Page 9 of Moonstone Landing
“Wednesday is market day in Moonstone Landing. The green will be packed with stands and wagons then. You’ll be able to find almost anything you need.” He turned to study her. “You look tired, Hen. I think Miss Gray’s story took much out of you.”
She smiled at him. “I do not think I can ever hate you after learning what you did. Please accept my apology for any rudeness I may have displayed toward you.”
“No apology needed,” he said with a rakish grin. “I am still an arrogant arse, even if I do have a few redeeming qualities. But come on, you do look pale. I’ll walk you to the tea shop. Mrs. Halsey makes the best cherry pie. She also has an excellent mint tea.”
The sky had grown overcast, so she hurried to Mrs. Halsey’s shop and sat at one of the tables. She ordered the cherry pie and mint tea and ate as the rain began to fall in earnest.
Captain Arundel was still regarding her with concern. “The rain will pass soon. It always does. But the roadway will be muddy. Mrs. Halsey’s husband keeps a cart out back. He’ll take you back home. You shouldn’t walk, Hen.”
She gave him a subtle nod and then polished off her slice of pie.
The rain had stopped by the time she drank the last of her tea. “That was delicious, Mrs. Halsey. I think I shall take an entire one home with me.”
The portly woman laughed. “Cherry pie was the captain’s favorite, too.”
Henleigh nodded. “Then I shall leave a slice out for him.”
The woman glanced around, then whispered. “Have you seen him yet, my lady? Cherry pie and mint tea was what he ordered whenever he came into my shop.”
Henleigh tried not to blush, but she was never very good at hiding her feelings. Instead, she tried to make a jest of it. “Perhaps he came to me in my sleep and whispered in my ear about your pie and tea. I shall have to thank him, for the recommendation was excellent. I shall bring my nieces around first thing when they come to visit.”
Mrs. Halsey tittered. “I look forward to it.”
Henleigh rose to peer out the window. “May I trouble your husband for a ride home?”
“No trouble at all, m’lady.” She bustled into the kitchen, calling for Mr. Halsey.
The tea shop had emptied out now that the rain stopped.
She and the captain were alone for the moment.
“Hen,” he said gently, “you have nieces?”
She nodded. “Three lovely little girls. My brother’s daughters.”
He frowned. “Would your brother not permit you to live with him? Or was it his wife who chased you away?”
“Neither of them. In truth, they wanted me to stay with them and were very disappointed when I purchased your cottage. They’ll come to visit me soon, and you will meet them. But you mustn’t scare any of them, or I shall never forgive you.”
“Heap more curses on my soul?” He laughed softly but soon turned serious. “I wouldn’t harm your family. They seem very nice.”
“They are. My brother is a very kind man. We have always been close. He married a lovely young woman, who thinks of me as a sister. I am godmother to their eldest girl. She has my name, but hers is spelled H-e-n-l-e-y. I plan to leave the cottage to her upon my—” She gave a ridiculous giggle. “Well, I am getting ahead of myself, aren’t I?”
The captain remained serious in his regard. “Are you?”
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
His gaze bore into her as though he were trying to reach into her soul. “Why are you here, Hen? What is really going on with you?”
Chapter Four
As soon asthe sun had set and Hen had retired to his bedchamber, Brioc put in his appearance. He had arrived earlier but said nothing while she undressed and readied herself for bed, going through the same routine he had watched her go through each night. First, slipping out of her gown, then untying the laces of her corset, and finally removing her chemise to reveal her exquisite body.
She quickly washed the day’s dirt off herself with lavender soap and afterward donned the serviceable nightrail she had set out for herself on the bed.
His bed.
She belonged in it.
