Page 107 of The Moonstone Hero
Caden ignored Cranford as he babbled on.
He groaned and rolled out of bed, grabbing his robe in the same motion, for he hadn’t a stitch on. He was in the habit of sleeping in the nude. Cranford was used to this, but Caden had no wish to be on display for others of the staff who would soon be at his door, wheeling in the tub and pails of water.
Of greater concern was Ella and the fact he had not shown up this morning as promised. Not showing up for a tea party might be excused. Not showing up for one’s own wedding was a cardinal sin that might never be forgiven.
She was never going to speak to him again.
He rubbed his stubble. “Crack of dawn, I told her.”
“Did you say something, my lord?”
“No.” He blinked to accustom himself to the sun’s bright glare.
Cranford was now at the armoire, fussing over clothes. There was no need for him to be burrowing through the neatly laid-out garments. Caden was going to wear his uniform, as he always did.
“How is my grandfather, Cranford? Have you seen him this morning?”
“Indeed, several times throughout the morning. He is asking for you. He wants to speak to you as soon as possible.”
“All right. Help me to wash and dress,” he said as the tub and buckets of water were brought in.
“You’ll need a shave, too.”
“Fine. And have my breakfast brought up here. I’m starving.” He noted the tray from last night had been taken away.
It did not take him long to get ready, after which he eagerly went to see his grandfather. He found the old man sitting up in his bed, his color much returned, although he still appeared a little wan. “Grandfather, how do you feel?”
“Better than you, by the look of it,” the duke grumbled. “Where were you all evening?”
Caden was reluctant to tell him, but nor did he wish to withhold the truth. He settled in the chair beside his grandfather’s bed. “I met with Palmerston, Wooton, Wellington, and Grey.”
“Bloody blazes, all four of them in a room together? What happened? Is England at war?”
“No…hopefully not.” He then told him about Fulke’s death and that of his mercenaries. “The Ashanti have reclaimed the gold mines.”
“Go ahead, say it.”
“Say what?”
“That ‘I told you so’ is on the tip of your tongue, is it not?”
“Not at all. I don’t care about those damn gold mines or about shoving the loss of them in your face. I’m just relieved you are on the mend. I was so worried about you.”
“I know, Grandson.” The duke cleared his throat as it turned raspy. “I heard you by my bedside. I wanted to respond but couldn’t. My eyes refused to open. I had no voice and I could not get my limbs to move. But I was awake and heard your every word…appreciated all you said.” His eyes turned misty, but the old man quickly wiped away his tears as they fell upon his pale cheeks. “What’s to be done about those mines?”
“Nothing at the moment,” Caden said. “An envoy is to be sent to the Ashanti with an offer to restore the treaty that was in place before Fulke arrived and tore everything up. However, I won’tbe that envoy. I will be on my honeymoon, hopefully… That is, if Ella has not given up on me. I’m not sure she will still have me.”
“Why would she not have you? You are going to be a duke.”
Caden emitted a soft growl as he rubbed the nape of his neck. “She does not care about that. And neither of us wish to see your demise anytime soon. I was supposed to marry her today.”
“I thought the wedding was set for next month?”
“Yes, it is. But I could not bear to wait that long.” Caden emitted a wrenching groan. “Grandfather, what have I done? I promised Ella we would exchange vows this morning. Instead, I’ve slept half the day away. How could I do this horrible thing?”
“Perhaps it is no coincidence. Are you certain you want to marry her?”
“Not marry that angel?” He shook his head and laughed. “It is the only thing I have wanted to do for months now. In truth, longer. I fell in love with her the moment I set eyes on her. And now she will never believe me. Why should she? I have been nothing but an arse to her, putting everything and everyone else ahead of her.”
