Page 16 of The Moonstone Major
Fionn grinned. “Ah, I gather she is formidable and going to give you a hard time about it.”
“She will blister me thoroughly,” the viscount said with a wry smile. “But I am hoping she will take some pity on me when I tell her how it happened. Some local miscreant thinking to scare the upper-crust invaders from London.”
“In truth, this is a quiet village and not the sort of mischief the local boys get into. Not that I would rule it out. But is it possible you have an enemy? Someone you’ve angered in business, or perhaps in a more personal matter?”
Lord Claymore seemed surprised. “No, certainly not that I am aware.”
“What about your friends? Forgive me for asking, but who are the ladies in your company? Are you sure they have not left behind husbands or fathers who are not pleased to learn they are on holiday with you?”
“No, Lady Gemma and Lady Sarah are here with their brother, Lord Hollingsworth. He was the gentleman dressed in blue silk. The other is his cousin, Lord Danson. They were schoolmates of mine at Oxford. Where did you get your education, Major Brennan?”
“Nowhere you would recognize.”
Lord Claymore cleared his throat. “Yes, how stupid of me. But you are definitely educated, and your manner is surprisingly refined.”
Fionn shrugged. “I pick up things quickly.”
“Even so, one does not usually rise to the rank of major on their own merit. Nor does one get schooled in architecture without family backing. I am eager to hear more about this army hospital you are building.”
“Perhaps another time, my lord. I will be happy to show you around one afternoon this week. However, I came here today to interrogate you. But it seems I am the one being interrogated.”
The viscount laughed. “Sorry, you have piqued my curiosity. I cannot place you in a tidy box, and it puzzles me. I do not like to be puzzled. Nor will Hollingsworth’s sisters be pleased when I can give them no information about you. I saw the way they were eyeing you.”
“My lord, I have no intention of pursuing either one of them, so you need have no concerns on that score. I know my place, and it is not with either of them. But since we are discussing your friends, have they had any bad encounters recently? Perhaps offended someone here in Moonstone Landing?”
The man grinned. “You disapprove of their loose morals? I will not pretend the young ladies are fresh out of a convent, but they are not so bad.”
Fionn arched an eyebrow. “It is not my place to judge.”
“Still, you think all my friends are boorish.”
“Perhaps you think so as well, since you did not see fit to make introductions. Nor did they wish to be introduced. I gather you dragged them here and they are not enjoying our quieter society.”
“Major Brennan, let me ask you a question.”
“More interrogation? Go ahead,” Fionn said with a nod.
“What brought you to Moonstone Landing?”
He shrugged. “I am an architect for the army. I was tasked with finding a suitable location for the new hospital you claim to be eager to hear more about. That search led me to this part of Cornwall, since the area appeared inadequately served militarily and could do not only with enhancing its medical facilities but also expanding the barracks established here centuries ago. Moonstone Landing itself has a good harbor within easy distance of Plymouth and can easily take on any of the overflow of returning soldiers from that major port.”
“So you are here for the duration of the construction?”
Fionn nodded. “To oversee it as well as serve as commanding officer at Fort Arundel. I will stay on until the higher-ups decide to move me elsewhere.”
“How well do you know these townspeople?”
“Fairly well, since I have been back and forth here regularly over the course of the last three years. But my promotion to major and placement in charge of the fort is new. I only took over those responsibilities a month ago. This is a nice community, and that sort of malicious mischief rarely takes place. Which leads me back to my earlier question. Are you certain you have not offended anyone who might now have it in for you?”
“Other than our offending every resident in this town?” The viscount shook his head and gave a mirthless chuckle. “I know we have angered them by racing our carriages. But beyond this, I cannot think of anyone who would want to do me or any of my friends harm.”
“I’ll talk to Constable Angel. He was born and raised here, so he knows these villagers better than anyone. What will you expect him to do if it turns out the culprit is a child?”
The viscount cast him a wry smile. “I am not an ogre, Major Brennan. I do foolish things even as an adult, such as getting carried away with a new gift and racing it through town. But I was properly admonished for it yesterday and had no intention of defying the warning today. So it would be quite callous of me to hold a child to a higher standard.”
“I’m glad you see it this way, my lord.” Fionn rose to leave. “Please summon me if you think of something else that might be helpful to this investigation.”
“I will.” Lord Claymore rose along with him. “Brennan…would you be any relation to Viscount Brennan?”
