Page 21 of The Moonstone Major
She glared at him. “You have not started off very well, Lord Claymore. If you wish for my opinion, you have a lot of ground to make up before you are even back to square one in my regard.”
He cast her a wry smile. “My mother will like you immensely.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want two dragons in your household?”
“Yes, Lady Chloe…especially if one of them is you.” He held up his hands again. “Do not blister me for the comment. I know quality when I see it, and I am not going to pretend you are just like all the other eager debutantes hunting for a title when you are obviously someone special.”
“All you have seen of me so far is my sprained foot.” She glowered at him. “I do not want to hear another word about this from you.”
Fortunately, Cormac and Phoebe returned from the beach to relieve her of the chore of entertaining the viscount. He was not a horrible man by any means, but he was unacceptably rash in deciding to court her and far too glib about it.
Besides, how could he be interested in her when she was bordering on rude to him?
He certainly deserved a set-down.
That he was taking it like a gentleman also made her uncomfortable. She did not want him around, even if on paper he seemed an excellent catch.
Perhaps what upset her most was Fionn’s taking the viscount’s courtship declaration in stride.
Why was he not in a blinding, jealous rage?
Chapter Five
Fionn could notsee straight for the fire blazing behind his eyes.
Lord Claymore intended to court Chloe.
He knew someone would come along to claim this beautiful girl, but he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon or that the man would be so clearly a good fit for her. Of course, the viscount had leaped a little too quickly in declaring his intention to court Chloe. But as he’d just said, he had been in search of a wife for several years now. It was not all that shocking the viscount should know what he wanted the moment he spotted Chloe.
Why was Chloe so angry? Claymore was no prideful fool. If anything, he was a wealthy lord who seemed the sort to give her a real love marriage.
As for Fionn, he wanted to rip the man apart with his bare hands.
The thought of someone else touching Chloe.
Holding Chloe.
It was all he could do to keep his heart from tearing to pieces before her very eyes.
“Your family is back and I am needed at the barracks,” he said, his body in a hot roil. “You look better, Chloe.”
“Must you go?” She took hold of his hand.
He eased out of her grasp. “Yes, you know I have no place here.”
They spoke quietly, having a moment to do so now that the viscount had been introduced to Cormac and Phoebe and was busy conversing with them. Cormac’s brother and his wife also came up from the beach with their two girls, and all of them now surrounded the viscount.
But Chloe’s attention remained on Fionn. “Youalwayshave a place with us. Do you think that man will ever hold a candle to you?”
The comment was ridiculous and made him laugh, for it was so like Chloe to think with her heart and never her head.
He truly loved that kind heart of hers. How could he fault the viscount for wanting to marry her?
Did he not wish to do the same?
“Goodbye, Chloe.” Oh, how he ached to kiss her, to touch his lips to her soft cheek and have the right to do this every day of his life.
He had to leave before this sweet girl burst into tears over him. When he turned once more to go, she grabbed his hand again. “You owe me a waltz. Do not forget your promise.”
