The Promise – Brenda Joyce

Chapter Two

He was restless and did not know why. After so much time away from his family, his mood should have been entirely different. Usually the time he spent in his family home in Ireland was somewhat aimless, his pursuits casual-long rides across the countryside, visits to his neighbors, tea with his sisters and raucous family suppers. He didn’t feel casual now. Instead, he felt like rushing back to his ship and hoisting sail.

Last night, sleep had eluded him. All evening, he had thought about his run home from China, the price his tea had commanded from the London agents, and how fast his next run could be. He drew, in his mind’s eye, the plans for the ship he intended to have built, just for the China trade. But in the night-darkened bedroom, his thoughts kept straying back to Elysse O’Neill. Even now, as he sat at breakfast with his family, his thoughts were on her.

She had always been beautiful. He’d thought so even as a small boy, when they’d first met. In fact, he would never forget walking into the drawing room at Harmon House for the very first time, having just arrived in London with his father after a long voyage from Jamaica, where he had been raised. He had read about London, of course, but he had never imagined such a large, bustling city, with so many palaces and mansions. As excited as he had been to finally visit his father’s homeland, he had been taken-aback-and very, very careful to hide it. On their way to Harmon House, Cliff had pointed out many of London’s sights to him and Ariella. Harmon House had seemed as majestic and imposing as Buckingham Palace.

To hide his nervous anxiety, he had increased the swagger in his stride and the set of his small shoulders. His father had been warmly greeted by his brothers, one of whom was the Earl of Adare. A number of other adults and children were present. He’d only seen the lovely golden girl dressed in pink silk and satin seated on the gold damask sofa.

He had mistakenly assumed her to be a real princess. He had never seen anyone as pretty, and when she looked at him, he’d felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. But she turned her nose up at him like a true snob. He’d instantly wanted to impress her. He had strutted over to her. Without even an introduction, he had boasted about his exploits on the high seas. Her purple eyes had been as huge as saucers…

The memory almost made Alexi smile. Within days, they had become friends. However, his smile failed him now. Last night, Elysse had been even more stunning than he recalled. Was it possible that he’d forgotten just how beautiful she was? He’d certainly forgotten how petite she was. When he’d rushed to her side as she’d tripped on the stairs, taking a firm hold of her, he’d been stunned at how tiny and feminine she had felt in his arms.

Of course, he wasn’t the only man to have noticed her striking looks. Ogilvy was smitten-and if he didn’t miss his guess, she had ensnared his pilot, too.

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