Page 63 of The Moonstone Major
“See you tonight, Chloe.” He left the tea shop and strode back to the fort.
By early evening, he had caught up on the most pressing items requiring his attention. The rest of it could wait until tomorrow. He stretched his large frame to relax his taut muscles, then rose and made his way to the Kestrel Inn stables, which now also housed the army horses, since their own stables were still being used to store the building supplies.
The ostler was an amiable but chatty fellow who loved to gossip. Fionn could tell by the man’s look that he had a juicy tidbit to report. “Major Brennan, have you heard? Lord Claymore’s coming back here next week.”
A pang of irritation tore through him at the mention of the viscount. Not that he was jealous, but…why was the viscount coming back to Moonstone Landing? It had to be for Chloe.
“Any reason given for his return?”
“Thaddius Angel was the one what got the letter reserving his rooms, so better ask him. But my guess is because of the pretty Killigrew lass, Lady Chloe. Anyone could see he was taken with her last time he was here. And then everyone thought he had proposed and she had accepted because of that kiss.”
Fionn tensed, unhappy about the reminder. “I understand it was merely a polite kiss on the cheek.”
“A man like that don’t feel polite over a beautiful girl like her.” The ostler continued to chatter as he saddled Sophocles. “Mrs. Halsey thought for sure you were going to propose to her first, but I suppose the duke and the marquess were having none of that. Rank is rank and blood is blood, and there’s no getting around it.”
He paused to await a response from Fionn that he was not about to give. “Good evening, Mr. Matchett. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Right, Major Brennan.”
Fionn gave Sophocles his lead while he lost himself in thoughts of Chloe. What he should do was propose to her and then spend the last of his inheritance on a special license in order to marry her before the week was out.
But it felt wrong, as though he would be cheating her out of a choice. He never wanted to trick her or push her into something she might regret soon after.
Chloe was at the entry, standing beside Melrose, when he rode up to Westgate Hall. “I was afraid you might get too caught up in your work and not stop by. I’m so glad you did. Tell me all about Plymouth and your latest discovery.”
She led him into the summer parlor, which was cozier than the main parlor where the marquess and marchioness entertained visitors in elegant style. She motioned for him to take a seat. The chairs in this room were designed for comfort rather than formality. He sank into the soft cushions with pleasure.
“Would you care for a drink?” she asked, ever the considerate hostess.
“Cider or lemonade if you have it. I’m not about to touch brandy for a while yet.”
“I cannot imagine why.” She laughed lightly. “I won’t soon forget that night.”
He ran a hand along the nape of his neck. “And I am still struggling to remember half of the stupid things I said or did.”
“They weren’t stupid. For the first time, you allowed me a glimpse of your honest feelings. You are always so composed and in full command of yourself. I never know what you are truly thinking or feeling. It was nice to see the unguarded part of you for once.”
“Right, once and never again.”
“Well, I hope that is not so. Have you eaten yet? I assume you have not.”
“I’m sure Mrs. Hawke will have left something for me in the kitchen.”
“Have something here now. There’s always plenty at our table.” She rang for Melrose and asked him to bring cider and light refreshments. Then she turned back to him and settled in the chair beside his. “Cormac and Phoebe will be down shortly. They are just tucking their children into bed. Ella and Imogen as well. They’ve had a busy day.”
“Any news on their mother?”
“She’s holding steady last we heard, so I suppose that is something. The girls are worried, of course. We all are, because it does not seem there has been any improvement.”
“I’ll keep her in my thoughts.”
Melrose returned with a cart laden with food and pitchers of cider and lemonade. He knew Chloe thought of him as special and made the extra effort to entertain him in style, but this was exactly what he did not want. It only served as a reminder he could never maintain a household at this level.
But this elegance and bounty was all Chloe knew. She thought it was normal for all families to have this, which it was for her.
“I heard from my men that your last recital was a great success.”
She poured him a glass of cider and smiled. “I think Lady Dowling was the success. I could have been blowing a trumpet straight in their ears and your men would not have noticed me. I had no idea she was so pretty beneath that veil.”
