Page 68 of The Moonstone Governess
Daire read the invitation. “Let him know I have accepted on behalf of both of us. My friend is still up at the manor house. I had better go fetch him.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
Daire had been working on the latest documents arrived from London pertaining to Claymore matters, but he set them aside to see what Jax was up to. He should not have left him alone at the manor with Felicity, but hopefully the presence of Simon and his crew were enough to keep Jax in line.
Then again, despite owning some of the most lucrative gaming hells in all of England, Jax was one of the most decent men Daire had ever met. He was all business and never dallied with the help. He was always discreet, and Daire had never known him to seduce innocents.
To his relief, Jax was still toiling away in the garden when he rode up. “Felicity, do you mind if I take your assistant away now? We have been invited to dine with Lord and Lady Burness.”
“Not at all,” she said, emitting a gentle laugh. “He’s been a marvel. I could not have asked for a better worker.”
Jax beamed with pride.
Felicity cast him a soft smile in return. “I’m well ahead of my schedule because of you. Thank you, my lord. It has been a pleasure.”
He bowed but made no move to take hold of her hand, since his were covered in dirt. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Angel. Same time tomorrow?”
She turned to glance in surprise at Daire, obviously uncertain what to say.
While Daire did not know what to make of his friend’s behavior, he did not doubt his honor. “I certainly have no objections,” he said, “if this is what my friend wishes.”
Felicity cast Jax another smile. “Well, then. Yes, my lord. Same time tomorrow.”
Daire was not one to meddle in another’s business. But he had hired Felicity and Brenna, and now felt a duty to deliver another warning to his friend as they rode back to the inn. “Jax, what in bloody blazes are you doing?”
“Getting to know Felicity. Is this not what you insisted I do?”
“Just don’t behave like a nitwit and hurt the girl.”
“Hurt her?” Jax laughed. “Daire, do you not see I am already in love with her? I want to ride off this moment and secure the marriage license. The only reason I hesitate is because none of you, not even Felicity, will ever believe me if I were to propose. I’m sure she will club me over the head with her shovel. So, I will wait until she feels more comfortable around me. However, it does not diminish my feelings for her. That girl is a gem. Frankly, I do not understand how she is still unmarried. For that matter, Brenna too. There is something quite special about them.”
Daire listened quietly as Jax continued spouting their virtues. He agreed with everything his friend said.
Thoughts of Brenna swamped him as they rode past the field of poppies toward the village.
Those poppies.
Why did they stir his heart every time he looked at them?
Jax drew his mount closer to Scipio as they rode, feeling the warm wind swirling around them. “Let me turn the tables on you, my friend. What in bloody blazes are you doing with Brenna? If anyone is likely to do any hurting, it is you, Daire. You do not get to have it both ways with a nice girl like her. I can see you care for her. You cannot contain your smile whenever you see her. So what’s holding you back?”
First Juliana and now Jax getting on him? Was this what Daire was doomed to endure throughout the summer?
He knew he was the problem. But time was also a problem. A duke did not propose to a girl he’d met merely a week ago. Why were Jax and Juliana being so thick about it?
“Bah,” Jax grumbled. “Go on, be stubborn. But I’m sure you fell in love with her within a minute of meeting her. You and I are alike in this way. We immediately know what we want. It is only a matter of figuring out how much we are willing to pay to acquire it.”
“It? Doesn’t Brenna deserve better than to be treated as an object? And doesn’t she deserve to be kept safe? You know what my brother was. What if I turn out to be just like him?”
“First of all, you never were anything like him, or your father and grandfather before him. Nor will you ever be. You are no green boy just out of knee pants, either. Certainly your character is well formed by now. When have you ever raised a hand to a woman? Or to a child? When have you ever lost control of your temper?”
Daire said nothing, although he knew his friend was likely right.
“But it is all about control with you, isn’t it? You cannot bring yourself to allow anyone else to hold power over you. Well, my friend, it is too late. Brenna already has that power, specifically over your heart.”
Daire snorted.
“She does, so just admit it and seek your happiness with her. I am not suggesting you behave like me. I know I am an impulsive arse. But I trust my instincts. They have never failed me. Having met Felicity, I know I will never be happy without her. Simple as that. Is this how you feel about Brenna?”
