Page 30 of The Moonstone Major
“Nor angry with yourself. I did not think it would be this hard. It isn’t really, only that these rocks are now so wet.”
“And your ankle is not quite as healed as you pretend it is.”
She merely grumbled in response.
He held on to her the rest of the way down and then released her to drop onto the sand. He held out his arms to assist her with her last jump. She lost her footing again and fell atop him.
“Blast it, Chloe.” Fortunately, he was prepared for this and caught her…awkwardly.
His leg gave out, and he fell back harmlessly onto the soft sand. She landed atop him, somehow facing him.
Once again, he felt the soft give of her breasts against his chest.
Holy Mother.
“We must stop meeting like this,” she teased, for they had been in this exact position after he’d rescued her from the runaway phaeton.
“I should have walked you the long way around and avoided the beach altogether.”
“Nonsense, it would have added almost an hour there and back. You make for a lovely cushion, Fionn.”
“Glad to be of service,” he said dryly, and nudged her off him, for they were far too comfortable holding on to each other. Another moment, and he would kiss her.
He now had sand on his uniform and some in his hair. He quickly shook as much of it off him as he could.
She stood there looking as lovely as a water sprite with her windblown hair and dazzling smile. Some of the pins had fallen out of her hair, and strands of her lush mane were now tumbling over her shoulders and tousled by the wind.
After a moment, she realized her gown was still tucked into her belt and hastily lowered it to cover her legs.
He would not soon forget the sight of her lovely limbs or the feel of her body against his.
His heart was still in a rampant roar, and he was going to have improper dreams about her tonight.
He shook out of the thought. “Can you make it the rest of the way back to the house on your own?”
She nodded. “The more important question is whether you can make it safely back to Moonstone Cottage over those rocks? You can borrow one of our horses and ride back.”
“Rocks will do for me.” He turned away to climb back up them.
“Fionn, wait.” She had started toward the beach stairs leading up to Westgate Hall but now hurried back to his side. “Will you let us do anything to help your soldiers?”
“With the hospital? Let me think about it, Chloe. I won’t dismiss your offer, but I have to get the foundation excavated and footings poured first.”
“All right.” She nodded. “I understand. Will you join us for supper tonight?”
“I don’t think so. Too much work to be done today.”
She nibbled her lip. “Then tomorrow, perhaps. Our offer is always open to you. Join us whenever you wish.”
“Thank you. I will keep it in mind.”
“Please do. You are always welcome.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek, blushed profusely, then scampered across the beach and up the wooden stairs.
He watched until she disappeared from view.
Lord, he loved her innocence. She thought she was being quite brazen by giving him that peck on the cheek.
It should not have affected him, but of course it did.
