Page 87 of The Moonstone Major
“Assuming he is my father, which I doubt.”
A candlestick fell off one of the stacks of documents at just that moment, toppling off the table and hitting the floor with a clatter that startled them all.
“See,” Chloe said, “our ghost captain is getting irritated at your denial and telling you to stop being stubborn.”
Cain cleared his throat. “Your friend Ducky sensed there was more to your benefactor’s passing, and Mr. Barrow will get to the bottom of it now that we can offer him some guidance. It is little wonder the viscount’s family wanted you out of the house as soon as he passed. I would not be surprised if he left you a letter confirming much of what Chloe has put together. Selfish man, he wanted the title for himself while he lived but intended to have you learn the truth after he passed.”
“Leaving his other relatives to scramble for themselves,” Chloe added, “since they had treated you abominably all of their lives and now realized you would not lift a finger to help them. So they needed to find that letter and destroy it before you learned of their secret treachery.”
“Gad, Chloe. This is too absurd,” Fionn said.
Cain did not agree with him. “Your friend Ducky and Mr. Barrow will get on it. I’ll send word immediately.”
Chloe put a hand on Fionn’s arm to stop him when he began to pace again. “If it turns out you are Fiona’s son, then there is something else that belongs to you…Moonstone Cottage. You, as Brioc’s nephew, would have inherited it by rights. It did not belong to Brioc’s cousins, who sold this property to my Aunt Hen. No wonder you were so drawn to this place. Brioc wanted you here to find those papers, to know all this belonged to you.”
Fionn shook his head in a vehement denial. “Your aunt purchased it in good faith and paid fair value for the property. No court would overturn her acquisition of it, nor would I ever demand it.”
“Well, there is no need to overturn anything now, since we are to be married. A one-third share already belongs to me, and I’ll use my inheritance to acquire the other shares from my sisters.”
“Nonsense, Chloe,” Cain said. “Your sisters planned to give the cottage over to you as their wedding gift.”
“Stop! Both of you.” Fionn needed to get away from Moonstone Cottage right this instant. “I have to get back to the fort. Cain, please see Chloe safely home.”
Chloe regarded him, distraught. “When will I see you again?”
“I don’t know.” He made some excuse about the hospital construction and turned to leave, but Cain stood in his way.
The duke was a giant of a man and did not look too pleased with him at the moment, likely fearing he was going to do something stupid that would hurt Chloe.
Fionn wasn’t going to hurt her. He just needed to get out of here and take a breath before the walls fell in and crushed him.
“Come to see me once you are done inspecting the construction damage. We’ll go together to obtain the license for your marriage,” Cain said. “After all, I am Chloe’s guardian.”
“And you want to be sure I’ll marry her.”
Cain’s expression turned fierce. “I like you, Fionn. But make no mistake, if you break Chloe’s heart, I will come after you and kill you.”
“Oh, do stop, both of you! I don’t need either of you to behave like jungle animals fighting over a kill.” Chloe turned to Fionn. “I don’t need you to marry me out of duty. If you love me, then I’ll marry you. If you are already regretting your proposal, then we can end it here and now.”
She tipped her head up, too proud to admit he was breaking her heart by his behavior.
He was desperate to get away from the cottage, but not from her. “I do love you. Never a doubt.”
“Good, because I love you too. And whatever distress you are feeling, we’ll work through it together. I don’t need you to go off angry and brooding on your own. You’ve been doing this all of your life. But you are no longer alone. You now have me.”
She released a deep, shaky breath and continued. “I will stand by your side and love you through everything because webelongtogether. And if you dare deny it, I will toss punches and knock your teeth out. Don’t you dare push me aside.”
Fionn grinned. “Duly noted. Is there anything more you would like to say to me?”
“No, that’s about it.”
He kissed her on the nose. “I have something to say to you.”
“Besides that you love me?”
“I do love you, but I would like to make one point clear. Your sisters can give you their share of this cottage if they like, but it does not ever come to me. I want it stated in our betrothal contract that the cottage remains yours to do with as you wish.”
She frowned at him. “But—”
