortune and his position. And it really is past time I marry. I have quite set my mind on it.”
    “And your heart?” Thomas prompted, unsure why he asked.
    Perhaps she did not hear the query in her current state, or simply chose not to answer it. She fluttered her fingers