Page 81 of The Moonstone Governess
He thought back to the lazy hours in his own sitting room at the Kestrel Inn when Hollingsworth, his sisters, and Danson were with him, all of them doing absolutely nothing worthwhile. Just griping, yawning, passing snide comments about others in theton. How dull and empty their conversation had been.
How full and rich this scene in the music room was in comparison.
When he finished his tea, he walked over to Matthew. “Shall I join you and your soldiers?”
The boy did not need to glance at Brenna before he nodded. “Yes, Uncle Daire.”
Indeed, a breakthrough.
Daire stretched out on the carpet as he taught Matthew how to set up his battalions. “There is an order to these army formations, because one must protect one’s flanks from attack as well as maintain strength along the middle. Where will you position your cannons?”
Brenna was watching them out of the corner of her eye, just tinkling a soft tune so as not to disturb their conversation. Juliana was watching them as well.
Daire engaged in play for another half-hour before the luncheon bell sounded. “Are you hungry, lad?”
The boy nodded.
“Leave the soldiers where they are. We’ll return to the game later.” Daire rose and held out his hand. The boy looked up at him, then smiled and took it.
Daire turned to Brenna.
She cast him a delicious grin. “Well done,” she mouthed.
Indeed, he could not have felt prouder.
Matthew held his hand while they walked down the hall to the dining room. Daire noticed only two places had been set, and quickly motioned to Greggson to have two more added. “We dine as a family from now on.”
Daire had done nothing but play tin soldiers with Matthew, but he knew it was one of the most productive days he’d ever had.
*
The sun wasout the following day as Daire rode up to the manor house in the morning. Simon and his workers were fixing the roof. Jax was already in the garden helping Felicity.
Daire seemed to have gained an unpaid worker in Jax, who had no interest in ever leaving Felicity’s side. He was not sure whether to step in and draw Jax back a bit. Since no one in Felicity’s family was expressing concern, he decided not to interfere.
He kept telling himself that Jax, despite having a reputation as a womanizer and the capability of being ruthless in his dealings whenever needed, was extremely honorable at his core. But what if, despite his good intentions, Jax decided Felicity was not right for him?
“Jax,” Daire said, coming upon his friend and motioning him over.
Jax left Felicity’s side and strode to him. “I know what you are going to say. Drop it, Daire. I haven’t changed my mind, nor will I ever.”
“All right, but you must understand I feel responsible for Brenna and Felicity.”
“I know, and rest assured, Felicity will soon be my responsibility. I only meant to wait the week before officially asking her. But I will be proposing as soon as the week is up. I hope you will ride over to the parish church with me to obtain the license.”
Daire nodded. “Just let me know when you are ready.”
He supposed this ought to have calmed him. And in truth, it did. Having made the decision to marry Felicity, rash as it was, Jax was going to honor and protect her to the day he died.
He had also laughed off Daire’s warning about Lady Dowling last night as they sat in Daire’s sitting room sharing a bottle of port. “Such women are rife in theton,” he’d said. “She already approached me, and believe me, I immediately felt her trying to spin her little web around me. But Felicity is solid in my heart. Every minute I am with her only confirms how right my instincts were. No, I’m ready to make that commitment. But I have to figure out what to do about my gaming hells. I don’t think Felicity knows yet this is how I made my fortune.”
Daire’s advice was to be forthright and tell her. “Jax, you cannot build a marriage on lies.”
He’d felt quite wise and proud of himself when giving that advice.
He was still watching Jax help out Felicity with the gardening work when Felicity whispered something. Jax nodded and then rose to approach him again. “Daire, would you mind if we took your nephew for the day? Felicity said something about the fort commander setting aside a patch of garden for Matthew’s strawberries and other plants. Felicity thinks it is a good day for it.”
Daire chuckled. “I don’t mind at all. He’ll be thrilled.”
