Page 20 of The Moonstone Major
He said it with a gleam of amusement, so she suspected he had a good relationship with his mother. That was a point in his favor. The woman really could not be all that much of a dragon because he spoke of her with obvious affection. Likely, she had a hearty spirit and a sensible head on her shoulders.
That his mother was not a featherbrain was another point in his favor.
But Chloe was not going to rush to judgment. She had only just met this viscount and meant to take her time assessing him.
Still, he was nice looking.
He had dark blond hair and intelligent blue eyes. Also, he appeared to have a sense of humor. But he needed a little more admonishment before she was ready to forgive him. “We look out for each other here in Moonstone Landing. This is why your tearing up our roads was not appreciated.”
“I shall endeavor to make amends to the townspeople.”
“And will your friends do the same?”
He arched an eyebrow. “They are not children and will do as they wish. In all likelihood, they will leave here by the end of the week.”
“And take you along with them?”
“No, Lady Chloe. I will not be following them, since I am serious about my plans to settle here. I hope to stay through the summer.”
“Ah, yes. Your house search.”
“It is not merely a house search. My reasons are a bit too complicated to discuss here and now, but I hope you understand my plans are now meant to include you.”
It took her a moment for the import of his comment to sink in. “Me? What do you want with me beyond apologizing profusely for almost killing me?”
“I should think it is obvious. Yes, a little more groveling may be warranted on my part, but now that I have seen you up close…are you surprised I shall be asking your brothers-in-law for permission to seek a closer acquaintance? Is anyone currently courting you?”
She knocked over the bag of ice on her ankle as she attempted to leap to her feet, and immediately yelped as a blinding pain shot up her leg. “Save yourself the bother of asking for their permission. You may ask me directly, and I shall refuse you. How dare you make such a bold comment?”
Was the man demented? Courtship? They had hardly been in each other’s company more than a few minutes.
Fionn’s arms immediately went around her as she was about to topple. “Chloe!”
He was blazing mad, probably at her because she was lambasting the viscount.
Obviously, he was not upset by the viscount’s glib remarks, since he wanted nothing to do with her in a romantic way.
This upset her all the more.
“Sit down,” Fionn said in a gentler tone.
“Did you hear what he said to me? If you do not let me punch him, then will you?” She curled her hands into fists and glared at the viscount.
“I am not going to hit him, nor are you, so unclench your fists and calm down. Why are you surprised he is infatuated with you? Did I not tell you this would happen once you were introduced into Society?”
“But I am not in London yet.”
“Well, it appears London has come to you.” But then he rounded on the viscount. “You have no right to jest with Lady Chloe on such a serious matter. She is not here for your amusement. I assure you that if you ever hurt her, you will be answering to me.”
The viscount was not quite as big as Fionn, nor was he as muscled, but he was no fragile lily either. “Whom I choose to court is none of your business, Major Brennan.”
“It is my business if we are speaking of Lady Chloe. You will find Malvern and Burness equally as adamant about this. Had Burness been present, he would not have been as polite in warning you. Indeed, you would have been picking your teeth off the floor. He may only have one arm, but his punch still packs a wallop.”
Lord Claymore held up his hands in a sign of surrender. “Seems the rules of engagement are quite different here than in London. Any other debutante would have had her claws dug into me so fast and deep, I would have bled to death trying to disengage them.”
“Lady Chloe does not have claws. She has a good and caring heart, so you had better tread carefully.”
“So be it.” He turned to Chloe. “I shall bide my time and allow you to get to know me better before I declare for you again. But make no mistake, my intentions are honorable. You will come to know I do not jest on a matter as important as finding myself a suitable wife.”
