Page 26 of The Moonstone Major
In fact, he knew everything about Claymore’s daily movements. Everyone in the village, from Mrs. Halsey to Thaddius Angel to Mr. Bedwell, and a host of others, deemed it their mission in life to report the man’s slightest sneeze to him.
“Are you going to let the viscount steal our Lady Chloe from you?” Mrs. Halsey had admonished him only yesterday while he was in the tea shop for a slice of her apricot pie.
Why did everyone believe he was in competition for Chloe’s heart?
He wasn’t. He could never be.
What was she doing here at Moonstone Cottage?
He stared at her, his body on fire as he took in her appearance. She stood by the bedchamber’s small balcony, drenched in a circle of light, as though a flame-haired angel descended from heaven.
Her gown was of plain muslin and her hair was drawn back in a simple bun at the nape of her slender neck. However, there was no mistaking her elegance.
“I’m truly sorry, Fionn. I have no business being here. I thought it would be harmless…and I did not expect you back so soon.”
He had just returned from a quick trip into town and brought two of his adjutants along with him. Those men were now downstairs preparing the final touches to the study, which was to be used by him as an architect’s workroom.
It was still early morning, far too early for someone as genteel as Chloe to be up and about. He had not expected to find her in his bedchamber, looking so lost and forlorn as she gazed out across the shimmering waters of the cove.
Well, it was really the ghostly sea captain’s bedchamber, and everyone still referred to it as that.
She cast him a hesitant smile and turned to leave. “I had better go. It was nice to see you, Fionn. Even if only for this brief moment.”
“I would allow you to stay for as long as you wished, but my men are downstairs and it would hardly look proper.” His eyebrow shot up to emphasize his concern.
Not for his sake, but for hers. To be caught alone with a gentleman in his bedchamber would ruin her reputation. He could never allow that to happen, especially now that she was being seriously courted by Lord Claymore. The man had been true to his declaration, remaining in Moonstone Landing to search for a suitable property and at the same time pursue Chloe.
Unfortunately, his friends had decided to remain with him. Fionn was not thrilled about that. He did not want Chloe getting too friendly with that lot, for the ladies—and he used the term loosely—had few morals and would be a bad influence.
“I know. It is quite improper.” A light pink blush stained her cheeks. “I meant no harm. But this place calls to me as much as it calls to you. I thought you were gone for the day…and I only wanted to take a quick look around now that I am on my feet again.”
“Then do so,” he said, taking light hold of her hand. “It is not fair of me to rush you out. Stay as long as you need. You have as much right to be here as I do. More right, since you own the place. But what are you doing in this bedchamber particularly?”
She cast him a wry smile. “I wanted to have a final look at what I hope will eventually be my bedchamber. I long for it to be mine. But I can see you have already moved in, and it will be yours for the coming year. I meant to have a final walk through some days ago, but…” She glanced at her now-healed ankle. “Circumstances prevented it.”
They stood together in silence, he still holding her hand because he simply could not let go of her.
She sighed and continued. “I have always thought this to be the most beautiful room in the cottage. The house was built for Captain Arundel, to his detailed specifications. Perhaps he had some architectural training as well?”
Fionn arched an eyebrow. “Any similarity between him and me is pure coincidence.”
“I don’t know. You were quite heroic the other day. And Captain Arundel is the village’s very own renowned hero. Brioc Taran Arundel is his full name.” She emitted a soft breath. “I came here to ask Brioc not to harm you.”
Fionn laughed. “He’s a ghost. Hardly likely to do me harm.”
“Do not dismiss him or you will anger him,” Chloe warned, but she was smiling, so he doubted there was much to fear. She had told him the story about the captain who had become a local legend after saving the children of Moonstone Landing from a shipwreck during one of the most violent storms the quaint village had ever seen.
He shrugged. “I am not afraid of ghosts.”
Starvation.
Imprisonment.
Freezing to death.
Those had been his childhood worries. Ghosts were about as frightening to him as a picnic in the park.
She laughed. “That is because you have never encountered one. But I’m sure you will meet Captain Arundel and my Aunt Hen soon. They are inseparable, you know.”
