Promise Me Forever by Lorraine Heath Read Free Book Online

never guessed that she wasn’t happy with the life she led. How many other ladies weren’t?
    “You might talk to my cousin Lydia. She’s the Duchess of Harrington now, and she absolutely adores the rules. She’s even published a book on the subject of manners. Blunders in Behavior Corrected . It’s apparently quite popular among theAmerican heiresses who are looking to fit into London society. You can purchase it at any bookshop.”
    “I’ve never been one for reading. I prefer being shown. I’d rather you be the one doing the showing.”
    “I’m afraid that my present schedule gives me very little time,” she said.
    “I wouldn’t need much,” he said.
    She smiled sadly. “You have no idea, Tom. There are so many rules, so many things to learn. It would take months, and I don’t have months to give.”
    “What’s so important that it can’t wait?”
    “For some time now, I’ve been making plans to return to Texas.”

Chapter 4
    L auren’s announcement hit Tom like a solid punch to the gut that would have caused him to stagger if he’d been standing. He wasn’t prepared to have her exiting his life so soon after he’d walked back into hers.
    Ravenleigh looked equally startled, but before he or Tom could question Lauren further, joyous laughter echoed outside the room just before the door opened and three women—smiling brightly, obviously happy—traipsed in.
    Joining Ravenleigh as he came to his feet, Tom thought the older woman was Lauren’s mother, but she in no way resembled the harsh woman whom he’d avoided at all costs back in Fortune, awoman he’d never seen smile. The two ladies accompanying her had to be Lauren’s sisters. He had a vague recollection of them, but even without that memory, he would have recognized the strong family resemblance: blond hair, blue eyes, and delicate features. Her sisters had grown into beauties, but they still paled in comparison to Lauren. He recognized that all women always would because they always had.
    “I take it you had a successful outing,” Ravenleigh said.
    “Yes, indeed,” one of the younger ladies acknowledged, her blue gaze shifting to Tom with obvious interest.
    “You remember Tom, Mama,” Lauren said.
    For the briefest moment, he thought he saw fear reflected in her mother’s blue eyes, just before she angled her chin defiantly, a gesture that Lauren had long ago begun to emulate. “Yes, of course. What in the world brings you to London?”
    She surprised Tom by speaking with a refinement that she hadn’t before, not quite British, but almost. He wondered if a day would come when he’d sound as foreign to himself as everyone around him did now.
    “He’s come to claim his title,” Lauren said, before Tom could respond. “He’s Lord Sachse.”
    Her mother looked at Tom as though he’d suddenly sprouted a set of horns. He shifted his stance, wishing he didn’t feel so incredibly uncomfortable under her scrutiny. The woman had always had a knack for making him feel as though he was doing something he shouldn’t. Usually because he had been.
    “Well, isn’t this a surprise,” her mother finally said, tonelessly.
    “I daresay that’s an understatement,” one of her sisters announced. “You’re the talk of the town. Everywhere we went today, people wanted to know if we knew the new Earl of Sachse.” She laughed lightly. “We had no idea that indeed we did.”
    “You might feel as though you know him,” her other sister said, “but I must confess that I have hardly any memory of him. I’m sorry, my lord.” She curtsied. “I’m Amy in case your recollection of me is as vague as mine of you.”
    Tom bowed his head slightly, acknowledging—and he hoped—appearing refined at the same time. “I remember you.”
    Lauren’s other sister gave him a coy look. “And me, my lord. Samantha. Do you remember me as well?”
    “Yes, ma’am, but you don’t have to call me ‘my lord.’”
    Samantha smiled warmly. “I’m