Page 42 of The Moonstone Governess
“Stay here, little dove. I’ll fetch you a lemonade.”
Brenna nodded. “Thank you.”
She meant to hand him back his handkerchief, but he shook his head. “Dry your tears. I’ll take it back later.”
He strode off to fetch a drink for each of them, needing a little distance between them, for she seemed to be wrapping herself around his soul, and he was not ready for this.
Was there anything about this girl he did not like?
He could not think of a single thing.
Chapter Eight
Returning to Brennatook a few minutes longer than Daire expected because others approached him, and he did not wish to appear rude. This was the new Daire Claymore, ever patient and engaging. What a jest!
Would people so easily forget what an arse he was?
But being this better version of himself felt effortless when he was with Brenna.
He strode back to her side and immediately cursed himself for ever leaving her alone. Gemma and Sarah were now beside her, no doubt bent on destroying any illusions about his valor the little dove might have held.
By the looks on their scheming faces, they were spilling every dirty detail of their nighttime frolics. He did not owe Brenna any apology or explanation for his past behavior. He did not owe her an explanation or apology for present behavior, either.
He had been an amoral hound. She knew this.
Still, their attempt to demean him made his blood boil. It was done for no other reason than to maliciously retaliate for sending them away.
Their spite was utterly ridiculous, for both were betrothed to wealthy old men who were suffering maladies that would likely kill them within the year. He was a novice compared to them when it came to using people to advance their selfish purposes.
This was why he never opened himself up or dared to trust anybody. He’d paid for their stay at the Kestrel Inn, had footed all the cost for these ladies in addition to buying them sparkly trinkets, and would now pay for their time in Bath. He had been generous to them for years…and yet they did not hesitate to turn on him with a vengeance.
Was there no gratitude? No understanding? Not a shred of loyalty?
“Ladies,” he said curtly, handing Brenna her lemonade. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
They laughed and skittered away.
He groaned. “Dare I ask?”
“No, it is better that you do not.” Brenna turned to him, not looking particularly horrified. “The Marquess of Burness had a hideous reputation, one even worse than yours. Look at him now. He would die before ever hurting Lady Phoebe. The Duke of Malvern was often his partner on their debauched jaunts. He is completely reformed as well. He adores Duchess Hen.”
“So, I am absolved?”
“No,” she said with a gently admonishing laugh. “You have yet to prove yourself. I hope in time you will, because it appears you are sincere in the attempt. However, it is not me or your family or any of these villagers to whom you owe your proof. You owe it to yourself. The desire to change the arc of your life must come from within you. We may supply the first push, but making the important changes in your life is ultimately up to you alone.”
“Do not dismiss your importance to me, Brenna.”
“Do not say that. We hardly know each other. Nothing will come of us beyond a cordial friendship. Your rank and my lack of it can never be overlooked. So, let us be sensible. What I think of you cannot be all that important.”
“You are wrong.” Her opinion could prove to be his salvation, but she did not want to hear this. She would never believe him, because she placed more importance on the difference in their status than he did.Everyoneplaced importance on it.
He, however, did not.
She sipped her lemonade and turned to watch the dancers gathering for the first dance of the afternoon.
“Care to dance with me, little dove? The orchestra is tuning up, and I can think of nothing more enjoyable than hopping about and making a complete arse of myself as the entire village looks on.”
Her eyes were mirthful and her laughter flitted on the breeze. “You are an excellent dancer, as you well know. All eyes will be on you because you are too handsome for words. But you must promise to dance with other ladies, too.”
