Page 33 of The Moonstone Major
Her gown was simple, a pretty confection of palest rose, and she wore no jewelry other than a small heart necklace with a pearl at its center that rested becomingly at her throat. It drew one’s eye to the delicate curve of her neck and the swell of her bosom.
Since the day was hot and his office particularly stifling, a small line of perspiration now trailed down Chloe’s neck and into her bosom. He resisted the urge to lick it off her with his tongue.
Lord, his gaze had to stop straying there.
Of course, it could not.
Having spent much of his life surviving on the streets, there was a rougher part of him that urged him to take what he wanted…and he surely wanted Chloe.
But this was also the surest way to lose her.
Not that it should matter to him, since he had resolved not to marry her.
Blast.
He didn’t know what he wanted.
He tucked her designs in his pouch along with some of his work, and then slung it over his shoulder. “Shall we go?”
She nodded.
“Where is Lord Claymore this afternoon?” he asked as they walked out of the fort and onto the high street.
“Looking at yet another property with his friends. I think he is searching for something quite specific. Not merely the merits of the property, but something that will capture his heart. I suppose we are all seeking something like this in life. Often it is a thing we do not realize we need until we’ve found it.” She shrugged and shook her head. “They ought to be back soon and will be joining us for supper.”
“I see.”
“Now you are regretting your decision to join us. Don’t you dare back out, Fionn. Please come as a personal favor to me. I would love to hear more about your progress on the hospital. Truly, it is infinitely more interesting than listening to gossip about people I don’t know and feigning shock at their scandals. Lord Claymore will be interested in what you have to say. I cannot vouch for his friends, however.”
“They are a pretty useless lot.”
She nodded. “The ladies talk about you all the time.”
“In rather crude terms, I expect.” He arched an eyebrow. “Did they encourage you to drop in on me unannounced?”
“No, that was my own clever idea,” she said, tossing him a wry grin. “It never occurred to me that… Well, I did not imagine you worked without a shirt on. I suppose I got more of you than I bargained for.” She blushed. “I am truly sorry.”
“Chloe, my only concern is for you. I don’t want to see your reputation tarnished.”
“Do you think it is? I doubt anyone but you saw me.”
“You’ll be fine this time. Just don’t tell anyone about it, all right?”
“Of course.” She looked up at him as they approached the tearoom. “I will not breathe a word. But seeing you shirtless is easily the most exciting thing ever to happen to me.”
“Other than almost being squashed beneath Lord Claymore’s phaeton wheels?”
“That was a bit too much excitement for me, but I meant the most exciting thing in a good way.”
“Good?”
“Oh,” she said with a light groan. “I suppose it makes me a bit of a wanton. Do you mind terribly that I ogled you?”
He laughed. “No, I don’t suppose I do. But surely your life has not been all that dull. How can it be now that you have a viscount courting you?”
She shook her head. “I’ve told you, he is not for me. I do like him, for he is a gentleman and intelligent. But I have no feelings for him in a romantic way. Nor do I think he has them for me. He likes me very much, but I do not think I stir his passions.”
Fionn tried not to chuckle again. “Chloe, do you even know what that means?”
