Page 36 of The Moonstone Governess
“Chloe Killigrew,” Daire replied.
“Yes, that’s the one. I must say, she’s a far better choice than your virgin. Chloe is the daughter of an earl, while this Brenna Angel is merely a tradesman’s daughter. You’re not thinking of courting her, are you?”
“Me? I am not courting anyone. Nor do I intend to.” First of all, he had no idea how to actually court a woman. He doubted he would ever have the patience to whisper sweet nothings in some giggling goose’s ear, or bring her flowers, or recite sonnets to her beauty.
Nor would he ever patiently wait his turn among a queue of suitors.
No, if he wanted something, he simply charged in like a bull and took it. That approach would never work with Brenna, however.
“You can afford to be brash and set your own rules,” Hollingsworth said with a note of wistfulness. “I always admired this about you. Ruthless, that’s what you are when you want something. I hope to be like you someday, but I have to wait around for my uncle to die first. I am convinced he will live forever just to thwart me.”
They turned up the drive to St. Austell Grange, a magnificent country house overlooking the sea. Daire could not wait to get out of his carriage and away from these friends. This afternoon tea was not going to be easy for him, because he would be seeing Lady Chloe Killigrew for the first time since her marriage. She was Lady Brennan now, having wed Fionn Brennan, a mere major at the time but now a viscount.
Not that Daire minded seeing her again, for they had parted on good terms.
Her husband was not too fond of him because Daire had thought to propose to Chloe. Being eminently sensible, Chloe had cut him off fast back then. She did not love him, and Daire had not been in love with her. But he liked her, and she would have made him a good wife.
It was never going to happen. He would not have made her a good husband, and she knew it. The danger signs were obvious to Chloe, because even while thinking to court her, Daire had been dallying with Gemma and Sarah in their casual nighttime romps.
Looking back on it now, he knew it was not well done of him.
Some bad habits were hard to break, especially when there were so many easy women around, those who took no effort to lure into his bed and could be appeased with trinkets. He chose these conquests because they did not give a fig about him.
Chloe was not such a woman. Nor was Brenna.
Things were different for him now. Some might say he had finally grown into a responsible man.
As for him, he had never thought of himself as a thoughtless bounder. But he had closed himself off to everyone. It was the only way he knew how to maintain a shred of dignity after all those years of abuse from his father. The old bastard claimed to be beating strength into him. Ironically, Daire was only beaten when he attempted to stand up for himself. He was never quite sure why his father was doing it, only that the old man took too much pleasure in it.
The war and the senseless brutality of every fierce battle had only closed him off further.
What was he now but an unhappy man who could no longer bear to carry the festering burden of a damaged heart? He was desperate for it to heal.
Perhaps this was why he enjoyed Brenna’s company as much as he did. Brenna, with her refreshing innocence and opinionated ways, was better than any healing balm. He particularly liked her unwavering belief in love.
Perhaps she could convince him such a thing existed and was possible for him.
He had already acknowledged the need to change his ways. Elegant courtesans, expensive brandy, and nights at the gaming table were not providing any satisfaction. He was already on the path to redemption, or whatever one called it.
He had abstained from touching a woman in over a fortnight. Nor did he have any desire to be with anyone other than Brenna… At least for now.
Bollocks.
Was this what he had to look forward to? A summer of celibacy?
And yet he would not hesitate to turn into a monk if this was what it took to heal.
He set aside the thought as he approached the reception line. Viscount Brennan was looking on, and pinned him with a glower.
The man was obviously not happy to see Daire.
He recognized that apish look, thatChloe is mine, so keep your hands off herglower. The viscount had nothing to worry about. Daire’s attention was completely on Brenna, never mind that he’d known her for little more than two days now.
Daire wondered whether he would be as jealous of Albert if that pompous rat ever dared come to Moonstone Landing in search of Brenna.
The answer was yes. Daire would go at him like a wild ape and rip that man apart.
Ah, men were such possessive creatures.
