Page 47 of The Moonstone Major
“Cormac, what’s happened?” Chloe asked, showing every intention of meddling in his business.
“It is Fionn’s private business,” her brother-in-law said, waving her away.
“Why can I not hear it, too? Am I not his best friend? Indeed, I think I must be his first and oldest friend in Moonstone Landing.” She tipped her chin up and defied any of them to deny it, even the Duke of Malvern, who was waiting for them in the study as they walked in.
The duke decided to set down the law to her. “Go away, Chloe. This is not open for discussion.”
“That’s right—I am not discussing it with any of you. I am staying.”
Fionn raked a hand through his already windblown hair, wanting to laugh at her presumption, but also knowing she was right. He had never allowed anyone this close to him before and he trusted her to the depths of his soul. Nor had he ever kissed anyone with the ferocity of love he felt for her. “I have no objection to her remaining.”
“There.” She settled on one of the well-padded maroon leather chairs, pleased she had proven her point. “What is this about?”
The marquess sank into the large chair behind his desk. “You ought to tell him, Cain. This Bow Street Runner is your man.”
Fionn fixed his gaze on the parchment the duke was holding in his hands.
“All right.” The duke cleared his throat. “I sent word to my Bow Street investigator, Homer Barrow. Cormac and I wanted him to investigate Lord Claymore.”
Chloe sat up straight as a rod. “What has this to do with Fionn? Doesn’t this have more to do with me? You wanted to know what sort of man Claymore was on the chance I fell in love with him. Is this not so? You should have asked me, and I would have spared you the expense. I am not in love with him and will refuse his offer should he ever propose to me.”
Both of her brothers-in-law moaned.
“Must all you Killigrews be so headstrong?” Cormac said with a grunt.
Cain cast her a wry smile. “Well, we did not think of asking you, did we? No matter, it is done, and he seems to be the genuine article. A good man by all accounts. His finances are in good order and appear to be efficiently managed by him. He is a loving son to his mother, who is now the only surviving parent. Nor does he have any brothers and sisters, so he is feeling the pressure to find a wife and sire heirs.”
Chloe was not moved. “It won’t be with me.”
Cormac leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Phoebe said as much, but are you sure? He is a viscount, Chloe. Wealthy. A man of good character. Ladies also seem to find him handsome.”
She nodded. “Indeed, he seems quite cozy with Lady Sarah and Lady Gemma. What am I to think of a man who claims to court me and yet keeps those lady friends on the side? Not that I am accusing them of any immoral behavior.”
“But you are,” the duke said with another wry smile.
“Well, it can hardly be overlooked, can it? I have no proof, and it is none of my concern. Nor should it be any of yours. I am certain he will find himself a lovely young lady to marry, hopefully one who will love him for himself and not for his rank or fortune. I only hope it will not be either of those ladies. I do not like to speak ill of anyone, but…if he truly is the sort of man who will hold to his wedding vows, then I think marriage to either of them will not make him happy.”
Cain nodded. “Let’s hope he has the wisdom to see this for himself.”
“I agree,” Chloe said. “But it still concerns me that he has not dispatched those Hollingsworths back to London. Why would a man of solid good sense ever consider them his friends?”
Fionn exchanged glances with the other men.
Chloe noticed and frowned. “What?”
He wasn’t going to tell her that Claymore was probably thinking with his lower parts and not his brain. Bedding both Lady Gemma and Lady Sarah might be a pleasure he was not yet willing to give up. Sex did that to a man, turned his brain to pudding. The upper crust strolled about with their fine airs, but they were no different than any other creatures.
The man could be the handsomest, wealthiest, and most sought-after bachelor in England and Chloe would not be impressed. That Claymore was likely having intimate relations with one or both of his lady companions while courting her was a deathblow for him in her eyes.
Nor did it speak well of him in Fionn’s eyes, no matter what glowing attributes of the man were indicated in Mr. Barrow’s report. Even he, lowborn as he was, would never have kept up such an arrangement, never touched another woman while he courted Chloe.
He wasn’t even courting her and would not consider another woman.
She sighed to regain his attention. “And I still have no idea how Fionn is brought into this.”
“I am getting to that now.” The duke turned to Fionn. “While investigating Claymore, Mr. Barrow encountered your friend, Ducky.”
“Oh, blessed saints.” No good would have come from that encounter. “Did he try to pick Mr. Barrow’s pocket?”
