Page 28 of The Moonstone Marquess
“Please, Burness. Let me stay another week. Did you not promise my brother?”
Cormac sighed. “Very well, but I must have your word you will be on your best behavior. My nieces are precious to me, and I will flay you alive if you do anything to overset them.”
“I never would. How old are they?”
“Six and eight.”
“Ah, they are very young. I shall guard my language around them.”
“No drinking, either.”
Richard grinned. “All right. Not a drop.”
He seemed sincere enough about it. “I cannot spend much time with you. My nieces are little and require my full attention.”
“I never would have thought it of you. Perhaps you will make a fine father someday.”
Cormac snorted.
“Then we are agreed, Harding and the ladies stay on for two or three more days. I will make certain they leave when their time is up. As for me, I stay on and busy myself exploring the area. A few extra days, perhaps a week at most, and then I will be off to join these friends in London.”
Cormac nodded.
“You have no idea how grateful I am to you for all your guidance. You understand me as no one else does. Well, my brother did. But now, he is gone and left me in charge of the Crawford holdings. This still terrifies me, but perhaps a little less so now. He knew you were the right man to help me. I would never repay your kindness by upsetting your nieces.”
Cormac was not so certain he wanted to bring them to Westgate Hall while Richard was still here.
He would discuss it with Phoebe later.
Richard seemed well pleased. “I think I shall head to the parlor now to indulge in some bad behavior while I have the chance. You don’t mind, do you?”
“I am not your nanny. Do as you wish.” After all, it was Richard who’d brought these ladies and Lord Harding here. “Try not to overindulge. Your friends are wastrels, but you are not.”
Cormac was not pleased about Richard remaining for another week, but how could he shirk a deathbed promise to the earl’s brother?
They’d had one good talk this afternoon, but more had to be done before Richard was truly on the road to recovery. The young earl would get there in time. Cormac had to think of ways to inspire him, give him enough confidence not to fall apart once he returned to London.
He was not convinced the girls should come to him yet.
First, because of Richard.
Second, if the girls stayed with Phoebe, it would give him reasons to see her every day. Phoebe sincerely liked his nieces and would not mind having them with her for a little while longer.
But he would not presume to know her mind. If she wished him to take his nieces, then he would reconsider what to do about Richard.
As the clock chimed the seven o’clock hour, he washed and dressed, eager to ride over to Moonstone Cottage and talk to Phoebe. It would not take him long to see his nieces and kiss them goodnight…kiss Phoebe, too.
Lord, he ached to kiss her.
He had said he would.
Not that she believed him.
After seeing them, he would return to Westgate Hall in time for a late supper with his guests. Of course, this assumed they were not already passed out in their drunken stupor.
Richard had returned to the parlor to join them. Was the young lord truly ready to shake off these bad habits? It would be nice to have another conversation with him about these ancient civilizations.
Melrose, as always, was at his post by the front door and frowning at him.
