Page 75 of The Moonstone Governess
How awful the men in his family must have been to damage him and Matthew as they had. Despite her disappointing conversation with him, she knew Daire was struggling to overcome the hurt he had endured.
Was it truly because he wanted to marry her?
She dared not hope or think about it. Just because her cousin Cara had found love, that did not mean she had a chance at the same happiness. This remained an improbable outcome for her. Perhaps less improbable for Felicity, because the Earl of Bradford, unless he was a consummate actor and had taken them all in, seemed not to care a whit for Society’s rules. Nor did he have Daire’s concerns about a monster hidden within his soul.
But Daire? He had spent so many years in a very, very dark place and grown quite adept at hiding his misery.
Instead of fretting about what might or might not be between them, Brenna put her thoughts toward establishing a relationship between Daire and Matthew. How was she to fix these broken Claymore men?
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” she said, putting on a bright smile.
“You seem to have enjoyed your time with Viscount Brennan and his wife.” Daire knelt to address Matthew. “Did you have fun touring the fort?”
The lad nodded, but would not look him in the eyes.
“What was the most fun thing you saw, Matthew?” Daire asked.
The boy was too scared to answer.
Daire rose with a sigh.
“I’m sorry,” Brenna said softly.
He shook his head. “Early days, yet. I’ll keep trying. You haven’t forgotten our kite-flying outing tomorrow, have you?”
Brenna gave Matthew’s chin a little tweak. “Kite flying, Matthew. We are going to have so much fun. I’ll pack us a picnic basket and we’ll make an afternoon of it.”
Daire began to walk along with them as they started toward Stoningham Manor. “How is my mother, by the way? I see she did not join you.”
“She had a megrim and sent her regrets. I suggested calling for the doctor, but she dismissed the idea rather forcefully and insisted I take Matthew on his outing. Is she all right, do you think? I mean, other than these occasional headaches?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. She isn’t all that much older than me—about a fifteen-year gap in our ages. But she seems frail, doesn’t she?”
Brenna nodded. “I’ll check on her when we return and send for Dr. Hewitt if she is not feeling any better.”
Daire lightly touched her forehead. “What about you? When is he taking out your stitches?”
“Oh, a few more days yet. He said they must stay in a full week. But it shouldn’t hurt or take very long to take them out. I think the cut is healing quite nicely. It does not bother me at all. I haven’t required laudanum since that very first day.”
“Will removing your stitches take place in his infirmary? What time? I’ll meet you there and hold your hand while he takes them out.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Daire, that is hardly necessary.”
“I know. I want to be there for you.” He gave a pained laugh. “And yet I’ve been such an arse holding you off. Honestly, Brenna. I don’t know what I am waiting for.”
“I do,” she said softly, motioning toward Matthew, who still had his head buried against her gown. “He shows it outwardly, but is this not you on the inside? He’ll come out of it in time, and so will you.”
Daire shrugged.
“I have an idea that I would like to put past you. I’ll tell you more about it when we meet tomorrow to fly our kites.”
“Why not tell me now? I’m intrigued,” he said as they slowly walked up the high street toward the edge of town.
She shook her head. “Not yet. I have to think it through.”
“All right, little dove.” He escorted them up the hill to Stoningham Manor.
Brenna never tired of the magnificent view no matter the hour of the day. She knew Daire felt the same.
