Page 14 of Moonstone Angel
“She sometimes does.” Cara secured the shawl around her shoulders. “It is nothing to be worried about.”
“Should I carry her back to her bedchamber?”
“No, she’ll wake up in a few minutes. Let her rest out here. Having you join us has made her very happy. I think all the excitement tired her out, but in a good way.”
He laughed softly. “Are you being honest or merely polite?”
“Honest.” She cast him a grin as she moved over to the railing and peered out toward the water. “I have no qualms about being impolite with you. In truth, you take it very well. I doubt there is another duke who would be so patient with me. Of course, I’d keep my mouth shut if it were someone else.”
He joined her by the railing and leaned his shoulder against the post. “Why not with me?”
“Because…and don’t you dare gasp in surprise…you are a good person.”
“Why Miss Angel, seems you like me after all.”
She chuckled. “Yes, I admit it. You are a fair and honest man, and you even have a sense of humor. Any other duke would have sacked me on the spot, but you indulged me. You took my jibes with a surprising lack of ill-temper. I think you like that I stood up to you. Few people ever dare, I expect.”
He watched her as she spoke, studying the gentle curve of her lips and the shine in her expressive eyes. “In truth, no one ever does. However, impertinence can grow wearisome.”
“Are you warning me to start behaving? You needn’t. You know my feelings about your grandmother’s situation. I’ve said whatever needed to be said. I hope going forward we can be civil to each other.”
He laughed.
“Why are you laughing at me when I am trying to make amends?”
“I’m laughing at myself if you must know. I don’t want us to be civil to each other.”
Disappointment flashed in her eyes. “You don’t?”
“I want us to behonestwith each other. I want you to be who you are and not hold back your thoughts and opinions for fear of offending me.”
The sparkle sprang back in her eyes as she regarded him. “No one has ever allowed me this…except for your grandmother, but she has a sweet heart, and I could never hurt her. And now you are being just as indulgent. Thank you.”
It struck him then how vulnerable a heart this girl had.
He could so easily crush it if he weren’t careful. “Cara, we may not always agree. But I never want you to be afraid to tell me what is on your mind.”
“Truly?” She sighed in response to his nod. “You make it so difficult to dislike you.”
He placed a hand over his heart in jest. “What? Did I just hear another compliment escape your lips?”
She shook her head and laughed. “Dear heaven, I hope not!”
He understood she’d responded in jest, for her eyes remained alight with mirth.
“Your grandmother assured me you were a good man, but I did not know what to expect. I think she is right. You inspire trust and confidence.”
“I could not have earned the respect of the soldiers under my command otherwise.”
She turned away to stare out over the water again. “You have done such important things with your life, valorous deeds. I cannot seem to do anything right. I hurt a good and decent man like Harlan. Now, you think I have abducted your grandmother and am trying to steal from her.”
“I know you are no thief.”
She gave a light snort. “You know I did not steal any necklace, but you are not yet certain about my friendship with your grandmother. Are you worried as your sisters are that I will steal their inheritance?”
“My grandmother has very little that is not already tied up in trusts.”
She shook her head. “You needn’t tell me what she has and what she hasn’t. I don’t care about any of it. But why would you believe me when I’ve done nothing to prove myself?”
