Page 52 of The Moonstone Major
“Do you?”
He chuckled. “Sometimes I do. They are out of place here.”
“Why don’t they leave?”
“Because I remain here.”
“Why doyouremain here?”
“At this point, I think because of you. I’ve seen all the properties to be had in and around Moonstone Landing, and none of them have leaped out at me. But you hold me here in the hope something more might develop out of our acquaintance.”
“Lord Claymore, I will only marry for love. By this I mean a true and committed marriage. Do you see my sisters and their husbands?”
He followed her gaze. Hen was chatting with the vicar, and Cain stood beside her with several officers from the regiment. But Cain took a moment to look at Hen, and his entire face transformed.
“Do you see the way he looked at her just now?”
Claymore nodded.
She turned to Cormac and Phoebe and pointed them out with a bob of her head. Phoebe had just finished helping Mrs. Halsey set out more orgeat punch and cakes, and was now weaving her way through the crowd to her husband’s side.
That same transformation occurred as Cormac watched her approach him.
“My lord, did you see that, too?”
“Yes.”
“What I have not seen is you looking at me this way. Forgive my impertinence, but if you want my opinion…which I shall give whether you do or not,” she said with a laugh. “What you are looking for is not to be found in a quaint village or in a property but in the young lady who will steal your heart. The one who will have you staring at her the way my brothers-in-law look at their wives. But that young lady is not me.”
Their waltz was coming to an end, and Chloe was pleased by the way it had turned out. “Hold out for true love,” she urged. “You see it exists and how wonderful it can be.”
He shocked everyone by giving her a heartfelt kiss on the cheek once the dance ended. “You are indeed someone special.”
She was unprepared for the gesture, although it came as more of a surprise than a shock. It was a very sincere and gentle kiss. She did not consider it improper at all. It might have gone unnoticed had he not been one of England’s most eligible bachelors. Now everyone in attendance thought this meant a betrothal announcement was imminent.
Which it decidedly was not.
Lord Claymore escorted her back to her sisters and then strode across the room to rejoin his companions. Lord Danson’s nose was a bulbous, red thing that served as a beacon should anyone wish to find him…assuming the dolt remained standing. The slightest breeze would knock him over, for he was already deeply in his cups and weaving on his feet.
Lord Hollingsworth was ogling a young widow who had recently moved to Moonstone Landing by the name of Lady Dowling, but the lady in question did not seem to be interested in what he was offering.
Lady Gemma and Lady Sarah had been standing near their brother, but they were now making their way out of the hall…as were two of Fionn’s captains.
She had been distracted watching these assignations unfold and gave a cry of surprise when her sisters each grabbed an arm and began tugging her in opposite directions. Phoebe won out because she had always been the most determined of the three of them. “Did he just propose to you?”
“No.”
“Then why did he kiss you?”
“I gave him some sage advice, and he was most appreciative. It was a farewell kiss, if you must know.”
Hen now gripped her elbow as she studied her. “Then he is not going to marry you?”
“No. Besides, you already know I was not going to accept him even if he had proposed.”
Phoebe shook her head. “And you are quite happy about it?”
“Yes. It is a weight off my shoulders. I do not love him.”
