Page 89 of The Moonstone Major
“We are here to call upon Lady Chloe,” Hen said, craning her head to peer into the dining room. “There you are, Chloe. Don’t bother to hide from us. We see you clearly. Oh, Mrs. Hawke, do not bother with refreshments—we won’t be staying long.”
Mrs. Hawke bobbed a curtsy and bustled into her kitchen domain.
Chloe said nothing as Hen headed straight toward her and took a seat at the head of the dining table. Phoebe and Prudence walked in behind her but remained standing, as though serving as guards to prevent Chloe’s escape.
None of them appeared pleased.
Chloe began to fidget with her quill pen. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”
Hen pursed her lips and frowned. “He has not yet obtained the license.”
“Byhe, I suppose you mean Fionn. I am well aware.”
“He must do it, and soon,” Phoebe said, her hands curling into fists in frustration over Fionn’s unmistakable reluctance. “It isn’t right, Chloe. People are starting to talk.”
“Let them.” Chloe was not going to force him to do anything he was not ready to do. He loved her, but he was a man in turmoil and not used to relying on anyone for help. Nor could he bear to be around Moonstone Cottage at the moment, this place where so many ugly secrets had been revealed. “He will come to me when he is ready.”
“What if he doesn’t?” Prudence asked. “Be practical, Chloe. He needs to marry you as soon as possible. Then he can go off and do whatever he likes. Let him sulk or rage or vent his spleen on those odious Brennans after you are married. He cannot leave things as they are, you with your reputation in ruins.”
“I am not going to chase after him and beg him to marry me.”
“You don’t need to. Cain and Cormac will bring him to heel,” Hen said. “Truly, Chloe. Something must be done, or Cain will go after him with cannons firing if he does not come around soon. I don’t know how long I can hold him off. He takes his guardianship responsibilities quite seriously.”
Phoebe nodded. “Cormac will be right beside him, pistol pointed straight at Fionn’s heart.”
“All right. I’ll talk to him today.” Chloe had planned on giving him the entire week to think things through, but four days would have to be enough. “Besides, I ought to let him know that Cain wrote again to Mr. Barrow providing him with more leads in his investigation.”
Prudence glanced at her. “You found out something more?”
Chloe nodded. “Fionn does not know yet that I came upon Fiona’s death certification as well as that of Joseph’s. They passed away within months of each other, and the timing fits if Fionn is truly the child she was carrying. The only piece we are missing is an actual record of his birth. But we now know where Fiona died, and I am certain that will lead Mr. Barrow to witnesses who can tell us what happened to her child back then.”
“Chloe,” Prudence said gently, “why are you getting so caught up in this? Is this not his problem to solve? It seems to me he is running from this sad affair and wants to let it go.”
“But he doesn’t,” Chloe said with a shake of her head. “He is holding back because he feels an uncontrollable rage and is worried what might happen if he confronts the Brennans now. How would you feel if everything you knew turned out to be lies? It is as though a gaping hole opened up under his feet and simply swallowed him up.”
She rose and smoothed out her gown, a dull brown muslin that had no lace trim or frills other than a simple fichu to cover the swell of her breasts. It was not a very pretty gown, but would be suitable for making her way through the storm-damaged streets. “I’ll have Mr. Hawke hitch up the wagon and drive me into Moonstone Landing. I don’t need anyone following me. But do stay and enjoy a cup of tea with Mrs. Hawke.”
She made certain the documents were securely sealed in their boxes, then started for the door.
Phoebe followed her out. “There is one more thing you ought to know before you talk to him… Oh, Chloe! Hen and I were at odds whether to tell you, but it is better to hear it from us than be shocked when you learn of it from strangers. I want to shoot him.”
“Who?”
“Fionn. He was seen dining with Lady Dowling last night. How could he do this when he has promised to marry you?”
Chloe’s heart sank into her toes.
No, it couldn’t be. There had to be a logical explanation.
Even though Fionn had his rough edges, she could not believe he would invite another lady to dine with him, not after he had pledged his love to her and still owed her a marriage license. But what did she know of men? What did she really know of Fionn?
She did not want her sister to see how much the news upset her, so she held her head with pride and tried to shrug off her hurt. “Would you trust Cormac if he was the one seen dining with Lady Dowling?”
Phoebe gazed at her in surprise. “Of course I would. He would never… I trust him completely.”
Chloe felt this same way about Fionn, for how could she ever fall in love with him or marry him if there was no trust between them? Nor had Fionn ever shown any inclination to flirt with other ladies. In all the years she had known him, he had always been reserved and kept to himself.
Of course, he was in turmoil now and not his usually composed self.
