Page 62 of The Moonstone Major
His heart began to pound as he watched her absently staring out the window to where the girls were now playing with some of the local children in the village green across the road. She had a cup of tea in front of her and absently took a sip of it.
She was so lost in her thoughts, she was unaware he had walked in.
He nodded to Mrs. Halsey’s daughter, who was working behind the bakery counter, and then continued toward Chloe, drawing out a chair and taking a seat beside her.
Her eyes glittered and her smile beamed the moment she realized who had been so bold as to join her at the table without invitation. “Fionn. I’m so glad you’re home. When did you get back?”
“Late last night.” His own lips twitched upward at the corners in a smile, and he could not seem to stop smiling.
This is what it means to be loved.
He surely loved Chloe in return.
Why was he allowing his stupid pride to stand in the way of their happiness?
In the same moment he had this thought, he also recalled the reason. He could never afford to buy her the beautiful gowns or fine jewels she always wore. Not that she walked about like a jeweler’s display. Quite the opposite—she never wore anything ostentatious. Simple earrings and a heart locket usually, and this was all the jewelry she had on now.
Her gowns were never frilly or overly adorned, either. But they were always of the finest materials. Whether silk, muslin, or wool, the fabrics were top quality, as were the lace trims on most of them.
He set aside thoughts of Chloe because they would start to whirl around and around in his head, solving nothing and making him feel like a dog chasing his own tail.
“How was Plymouth?” she asked.
“All went well. General Hayward appeared quite pleased with the progress and signed off on the next round of purchases.” He motioned to Mrs. Halsey’s daughter to bring him a cup of tea, which she promptly did and asked if he would like anything else. “The tea is all, thank you.”
“Next round?” Chloe asked, pursing her lips as she continued their conversation. “Does the army not fund the entire project all at once?”
“No. The protocol is to submit our reports at every phase. They pretend to understand what those reports say. Then we hold our breath until they sign off and give us the funding for the next step.”
“What would happen if they did not sign off?”
He took a sip of his tea and then set his cup down. “Moonstone Landing would be sitting with an unsightly, half-built hospital, and some pretty broken-up roads.”
“Good heavens, that is awful.”
“I worked hard to make certain all was in perfect order before we dug into the soil with the first shovel to commence work.”
“I have no doubt. No wonder you were so adamant about not changing a single brick. You were not jesting when you said it could undermine the entire project.”
“In truth, these projects usually go smoothly when one understands the protocol and expectations.”
“As you do. You are awfully clever, you know.”
“Hardly,” he said with a grin. “I would call myself methodical. By the way, I found something at the cottage that I think will interest you.”
“Truly? What is it?”
He noticed the girls now running back and did not want to say too much in front of them. Not that the trove of documents was a secret, but it was no one’s business yet. They might have been hidden in that secret space for a reason. “I’ll stop by tonight and tell you more. Will you be up to visitors?”
She nodded. “For you? Always. I have no plans.”
“Good.”
The girls were excited to see him again and greeted him warmly. Following on their heels was Lady Dowling, the woman who had managed to charm his entire regiment. She was wearing her usual veiled hat, so he did not see much of her face. However, he took notice of her body, which was quite voluptuous.
He sensed she was studying him behind her veil.
Well, he was used to women eyeing him just as she was likely used to men eyeing her. He would mention her to Chloe tonight, since he had promised his men to ask about her and would likely be hounded until he gave them an answer.
