Still in My Heart by Kathryn Smith Read Free Book Online

After all, Brahm's past actions more than spoke for themselves.
     
     
Her father pulled a face. "Rubbish. Haven't heard a story about him since his father died— God rest his soul. Rumor has it Creed's turning over a new leaf."
     
     
Eleanor could not believe her ears. "But— "
     
     
He cut her off. "Did you not tell me just the other day, when I was determined to never call on Dr. Kerry again, that everyone deserved a second chance?"
     
     
Oh-oh. "Yes." It was a squeak of a whisper.
     
     
Her father smoothed the expanse of sheet next to him with the flat of one broad hand. "Then surely Viscount Creed deserves the same consideration? Unless, of course, you can offer a reason why he does not?"
     
     
Oh, she could, make no mistake! Eleanor opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Her father was watching her— far more closely than she was comfortable with. Her sisters too had closed around her like a cape, their gazes burning into her so she didn't dare spare a glance at any of them.
     
     
"Eleanor?" Muriel prodded softly. "Is there a reason Viscount Creed does not deserve a second chance?"
     
     
The tone of her sister's voice was hopeful, indicating that if there was such a reason, she wished Eleanor would present it, but Eleanor could not. Brahm might have betrayed her trust long ago, and he might have included Lydia in his betrayal, but Eleanor could not reply in kind. Without admitting the awful truth, she had nothing.
     
     
"No," she whispered, an invisible weight pressing down on her shoulders. "I suppose not."
     
     
"Good." Her father's pleased grin was painful to look at. "Then the matter is settled." His humor faded as he met Eleanor's gaze. She could only imagine what her expression must be to warrant such a change in him.
     
     
"All will be well, Ellie. You will see. Viscount Creed will be no trouble at all. Try to give him the benefit of the doubt. You may even find it within yourself to forgive him."
     
     
Eleanor didn't speak; she couldn't. Her own father had sided against her, and she could not reveal to them the one thing that would bring him back.
     
     
Perhaps Brahm had changed; it was possible, but she doubted it. Even if by some miracle he had given up drinking to excess, he was still the same person. It wouldn't change what he had done. It wouldn't change the fact that he had made a fool out of her.
     
     
A second chance. To do what? Make a fool of her again? No. There was no way she would allow that. As for forgiving him, what a joke that was. She would never forgive Brahm for what he did— for toying with both her and Lydia as he did. Never.
     
     
Never.
     
    Chapter 3
S he hadn't kicked him out, yet.
     
By that evening, when his dinner clothes had been laid out by his valet and all other belongings unpacked, Brahm began to suspect that perhaps Eleanor had been unsuccessful in her attempt to have him ousted from the house. It was either that or she hadn't had the chance to talk to her father. It was unlikely that she would fail, as the old man doted on her, but if it was true that Burrough was as ill as the gossips indicated, then he might not have been well enough to have such a discussion with his eldest daughter.
     
     
And when Arabella asked the guests to excuse Eleanor from dinner that night because of a headache, Brahm knew it was his presence that caused her pain. The others knew as well. Society might not know why Eleanor had jilted him, but the fact that she had was common knowledge. More than one guest cast an accusatory gaze in his direction after glancing at Eleanor's empty chair. Her father didn't join them either. The old earl must be ill indeed.
     
     
But the highlight of the evening had to be Lydia's reaction to him— and he meant highlight as in the worst possible thing that could have happened. She didn't seem outraged to see him as her sisters had. In fact, she seemed rather pleased, which raised more than a few eyebrows. Her husband remained