Page 31 of The Moonstone Major
He easily scaled the rocks and returned to his cottage.
He had become quite adept at scaling walls and leaping across rooftops in his younger days. Perhaps he was no longer quite as agile. But what he lacked in agility because of his damaged leg, he easily made up for in strength.
His adjutants had finished moving in the last of his work materials and awaited their next instructions. “Give me a moment and we’ll ride back into town.” He rolled up one of the maps that had been spread on the long table that now dominated the study. “I’ll need this to make certain the excavation for the foundation is properly staked out.”
He returned to the room that was now his bedchamber, noting the portrait of Captain Arundel that remained on the wall. Indeed, Chloe and her sisters had left this bedchamber as a sort of shrine to the man, for none of his furniture had been touched, even though two of the sisters had occupied the bedchamber themselves. He liked that it had been left with a masculine feel.
He had spent most of his life sleeping on the streets wherever he could find shelter. Then a few years of luxury beyond his wildest imaginings when taken in by his benefactor. But the streets had never left his soul. His bedchamber at his benefactor’s house had a large, canopied bed, but he often chose to sleep on the carpeted floor beside it.
No doubt the maids had reported this behavior, but Fionn hadn’t cared. He did not like sleeping on fine sheets and huddling under a silk counterpane.
But here, this chamber—there was something quite practical about it. Yes, the bed was large and had its canopy, as well. But it was just a solid bed with cotton sheets and a sturdy blanket. No one would criticize him if he chose to sleep in it or on the floor…or on the balcony on warmest nights.
He stared at the portrait of the sea captain. “Please don’t chase me out. I need to be here.”
Although he could not imagine why.
He was not going to court Chloe, no matter how deeply she was lodged in his heart.
This was as close as he dared get to her, residing in a house she owned and had once lived in. Later tonight he would probably do something stupid, like walk into the room she had occupied and inhale deeply in the hope of catching her scent.
It was in moments like this he felt so empty inside.
He was nothing more than a cipher, a puzzle never to be solved.
Who was he?
Who were his parents?
Were either of them still alive?
Why did they abandon him?
Chapter Seven
As the weekspassed, Fionn fell into a comfortable routine, rising early and heading to the hospital construction site at break of day because he wanted to get as much building done as possible before the summer heat exhausted his men and they lost their concentration. The foundation had now been poured and the building was starting to take shape.
This day was unusually hot as it wore on, so he and his men took off their shirts as they continued to toil under the heat of the blazing sun. The wind had died down and the sun now beat down on them with unrelenting force.
Despite the discomforts, the work was progressing smoothly.
Fionn was pleased, for they remained on schedule and were almost done putting up the outer walls.
“That’s the last brick, Major Brennan,” Sergeant Ames said, climbing down from the scaffold. “I don’t think there’s anything more to be done today.”
“It’s a good stopping point. We’ll start fresh in the morning. Take the men off to the beach.” Fionn grabbed his shirt and slung it over his shoulder, preparing to walk back to his office. He intended to return to Moonstone Cottage and swim there before having his supper and reviewing the schematic diagrams for tomorrow’s scheduled work.
“Won’t you be joining us?” the sergeant called to him.
“Not today. I’m heading back ho—” Dear heaven, he’d almost called Moonstone Cottage his home. Well, it certainly felt like home to him. “Er, heading back to the cottage. Summon me if anything urgent comes up.”
“Yes, Major Brennan.” The sergeant saluted Fionn and then turned to bark the orders every soldier had been waiting for. “Right, you scurvy knaves. We’re off to the beach.”
A cheer went up, and the men formed their columns as they marched off.
Fionn sauntered back to his office to pack up the architectural drawings used for today’s work. He would need to review them as well in preparation for tomorrow’s work. But as he entered, he realized someone was in his office.
He glanced around, wondering where his adjutant had gone off to and irritated the young soldier was nowhere in sight. “Blast it, Chloe. What are you doing here? Who let you in?”
