Page 17 of The Moonstone Marquess
James had asked him to take on the responsibility of guiding Richard as he stepped into the title of Earl of Crawford. For some odd reason, he’d trusted no one else.
How could Cormac refuse?
Now, the distressed young man was in deathly fear of his new responsibilities and could not stop bemoaning that James was dead.
Cormac had promised to give Richard a sense of purpose and confidence to help him get over his dark feelings, and this was what he was determined to do.
However, all he had accomplished so far was to show Richard how wretchedly low they had all fallen.
He had to fix this, and would start tonight when the man woke up. His hours had gotten all mixed up, as had everything else since losing his brother.
Cormac walked out of the house and climbed into his waiting carriage.
Within ten minutes, the team was drawing up in front of Moonstone Cottage. His heart melted at the sight of his nieces in their pretty bonnets and lacy frocks. Phoebe had their pelisses in hand, for the weather would be cooler on the water and they needed a wrap to keep them warm.
She and Chloe climbed in and took the seats opposite his while his nieces sat beside him, the two of them so little, they hardly took up any space. Imogen climbed onto his lap. “Are you looking forward to our boat ride, my duckling?” he asked.
She nodded. “Ever so much.”
Lord, how sweet she was, her big eyes so trusting and adoring of him.
He hoped circumstances would never turn his nieces into shallow, aimless women like the countess and viscountess presently under his roof. He shuddered to think of such a fate for these precious girls.
Perhaps Phoebe was not wrong in her insistence on a love match. He would demand no less for his nieces when they were old enough to marry.
As for himself, he could not be leg-shackled to someone he did not admire and respect. But once duly shackled, what then?
Even he, as thick a dolt as he was, understood some things had to change.
Within half an hour, they arrived in the village of Moonstone Landing proper. His driver slowed the team as they passed quaint cottages with their flowers in bloom and colorfully set out on display.
It was not long before they reached St. Peter’s Church, the ancient stone structure within the vicarage of the same name where they were to drop off Chloe. The church was built atop a hill, and its spire was visible from almost everywhere one happened to be standing in the village. It was also easily seen by fishermen returning their boats to the harbor, serving as a landmark to guide them safely home.
After dropping Chloe off, he asked his driver to pull the carriage up in front of Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop. From there, it was a short walk along the high street to the harbor. He hopped down and then lifted the girls out.
Phoebe was agile and hopped down on her own.
He took Imogen’s hand while Phoebe held Ella’s.
He ignored the warm feeling that came over him, for how could one be this content merely walking down a street? Perhaps it was the company he kept, for he certainly loved his nieces fiercely, and they gave his heart no end of pleasure.
Nor could he overlook the calm he felt having Phoebe by his side.
Not merely calm, but dare he say it…happiness?
He had forgotten what it felt like.
They passed the village green, and Phoebe paused a moment to study an inscribed stone monument placed prominently within the green.
“What is it?” he asked.
“A memorial in honor of our Moonstone Cottage ghost.”
“Your cottage? Where my nieces are staying?”
“Yes, but he would never hurt them.”
Cormac shrugged off her assurances, since he did not believe in ghosts.
