Page 67 of The Moonstone Governess
He strode out and found Jax in the garden with Brenna, Felicity, and Matthew. “Jax,” he said, curious as to what they were doing. “Mother is asking for you.”
His friend nodded and immediately excused himself. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Daire knelt beside Brenna as they watched Felicity and Matthew till the soil. The boy had a small spade in hand and was mimicking Felicity’s actions as she prepared the flowerbeds for their plants. “Strawberries are Matthew’s favorite,” Brenna said in a whisper, “so Felicity has set aside this little patch for Matthew to grow them himself.”
“He seems to be enjoying the work.”
“Because he does not view it as a chore. We thought it would be a good way to bolster his morale and learn he can create something out of nothing. He is going to help Felicity plant flowers, too. This boy needs to build happy memories in order to push out the bad ones that have dominated his early life.”
Daire nodded.
As they watched Matthew at work, Daire’s thoughts drifted back to Juliana’s words about him standing in his own way. It was true. So why could he not move forward? Logically, it was too soon to ask Brenna to marry him. But would his opinion change in a month from now? Or a year?
He did not bother to answer his own questions. Nor could he toss caution to the wind, as Jax seemed able to do.
Yet he was falling in love with Brenna. Why lie to himself? Every time he saw her, she worked her way deeper into his soul. He could not look at her without his blood heating. His heart soared every time she smiled at him.
But to be sure this was love? Or that he could handle it if it proved to be love? That would take time and a willingness to give up control over his life, over his surroundings, dismantle the barricades that had sheltered him all these years—for Brenna would never be satisfied with anything less than a complete commitment from him.
He’d seen the damage his family had done to his brother. He still bore the scars of the damage to himself.
Right now, looking at Brenna and Matthew, he could not imagine ever hurting them. But what if he was wrong? What if there was a monster lurking inside him and determined to come out?
He had spent so much of his life behind a carefully crafted façade that he no longer knew who the real Daire Claymore was.
Brenna, unaware of his thoughts, smiled at him.
He could have sworn the sun came out from behind a cloud at just that moment, shining its rays on her so that she truly looked like an angel. Meanwhile, Felicity and Matthew were still happily digging away in the garden.
Was he being a fool? Making up reasons not to grab at the happiness that had so long eluded him?
*
Around noontime, Brennaand Matthew left the garden in order to prepare themselves for their visit to the home of Lord and Lady Burness. Daire strolled indoors to see how Simon Angel and his workmen were progressing.
“Moving along quite nicely, Your Grace,” Simon responded with cheer, because these Angels were the most contented family Daire had ever met. “Let me know if you spot anything amiss.”
“It is all very well done, as far as I can tell,” Daire replied.
Since Juliana had also retreated to her quarters to ready herself for the Burness visit, Daire strolled back outside. He saw Jax beside Felicity, his coat off and sleeves rolled up as he assisted her with the heavier work that would have been done by Simon’s men if not for Jax offering to do it himself.
Gad, was his friend truly serious about Felicity?
Jax stayed on at Stoningham Manor to assist Felicity as she worked on her garden designs. Daire simply shook his head and rode back to Moonstone Landing, stopping first at Bedwell’s Mercantile in order to look for kites.
“Yes, Your Grace. You’ll find them in the back corner. Let me show you,” Mr. Bedwell said, leaving his other customers to wait while he led Daire through his shop.
Daire chose three kites, each of a different color. A red, a blue, and a yellow.
He was now eager to fly them with Matthew and Brenna, but this would have to wait until tomorrow afternoon, since she had already arranged a late-morning tour of the fort for the lad and then a treat afterward at Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop.
Matthew would adore the day.
Perhaps Daire would hold off on the kite flying until after tomorrow. He was feeling greedy and wanted to spend an entire, uninterrupted day with Brenna and Matthew. Kites, a picnic, and anything else they cared to do.
He had no preference. He just wanted to be with them.
The afternoon invitation to the Burnesses’ turned into a dinner invitation, since Matthew was having so much fun with Ella and Imogen. Thaddius knocked at the door of Daire’s suite to deliver the invitation the marquess had sent for him and Jax. “This just arrived for you, Your Grace. The messenger is here and awaiting a response.”
