Page 91 of The Moonstone Marquess
“Good. Join us at the Kestrel Inn at eleven o’clock. The duke and I should be done with our business by then.”
“They’re obtaining a wedding license,” Chloe said with a squeal. “Lord Burness is to marry my sister.”
The lieutenant seemed genuinely delighted. “My heartiest congratulations.”
“The wedding will be next week,” Chloe went on, for she was almost as excited as Phoebe was about the momentous event. “As soon as Lord Burness’s brother arrives to pick up his girls. You must attend as well, for it is to be a grand affair and all the villagers are invited. Will you remain in town until next week?”
“Yes, but…” He glanced at Phoebe and Cormac. “I would not want to intrude.”
“Nonsense,” Cormac said. “You are most welcome. The duke and duchess have already taken this wedding completely out of our hands. The wedding breakfast will take place at Malvern House. The duke is not going to let my wedding day pass without turning it into a spectacle.”
“And Hen will be planning it right along with him,” Phoebe said with a laugh. “She always did like a good party. Do join us now for cakes at Mrs. Halsey’s tearoom. We’d love to hear more about your plans.”
The lieutenant fell into step with Cormac while she and Chloe led the way up the high street with the girls.
Mr. Bedwell waved to her as they walked past his mercantile establishment. “Good day to you, Lady Phoebe. Any adventures for you today?”
She laughed. “No, all quiet. Lovely day, isn’t it, Mr. Bedwell?”
The aroma of freshly baked cakes tickled her nostrils. “Girls, just breathe deeply. Can you smell cinnamon and apples? Doesn’t it make your mouth water?”
“I want a strawberry tart,” Imogen said, wrinkling her pert nose.
“I’m going to have a ginger cake,” Ella insisted.
Thaddius Angel was standing in front of the Kestrel Inn and waved to her. “My uncle wants to make you an honorary constable,” he teased.
The lieutenant eyed her speculatively once they were seated. “I think I must have missed something while I was out of town.”
Chloe quickly filled him in. “My sister was as brave as any soldier on the battlefield.”
“Indeed, Lady Phoebe. What you did is to be commended.”
“Chloe exaggerates,” Phoebe replied. “Lord Burness did most of the work.”
Cormac shook his head. “I threw a few punches, that’s all. She saved my life.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened. “Oh, ho! Now you do admit I saved you.”
His gorgeous eyes shimmered with mirth. “Yes, you impertinent baggage. But don’t get too confident.” He turned serious a moment later and covered her hand with his. “What you did was dangerous, and I would never forgive myself if you ever got hurt on my account.”
She felt the ache in his words and did not have the heart to respond with a glib answer.
Imogen stared at them. “Can I have my strawberry tart now?”
Phoebe and Cormac chuckled.
“Yes, duckling,” he said. “You may have as many as will fill your stomach.”
They bade Lieutenant Brennan farewell a short while later and returned to Moonstone Cottage. Chloe took the girls up for a nap.
Phoebe and Cormac took a walk down to the beach.
He wrapped her hand in his, the feeling quite nice as they strolled along the shore together. But they hadn’t gone far before he stopped and settled on the sand. He nudged her down so that she sank down in front of him, seated between his legs with her back resting against his chest.
He placed his arm around her as she nestled against the solid breadth of him. “It’s this, Phoebe. Little moments like this that give me the most pain, knowing I can never wrap my arms around you or hold you with the embracing love you deserve. I don’t even know on which side of the bed I should have you sleep. On my right, so you can sleep cuddled against my good arm? Or on my left, so I can more easily reach out to you? But that would leave you sleeping beside half an arm.”
“Which feels worse to you?”
