Page 24 of Moonstone Angel
“As you deserve to be,” she said with a frown. “We fairer sex have feelings which you constantly overlook. When a woman of good character gives herself to a man, it is because she loves him. Whether she comes to him as his wife or as his mistress, it is out of love. How do you think a mistress would feel when the man she loves goes off and marries someone else? Raises children with that other woman. Establishes a home with her. Conversely, how would the loving wife feel if her husband ignored her for another woman?”
“You are being naive, Cara. Smart women, whether wives or mistresses, manage to secure their futures. They negotiate the terms up front, whether it be with one man or a string of men.”
“Love is not a negotiation.”
“It is, Cara. No different than a business arrangement. It is a negotiation on whom to marry. Where to reside. How much to settle on the spouse and children. And for those men who choose to take on a mistress, it—”
She gasped.
“I am not saying I would be such a man. Indeed, I would not.”
“Then why mention it?”
“Because I am speaking of men in general, not about myself. My point is that we negotiate everything in life. Love is no exception.”
“That is where you are wrong. Love is a feeling that cannot be denied. When you love someone, you never have to worry about bargaining with them because love is about always supporting each other and protecting each other. Love is about giving, not taking.”
“Cara, you are getting worked up.”
“I cannot help it.” She took a deep breath and continued. “Love is not about material wealth or possessions. It is about all the things that cannot be bought. Happiness, fulfillment, contentment, a meeting of the souls.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Gad, you make my head spin.”
She cast him a wry smile. “Let me guess, that is not meant as a compliment.”
She moved a few steps away from him because he was wildly attractive. She wanted to fall into his arms and succumb to his passionate kisses. No negotiation necessary. Was she that far gone in her affection for him that she would give up everything at his slightest encouragement? “I need to take a walk along the beach before supper.”
“I’ll come with you.”
She was not pleased. “Don’t you think we ought to give each other a little distance?”
“No. We are not done with this conversation.” He took her by the hand and led her toward the beach stairs. He said not a word as they climbed down, their shoes clomping on the aged wood. When they reached the last step, she took a moment to slip off her shoes.
But she resisted when he took her hand again, because he seemed intent on leading her closer to the water. “Not there.”
“You are afraid.”
She nodded. “You know I am. I’ve made no secret of it.”
“Yet you told me that you would run in to save me if I were drowning.”
“I would.” She nodded again. “And your point?”
His gaze searched hers. “Truly, Cara? Even though you are clearly afraid of the water?”
The sand felt warm beneath her feet, and a hot breeze swirled around them. “Yes.”
“Scared as you are, you would jump in to save me?”
“Why are you so doubtful? My answer will always be yes because saving a life is more important than my fear. This is what Captain Arundel’s valorous actions taught me. For years I wondered why I was spared. Do you not think of it yourself now that you have survived the war? Why are we still here when others are not? Is there some divine purpose to our existence?”
“And what have you concluded?”
She laughed wryly. “I have mostly questions and very few answers. But I know I cannot allow his sacrifice to be wasted. I think I was meant to live in order to save someone else’s life—or at least make someone’s life better. Well, this is what I have convinced myself of. I thought it might be your grandmother, but would it not be a grand jest if I was put on this earth for you?”
Apparently, he did not find it very funny.
“Me?” He stared at her quite seriously for a long moment, then shook his head. “My very own angel. How obvious? Why did I not see it before now? This is even your name, Miss Angel. Cara Angel…my dear angel.”
