Page 64 of The Moonstone Major
“Nor did they.” He took the offered glass and drank its contents down quickly, for he had developed a thirst after a long, hot day. “I have been requested to ask if she might attend the next recital. In truth, all your friends were much admired, and my men would enjoy seeing them all.”
“But Lady Dowling dazzled. I know, we all saw the effect she had on your men. I will ask her. She is shy, and I don’t think she realizes quite how beautiful she is. Or perhaps she does and this is why she is still wearing her veiled hats whenever she goes out. I don’t think it is because she is grief-stricken. From what I’ve heard, the marriage was one of convenience, not an all-consuming passion.”
“Who told you it was not a love marriage? Moonstone Landing’s resident gossip, Mr. Matchett?”
She laughed and nodded.
“He’s probably wrong more than he is right. Well, enough about the dazzling widow. I really came by to tell you about a secret compartment I found connected to Captain Arundel’s bedchamber. It is not very big, not the size of a room. More of a secret cupboard.”
Her ears immediately perked. “How is it possible? Where is it located exactly?”
“Behind his bureau. I suppose no one ever moved any of his furniture after he died. The chamber looks untouched.”
“We purposely left it that way. None of us had the heart to change a thing about the room. How did you find this secret place? And was there anything hidden inside?”
“Yes, it had boxes of documents that I hope you will help me sort through. They are yours, of course, since you own the house. As for how I found this compartment, the answer is quite odd.”
She inhaled lightly. “Was it the ghost’s doing?”
“One might think so if one believed in such things. I had placed keys atop the bureau… I know I set them down there. Somehow, they wound up on the floor behind the bureau. I could not get to them by reaching behind it, so I moved the bureau aside.”
“That is confirmation enough for me. Our Moonstone Cottage ghosts must have led you to it, don’t you agree?” She cut a slice of ginger cake and handed it to him. “I’m sure they had a purpose.”
He cast her a wry smile. “Well, I’ll leave it to you to figure out what it is. Assuming they even exist or had any involvement whatsoever with this accidental discovery. I truly don’t know what to believe, except there was no way those keys jumped off the bureau on their own.”
“Fionn, this is so exciting. I would love to have a look at those papers. They must contain something important, or Captain Arundel would not have led you to them. May I start tomorrow?”
“Yes, if you wish. I’ll be heading to the fort shortly after sunrise and won’t return until evening. Bring the girls with you, if you like. Make a day of it.”
“Thank you, I will. I’ll pack up our beach attire and art supplies so we can break up the day if they begin to fidget. They are my charges for the summer, and I am doing my best to keep them entertained, but I doubt they will find searching through documents very much fun. I know I will need to distract them. It is so hard on them because they know their mother is ailing.”
He reached over and took her hand. “Call on me if ever you need my help, Chloe. I can only imagine the fear those poor, sweet girls are feeling.”
“I try my best to keep them hopeful, but it is harder to do as the days pass and we receive no good news.” She sighed and shook her head to dismiss the sad thought, but he knew it was not easy on her either. She ached for those girls and felt helpless to make things better. “Would you like another slice of cake?”
He’d devoured the first slice, not realizing how hungry he was. “Sure.”
She served him and then prepared a plate of game pie that looked quite fresh and must have been left over from their supper. “I suppose I’ve done it backwards, offered you the sweets before the meat.”
“It all ends up in the same place,” he said, patting his stomach. “By the way, Mr. Matchett told me another bit of gossip as he saddled Sophocles for me. It seems Lord Claymore is returning next week. He wrote to Thaddius Angel to reserve a suite of rooms.”
“I hadn’t heard.” She pursed her lips and frowned. “I do hope he isn’t bringing his friends along.”
“Our resident gossip did not know the details other than he was coming back.”
“I wonder why he would. I don’t think he’s found a property, and he’s already seen most of what is available around here.”
Fionn sighed. “I should think the reason is obvious. He’s coming back for you.”
“I hope not. I haven’t changed my mind. I’m afraid my heart is still yours, even if you are reluctant ever to have me.”
“You know my reason for hesitating. I suppose you received no word from Mr. Barrow or Ducky.”
“No, nothing yet.”
He set aside his plate and leaned over to take both her hands in his. “I have no idea what I said that night. I’m sure I blurted something foolish as I was slobbering over you.”
“You needn’t panic. Every word was unintelligible. I think you were trying to recite a Shakespearean sonnet to my beauty.”
