Page 19 of The Moonstone Major
He must have noticed she was getting upset, so he quickly changed the topic. “Tell me, what have you planned with Ella and Imogen this summer? They’ve grown so much in the few years since I met them.”
She managed a small smile, but remained overset by his words. “I have grown quite a bit as well—haven’t you noticed?”
“Every man with breath in him has noticed how lovely you have turned out. The little Killigrew caterpillar has turned into a beautiful butterfly.”
She blushed.
In truth, she was not used to being flattered and did not want to hear false words of praise, especially from him. Although being called a caterpillar was hardly gushing praise. Perhaps she was now pretty as a butterfly, but he did not seem to be taken with her at all.
He was concerned for her. Protective of her.
But also…afraid of her?
Dear heaven, he confused her.
She was saved from a response when Melrose appeared. “Lady Chloe, you have a gentleman caller.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she tried to stifle a giggle, but it came out in an unladylike snort. “A gentleman? Calling on me? Who would… Oh, is it Lord Claymore come with hat in hand to apologize?”
“Yes,” the stoic butler said.
She glanced at Fionn, uncertain what to do, since neither Cormac nor Phoebe were here. It was one thing for Fionn to pay a call on her, for the family considered him a friend. But this viscount?
“It is all right, Chloe,” he said, reaching for her hand to give it a light squeeze. “I am here and will make certain he behaves.”
She nodded. “Show him out here, Melrose.”
Fionn rose to bring over another chair and place it on the other side of her.
She cast him a wicked grin. “No, leave it in the sun. I don’t want to make him too comfortable.”
“He is a viscount. He’ll kick me out of my shady spot and leave me to swelter in the sun.” He placed the spare chair next to hers, chuckling and obviously amused by her suggestion. She supposed it did not matter, since it meant Fionn would remain beside her, too.
Fionn was already standing to greet the viscount when he strode onto the terrace. “My lord.”
“Good to see you again, Major Brennan.” Lord Claymore turned to Chloe, studying her as she remained seated in her chair. “And by the unhappy state of your elevated foot, I gather you must be Lady Chloe?”
Chloe held out her hand to him.
He was not a bad-looking man, but she was not quite ready to forgive him for racing his phaeton about the village. “Yes, I would like to say it is a pleasure to meet you, but considering the circumstances…”
“Quite understandable. I hope in time your opinion of me will improve and we shall become good friends. It is important to me, since I am planning on building a house for myself in the area.”
“You are?” This obviously surprised Fionn as well, for his lips were pinched and those soul-piercing eyes of his were no longer softly gleaming but hard and angry. Cold, gray steel. She would not like to be on the receiving end of that look.
The viscount nodded, his attention now solely on her. “This village is one of England’s hidden gems…as are you, if you will forgive my boldness. I was enchanted by the place the moment I arrived.”
“Your friends do not seem nearly as enamored of Moonstone Landing as you are,” Fionn intoned.
The viscount shrugged. “They enjoy livelier society and are eager to return to Bath or Brighton.”
“As most people would,” Chloe said. “We move at a much slower pace here. Our parties and our way of life are far more casual. Your set would call us dull. Have you settled on a property yet?”
“No, I have not started looking. But I have an appointment scheduled with your local land agent for tomorrow. Of course, I hope he has a decent carriage to drive me from place to place, or I shall have to hire a conveyance for the day, since my lovely phaeton is now smashed to pieces.”
Chloe covered her mouth with her hand and pretended to cough over her laughter. “Yes, what a shame.”
He had the good grace to take full blame for the loss. “I think you are dancing a jig in your head and quietly laughing at my abject misery, Lady Chloe. If it will make you feel any better, I shall have a blistering set-down from my own mother as well when she learns of the incident. Yes, even though I am a grown man and a viscount, that dowager dragon shall never allow me to get too full of myself.”
