Page 90 of The Moonstone Major
Still, she did not think he would so easily stray or ever do it so openly. It was a cruel thing to flaunt in her face, and he simply did not have it in him to ever be cruel to her. She held on to that thread to steady herself and stave off tears. “I trust Fionn as you trust Cormac. I’m sure there is an innocent explanation.”
“But—”
“No, Phoebe.” She walked toward the wagon, trying to remain calm. She was afraid to look at her sister, for she would see through her brittle façade and know her heart was breaking.
She did trust Fionn.
But why had he ignored her and chosen to dine with that woman?
She took a deep breath, not wanting to approach him blubbering like a baby and pathetically begging for answers. No, she would meet him head-on and not shed a tear.
In fact, she had worked herself into a state and was quite steaming mad by the time she reached the fort and asked to see him.
“Of course, Lady Chloe,” said the guard at the gate. “He’s at the construction site. I’ll have him summoned right away. Let me escort you to his office first.”
“Not necessary.” She stormed toward the hospital construction.
The young soldier called out to her, obviously surprised by her response and uncertain what to do. He left his post to chase after her. “Please, Lady Chloe! That site is no place for a lady. They are hauling beams and striking hammers…and most of the men have their shirts off while toiling in the heat.”
“Nonsense—take me there now or you shall have an angry reprimand from the Duke of Malvern.” She hated to toss Cain’s status around, especially since he would lock her in her bedchamber for a month if he ever found out she was traipsing across gigantic beams and ducking under scaffolds amid a group of shirtless men.
The worried soldier was now begging her to let him summon Fionn.
“Lieutenant Fletcher, what is going on?” Fionn growled, dropping down from one of the scaffolds. He was wearing his shirt, although it was pasted to his muscled torso and half undone. She noticed the sprinkle of dark hair across his chest and beads of sweat trickling down in a line from his neck into his magnificently broad chest.
He inhaled sharply when he noticed her standing behind the young lieutenant. “Blast, why did you not have her wait in my office?”
“I tried, sir. She wouldn’t listen.”
Fionn arched an eyebrow and cast her a wry smile. “All right, Fletcher. Go back to your post. I’ll escort the lady to my office.”
He picked up his jacket, but did not bother to don it before grabbing her by the elbow and towing her away from the site.
“Where are you taking me? Your office is in the opposite direction.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want us to be overheard by my men. Come with me.” He led her toward the harbor walk, no doubt to give them privacy as he berated her for barging in unannounced. Or was he about to deliver heartbreaking news? Had he realized he loved Lady Dowling and not her?
She stopped in her tracks, suddenly overcome by doubt. What if her worst fears were realized? Could she hold herself together long enough to maintain a semblance of pride?
He emitted another soft growl, took her by the hand, and led her down toward the beach.
“Stop growling at me and dragging me along. I am the one with reason to growl at you. Four days and not a word from you.”
He sighed and slowed his pace. “You know I’ve been busy trying to salvage the hospital.”
“But still found time to have supper with the lovely Lady Dowling. I deserve an explanation for that, don’t you think? Everyone is talking about it. Four days. No marriage license. And you being seen dining with the most beautiful woman in the village. Do you know how humiliating it is for me?”
His expression turned pained. “I didn’t dine with her. And you are far prettier than she will ever be.”
“Then you are the only man in Moonstone Landing who feels this way.” Chloe felt ready to cry. “You were seen with her. Everyone knows she is the village beauty.”
“Stop saying that. She is nothing compared to you.” They were halfway along the scenic walk that led down to the fort’s golden sand beach. He paused and turned to face her. “Yes, she was there at the Kestrel Inn when I stopped in for supper. But it wasn’t… At least, I didn’t count it as that.”
“Then what did you think was happening when you sat together for a cozy meal?” Chloe could not bear to look at him in this moment, so she shaded her eyes against the sun that now beat down upon the water and turned her gaze to the shimmering sea.
“I stopped by the Kestrel Inn to dine alone.Alone, Chloe. She came over to my table while I was ordering my meal, then sat and ordered her own supper brought over. I did not invite her, nor did I want her there. But she did not take the hint to go away, even though I was surly and very poor company. All right?”
“I don’t know. Let me think about it.”
