Page 21 of The Moonstone Marquess
He put his hand to her cheek. “I did enjoy myself immensely. I like being around you. You make me forget who I am.”
“No, I make you remember who you really are.” She reached up on tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You were splendid today.”
“Falling in love with me yet?”
She cast him an impudent smile. “It is early days yet, my lord. But I don’t hate you nearly as much as I did yesterday.”
“Ah, that’s progress.” He wanted to kiss that lovely pink mouth of hers but decided to save it for tonight. “I’ll be back to tuck the girls into bed this evening.”
He would tuck Phoebe into bed if she’d let him.
But that was not going to happen anytime soon. He did not wish to come on too strong with her.
In truth, he had enjoyed their time together, going about the village, taking the boat ride, and then stopping for ices. It was the sort of innocent day his brother might have with his wife and daughters. Yes, John always seemed to adore and thrive on these sort of days, these incredibly wholesome and innocent outings.
How different he and his brother were.
John found great pleasure in his family and was never one to behave like a hound, not even in his younger days, when anyone would have forgiven him for sowing his wild oats. Cormac had behaved badly enough for the two of them.
And yet he and John were as close as two brothers could be and loved each other fiercely.
Phoebe walked him to his carriage. “You needn’t come by this evening. Do you not have your friends to entertain?”
“They will get along fine without me.” Cormac shook his head and silently admonished himself for being an utter dolt. Perhaps his brother was onto something—this settling into family life and not looking at every beautiful woman as a potential conquest.
He had spent an entire day with Phoebe and not been bored at all. Not once. Even now, after hours of being together, he felt as though the time had passed too quickly. He could not get enough of her.
When had he ever felt this way about a woman?
Of course, this might all change tomorrow. But he did not think so.
“Very well,” she said with a nod. “You are welcome to join us for supper, if you wish. I’ll read to the girls for a little while afterward, then Chloe will get them off to bed.”
“No, not for supper. But I will try to make it before Chloe takes the girls up to bed.”
She smiled at him. “Ah, just in time to rile them so they will never fall asleep.”
He held up his hand in mock surrender. “I shall be on my best behavior.”
“No, just be yourself. This is what the girls adore about you. Besides, I shall enjoy railing at you if you get too far out of line.”
He liked the sparkle of mirth in her eyes and her impudent smile.
She was soft and sweet. Yet also a little lioness and not afraid to stand up to him. She matched wits with him and often bested him.
Some men might be offended by someone like Phoebe, but he relished her challenge. He was too often insufferable and arrogant. But that arrogance also too often turned to resentment, anger, and frustration over the loss of his arm.
This loss still haunted him and plagued him as though it were fresh.
Being around Phoebe eased him.
Not only was there a beautiful softness about her, but she regarded him as a whole being and gave no thought to the missing limb. Nor would she allow him to use that loss as an excuse for his misdeeds.
She blistered him whenever he took a step out of line, yet she had such a sweet way of doing it. Well, she did not mince words. But they were always delivered with caring and compassion. She wanted him to heal. She wanted him to find happiness.
He supposed that counted for something.
“Until later, then, Phoebe.”
