Page 7 of Moonstone Angel
Her Uncle Joseph was the tavern’s proprietor, and he ran a fine establishment catering to the local residents. But he was also talking of expanding his premises now that outsiders were beginning to flock to their little patch of England’s heaven.
Her uncle set aside the glasses he had been rinsing, dried his hands on a fresh cloth, and came around to hug her as she walked in. “Cara, love. How is the grand lady faring today?”
“Much better now that her grandson has arrived.” She gave a wincing laugh. “I have both of them staying with me. I’m not certain for how long, but I should know more by tomorrow. In the meantime, can you have Wills deliver your finest meal as soon as possible? I have nothing decent to offer the duke.”
Her Aunt Lettie bustled out of the tavern’s kitchen in time to hear her request. “Only you would find yourself in such a fix, Cara. And here we were so worried about you when the squire’s son abandoned you at the altar. But you seem to have gotten over the hurt. Won’t he regret it when he hears you are entertaining a duke and a duchess?”
“We always knew those Covington boys were no good,” her uncle muttered, referring to the sleepy village nestled in the cove to the west of their own. Her former betrothed had been born and raised there.
Cara sighed. “There is nothing wrong with the Covington boys.”
“But one broke your heart only three years ago,” Aunt Lettie reminded her.
“He did not. I broke it off,” she said, knowing her words would go unheeded. “I was hardly more than a child. I had just turned seventeen and had not yet gained confidence in my decisions. I was swayed by others, as you well know since you were very much in favor of the match.”
“You were recently orphaned, and we thought we were doing right by you,” her uncle said with a shake of his head. “I’m truly sorry it ended badly.”
“I know, Uncle Joseph. I do not blame anyone but myself. However, I would appreciate no one mentioning that unfortunate betrothal again. It is certainly none of the duke’s business. He is already peeved I brought his grandmother here. I’m worried he will take her back to London at the slightest prompting. We do not need to give him a reason to take her away. Besides, as I said, Harlan did not end the betrothal. I did, and the timing of it was not well done of me.”
Her aunt patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, love. We’ll keep our mouths shut about that disaster. And if you feel better about saying it was you who ended the betrothal, then that is what we shall say, too.”
Cara gave up.
After all these years, even she was starting to believe the gossip circulating about her unfortunate wedding day. Her parents had passed away the year before, and she had been too young to know what she was doing. Everyone in the family wanted her to accept Harlan’s proposal, so she had. But standing in the church rectory, knowing there was no turning back once they entered the church and reached the altar, she’d taken Harlan aside. “I cannot go through with the ceremony.”
He’d stormed out in anger.
Yes, it was terrible of her to back out on the morning of their wedding, but she could not find it in her heart to marry a man she did not love. He was happily married now to the right woman, a lovely Covington girl who had adored him all her life.
Which now left Cara at the age of twenty, unwed, and with no prospects of marrying any time soon. She did not mind, really. Being a spinster, which was her likely fate, was better than being unhappily wed.
After the mess she’d made of her betrothal to Harlan, no man in Covington or Moonstone Landing dared come near her. “I had better return to Duchess Anne. Do tell Wills to hurry. I’m sure the duke has built up an appetite after his long day’s ride.”
Speaking of the man, she saw him carrying bags from the stable, one slung over each broad shoulder and a third held in his hand. She hurried over to him. “I can help with the smaller one,” she offered.
He shook his head. “No, it’s heavy. I’ll manage. Why are you not with my grandmother?”
“Mildred is looking after her, and I was only gone a few minutes to order food from the tavern for you. You do not look like the sort to eat like a sparrow, so I’ve had some heartier fare sent over. I’ll shop tomorrow for more, once I know how long you’ll be staying.”
“That’s easy. I’ll be here as long as my grandmother stays.”
Cara nibbled her lower lip in worry. “Will you allow her length of stay to be her decision? Or are you going to cart her off against her wishes?”
“Don’t press me for answers, Cara. You will not like them. For now, let’s leave it as I don’t know.”
“Fair enough.” She sighed and hurried ahead of him to open her front gate and then her front door. “Your room shall be the large one on the right at the top of the stairs. It is where my parents slept. The bed ought to be comfortable, although I expect you are used to finer.”
“You forget, I have been on the Continent most of these past few years. Home merely a few months between Napoleon’s exile in Elba and his escape. Most of the time, my bed has been a patch of ground or a cot whenever I could find one.”
“Oh, yes. I did not think…well, the sheets, blankets, and drying cloths are clean. I’ll bring up fresh water and soap for you. Let me know if there is anything else you need.”
“I’ll be fine, Cara. You needn’t fuss over me. Where’s my grandmother?” he asked as they strode in to find the parlor empty.
“She must have returned to her room to pretty herself up for you. I’ll look in on her next. Before I leave you, I would just like to thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming out here. You are the best medicine your grandmother could ever receive.”
