Page 9 of Moonstone Angel
And heard his grandmother berating him, just as he deserved. But she thought no more about the man and hurried to the back door to greet her cousin. “Thank you, Wills. My, that smells delicious.”
Her cousin was a strapping young man of sixteen with a mass of curly, brown hair and hazel eyes similar to the color of her own. His name was Arthur William Angel, but everyone called him Wills.
“Ma’s an excellent cook, but she’s also a snoop.” He set down the basket of food and crossed the kitchen to peer into the hall. “I’m supposed to report back about the duke. What can I tell her?”
Cara laughed. “That he…” No, she had to curb her tongue, for whatever she said about him would spread through town like wildfire. “That he is a very good man. A brave soldier and loving grandson.”
Well, it was all true.
“I hear he led several important campaigns against the French. Do you think he would talk to me about them?”
“I don’t know. He might. Give it a few days and we’ll see. Let him settle in before you accost him.”
“All right.” He kissed the top of her head. “Enjoy your meal. Keep out of trouble.”
She frowned at her cousin. “I have no intention of getting into trouble.”
“I’m just saying, Cara. You have a duke sleeping in your home.”
She gave his arm a playful swat. “With his grandmother!”
He grinned back at her. “Don’t be angry with me. I’m just trying to protect you. You know how rumors get blown out of proportion.”
“Yes, unfortunately, I do.”
Mildred joined them in the kitchen now that she’d set the dining room table. “Hullo, Wills. Are you headed back to the tavern? Give me a moment, and I’ll walk with you. Miss Cara, I’ll set the food on the platters, and then would you mind if I left with your cousin?”
“Not at all. I’ll handle things from there,” she said with more confidence than she felt. Her cousin’s comments had disturbed her. Were rumors already starting? What was she to do about them?
The duke would not care, but she already had a matrimonial scandal behind her. One such misstep might be overlooked, but two? Perhaps if the duke were not so gorgeous…but he was.
She was so lost in her concerns, she did not immediately realize she had overlooked ordering something suitable for said gorgeous duke to drink. She and his grandmother usually had lemonade or cider with their meal.
But he would not be satisfied with such tame fare, nor would she blame him if he cast a remark about her oversight.
Her distress as the three of them were now alone and seated around the dining room table must have been obvious.
“Cara,” he said, his voice a gentle rumble. “Is something wrong?”
“I am so stupid. I was at the tavern and completely forgot to order wine or ale or brandy for you. I’m so sorry. It was not done on purpose.”
He surprised her by setting his hand lightly over hers. “It is fine. I’ll have cider. We’ll correct the oversight tomorrow. I’ll stop by there and select for myself.”
He eased his hand off hers and inhaled. “What is that? The aroma is spectacular.”
Duchess Anne smiled. “Cara’s aunt is an excellent cook. She and her uncle run the local tavern. I’ve put on a bit of weight since arriving here. Her game pie,” she said, pointing to one set on a tray in the center of the dining table, “is exquisite.”
They all dug in.
To Cara’s relief, the meal proceeded smoothly. Perhaps it was because the duke was too busy eating to insult her further. Although he’d been quite nice about her neglect regarding the wine and ale. They even lingered over the meal, listening to him speak of those final days at Waterloo. “It was a close thing,” he said in a respectful tone. “Had Blucher not arrived with his regiments, the outcome might have been quite different.”
She and his grandmother were rapt.
“The Scots Greys distinguished themselves on the field of battle, a relief considering they hadn’t seen much direct action during the war. But Scots are fighters, and their cavalry units came through for us. Lord Castlereagh decided to leave them behind to keep the peace in France until matters are more settled. But we have Napoleon back in custody, and he will not escape St. Helena’s.”
He spoke of others who had fought beside him, but Cara knew he had distinguished himself, as well. She found his modesty surprising, especially since he seemed to be arrogant in most things. The more he spoke, the harder she found it not to like him.
But he was so curt with her.
