Page 2 of Moonstone Angel
“You are growling at me again. Stop doing that. She is napping, although I do not know how she could have missed hearing all the noise you made.” She stepped aside to allow him entrance and watched as his gaze swept across the parlor to give it a quick inspection. “Does my home meet with your approval? I hope you find it more to your liking than you find me.”
She had an annoyingly sarcastic mouth, which he still—to his continued annoyance—wanted to kiss.
If only she were not such an acerbic, irreverent thing. “This isyourhome?”
She sighed and invited him to take a seat. “Yes, why do you ask? Or have your sisters, and that horrid woman who will soon be your betrothed, been filling your head with lies?”
He chose to remain standing and, instead, leaned a shoulder against the mantel of her unlit hearth. “Lady Yvonne is not a horrid woman. It is one thing to insult me, but to now—”
“Oh, spare me the indignation.” She rolled her eyes. “I know she is considered a diamond of the first water, and men fall besotted at her feet. I thought you would be more discerning, but I see you are as foolish as the rest of her suitors. She wants you for your rank and deep pockets, you know. Your good looks are a point in your favor, but she would have married you even if you looked like a toad.”
“For pity’s sake, Miss Angel. Are you always this forthcoming with your opinions? Even when they are neither requested nor welcome? You are doing nothing to win my favor.”
“I know, but why do you care? I am just the untrustworthy chit who absconded with your grandmother, and I probably stole something valuable while making my escape. What was it those three accused me of stealing? An item of your grandmother’s jewelry? Or the family silver?”
He arched an eyebrow. “It was a diamond necklace.”
She laughed and shook her head. “I suppose if I were to steal a thing, it would have to be the best to make it worth my while. One of the Strathmore family heirlooms?”
He nodded.
“Truly? They go straight for one’s throat, don’t they? Well, your grandmother will tell you the truth…unlike those three. Do have a seat, won’t you? My housekeeper will bring in refreshments shortly. Will you have tea? I’m afraid I don’t have anything stronger than sherry to offer you. I bought a bottle for your grandmother since she likes a small glass of it before retiring to bed.”
“Tea will do. Just try not to lace it with vinegar…or arsenic,” he said, a smile finally escaping his lips. He’d never believed that tripe about her being a thief, for what criminal of any merit takes a necklace and a grandmother? It did not appear as though his grandmother was being held hostage either.
She returned his smile with a warm one of her own. “You are quite safe with the tea, I assure you. But my housekeeper is not the best cook. I would eat Mildred’s scones with extreme caution. However, you will be relieved to know we’ve ordered in our week’s supply of tea cakes from Mrs. Halsey’s shop on the High Street. Her cakes and pies are quite delicious, and you may munch on them to your heart’s content.”
“Tell me, Miss Angel. Why did you bring my grandmother here?” There were no bars on the windows and doors, and this cottage was situated among other pleasant homes within the village of Moonstone Landing—yes, he knew what the town was called. All of these nicely maintained houses stood upon a hill overlooking the sea.
She sank onto the slightly faded sofa, the sturdy damask fabric no doubt lightened by the sun shining in through the windows. She had those windows open now to allow in the afternoon breeze, which carried the scent of brine from the sea and also a trace of honeysuckle from her garden.
Her expression turned more somber. “She asked me to do it, as sort of a…”
“A dying wish?” He held back the ache that caught painfully in his throat. “My sisters told me of the string of doctors marching in and out of her home these past few months, trying to heal her.”
“Yes, London’s top medical men poking and prodding her until your grandmother grew weary of them and would not let them near her anymore.”
“How serious is it?”
She pursed her lips, that expression alone revealing all he needed to know. But he waited to hear her out, wanting her confirmation. “From what I gather, she does not have much longer to…I’m sorry, I cannot bring myself to say the words. This is why she chased the doctors away. If she is to not see another day, she would rather it happened in peace.”
“I see.”
“London was awful for her.” She took a deep, shaky breath and continued. “They bled her. Stuck leeches all over her body. Bruised her delicate skin so that her arms and legs were a solid wall of yellowish purple. They gave her horrid concoctions to drink.”
His heart was now in utter torment, for he had not been there to help his grandmother in her time of need. But his services had been required at Waterloo, and he could not have refused to fight while the fate of Europe remained hanging in the balance. “It must have been awful for her.”
“It was. She’d finally had enough and asked me to bring her to my home. I grew up in Moonstone Landing and often spoke of my pleasant life here. She wanted to see it for herself, and I could not find it in my heart to deny her. So off we went. The sun and clean air have helped restore her spirits, and she does not appear to be in pain beyond the aches expected of an elderly person.”
He frowned. “That is all well and good, but this idyllic summer adventure cannot last. What did you think to do when the real pain started?”
“We have an excellent doctor here, Your Grace. He comes by to look in on her every day. His name is Dr. Hewitt, and he will answer any of your questions. He is quite knowledgeable. Please do not think I take Duchess Anne’s condition lightly. But also know she is happy here, as you will see once you speak to her.”
“She belongs back in London with—”
“She belongs where she is happiest. That is for her to decide, not you. I know you are quite an important person and used to people jumping to your commands. But I will not do that. Nor will I let you take your grandmother against her will.”
“Me? You are the one who abducted her.” He should have been angered by her impertinence, but there was something in what she said. Having experienced too many years on a battlefield, he appreciated a person’s right to die in peace more than most people would.
