Page 78 of The Moonstone Governess
They walked into the kitchen to retrieve the picnic basket, which Daire hauled over his massive shoulder. She and Matthew carried the kites and a blanket for them to sit on while they ate. The head butler had asked if he ought to set up chairs and a table for them in the field beneath a shade tree, but Brenna did not want the formality. “Blanket will do, Mr. Greggson.” She wanted Daire and Matthew to stretch out and look up at the sky, comment on the shapes of clouds, set aside their anguish.
The picnic basket and blanket were placed under a nearby shade tree while Daire prepared their kites and showed her and Matthew how to get them in the air. It was not long before she and Matthew were laughing and running through the poppy field, while their kites caught the wind to soar above them.
Matthew had chosen the yellow one, while Brenna had taken the red. This left the blue one for Daire. After helping them get their kites in the air, Daire joined in, his expression lighter than she had ever seen before.
It was not long afterward that Brenna’s kite got tangled in the trees and ripped. “Oh, no. Daire, I think I’ve broken it.”
He strode over and gave her his while he climbed the tree to retrieve hers. “Yes, it’s torn,” he called down to her from a high branch. “I’ll see if Mr. Bedwell can have it mended. Use mine in the meanwhile, Brenna.”
Matthew looked on in surprise. “He didn’t yell at you.”
“Nor would he yell at you had it been yours that got ripped, Matthew. Accidents happen.”
Daire hopped down from the tree. “Shall I help you get the kites flying again?”
Matthew shook his head. “I can do it, Uncle Daire. Look.” He then ran off through the field, cheering as his kite caught the breeze and soared.
“Blessed saints,” Daire said in wonder. “Did you hear what he just said?”
“Yes. Isn’t it marvelous?” Brenna watched the boy, his little head bobbing as he ran. “I think I ought to sit this one out. Why don’t you take your kite and join your nephew?”
“I’d rather have my arms around you as I pretend to care about helping you make that kite soar.” Daire sighed when she tossed him a stubborn look. “All right, I’ll go play with Matthew.”
“He called you Uncle Daire and wanted to show you his accomplishment. Is that not amazing?”
“Yes, did I not just say this very thing? Brenna, I am sincerely cheering this breakthrough. However, I still want to hold you in my arms. Even more so because you are the one responsible for making this day happen.”
“Remember when I told you I had a plan?”
He nodded. “You mentioned something yesterday. What did you have in mind?”
She kept her eyes on Matthew as he tore back and forth across the field, his heart as light as the butterflies flitting along the flowers. “We each have a fear. Mine is water. Matthew’s is fear of getting beaten. Yours is fear that you will turn into a monster and beat him…or beat me. You never will, Daire. That cruelty isn’t in you. But we are not going to think about it today. We shall start tomorrow, weather permitting.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Start what?”
“Overcoming our fears.”
He groaned. “You are not my governess. I have no intention of becoming one of your students.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Fine, then we’ll start with me. I’ll be your student. You are going to teach me to swim.”
“Brenna,” he said with a soft ache to his voice. “Truly?”
She nodded. “I don’t want to be afraid of the water. It is long past time I conquered my fear, especially since Matthew also wants to learn how to swim. Felicity cannot be with us all the time. She went through the same ordeal as I did, and yet she is not afraid. So why am I still so cowardly? I have to stop holding myself back. It is time. Don’t you agree? Will you teach me?”
“You do realize it is highly inappropriate for us to swim together? One might say it would compromise you if ever we were caught.”
Her heart sank. “Oh… You’re right. I did not think of it that way. I should have, of course.”
He caressed her cheek. “I’ll teach you, little dove. I will also step up and do the honorable thing if ever we are found out. Never doubt it.”
“I don’t doubt it, Daire. I know you are honorable. But I’ll ask Felicity to help me once she finishes the landscaping job. It was never my intention to trap you.”
“I know.” He gave her cheek another light caress. “Nor could you trap me, unless I wished to be caught. Do not bring Felicity into this. I am going to teach you.”
“No matter the consequences? That sounds awful.”
He emitted a heavy sigh. “No, it sounds wonderful. Surely you cannot doubt…there is no one else for me. I know I have not made my feelings clear enough. Well, I never had doubt about my feelings for you. But can a monster ever truly be in love?”
