Page 19 of Moonstone Angel
“Are you suggesting seeing me naked was a necessary evil?”
She tried to stifle a giggle, but it came out as a snort of laughter. “Yes, absolutely. You could have kept your breeches on if you knew I was watching you.”
“And given you only half a show?” He shook his head. “Do I meet with your approval?”
Heavens, this man was beautiful.
“If I said yes, I would be stroking your conceit.”
His gaze turned smoldering. “You may stroke me wherever you wish.”
Her eyes rounded in surprise. “I ought to slap you for the remark.”
“And I ought to spank you for peeking while I undressed.”
“I told you, I only did it to protect you.”
“Ah, that is a very good excuse. I shall have to use it sometime.”
“Truly, I would not have bothered with you otherwise. But I was worried. Only fishermen are up at this hour, and they’ve already sailed off to fish. You would have been completely on your own and could have gotten into all sorts of trouble out there.”
“And what could you have done about it?”
“Sounded the alarm. Woken my neighbors. Run into the water to help you.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You would have jumped in to save me?”
“Yes, how could I not?”
His expression softened. “That is very brave of you.”
She shrugged. “Just be careful when you are out there on your own.”
The morning hinted of it being another hot day.
The sun was already beating down on the water. There was little dew remaining on the grass and no hint of a mist anywhere in sight despite the earliness of the hour. It would be another hour yet before Mildred arrived and prepared breakfast for them. “Would you care for coffee? I can—”
“No. Sit with me, Cara.” He took her hand, entwining their fingers as he closed his eyes and emitted a sigh.
His hand was warm and comforting.
She ought to have drawn it away but could not find the heart to move.
He looked so much at peace in this moment.
She remained quietly beside him and gave thought to their plans for the day.
Duchess Anne had taken to rising earlier and often joined them at the breakfast table. This pleased the duke immensely. It delighted her as well, and although Duchess Anne tired easily, she was always eager for an outing.
They’d had a few days of rain this week.
However, on the sunnier days, she and the duke had gotten into the habit of taking his grandmother along the beach promenade or out for a bit of shopping in town. Afterward, they would stop by the local tea shop for Mrs. Halsey’s excellent pies.
He would also find time to ride Ares for at least an hour each day, for his horse needed exercise. She wasn’t certain where he rode the beast, but there were so many beautiful paths around town.
Today they had been invited to the home of the Killigrew sisters, Lady Phoebe and Lady Chloe, both of whom resided at Moonstone Cottage. They were young, Lady Phoebe barely seventeen and her sister perhaps thirteen. Their eldest sister, Lady Henley, was in London at the moment with the Duke of Malvern, who had insisted on helping her settle some family affairs.
Since her duke did not appear ready to release her hand anytime soon, she sat with him until she heard Mildred coming in the back way. “I had better go in.”
