Page 108 of The Moonstone Hero
“Your causes were valid and very important, Caden,” his grandfather said with surprising sincerity.
But this did not make Caden feel any better. How was he ever to make it up to Ella? “Oh, sonowyou admit I might have been right? Never mind, Grandfather. I don’t want to argue with you. In truth, I may need your help to win back Ella.”
“You are asking for my help?” The duke appeared stunned. And why would he not? When had Caden ever relied on anyone but himself? He had often spurned the old man’s offers of advice.
Caden let out a breath. “I’m sure you never thought the day would come.”
His grandfather nodded. “I’m sure neither of us did. What do you need from me?”
“Your support. Perhaps having you talk to Ella if she refuses to see me. She’s wonderful, Grandfather. I cannot lose her. I wanted to get a special license so she and I could marry right here instead of in church.”
“Why here, Caden? Would it not be simpler to have the ceremony take place in church?”
“Yes, but I wanted you with me. You may not believe it, but I love you. It mattered to me to have you by my side. Well, within hearing, even if you were unable to get out of bed. Not that I expect you to believe me when I have been an arse to you as well as to Ella. I cannot seem to get out of my own way. I’ve hurt the two people I love most.”
“I have been no prize, either. Angry with you for staying with the Royal Marines when I wanted you here. But I chased you away with that iron grip I tried to keep on you. Then to almost lose you in that massacre because of my stubborn pride and foolish decisions…”
Caden cast him a wry smile. “We are too much alike, Grandfather. But I never stopped caring about you. If there is any way possible, I want you at my wedding. Assuming there is to be one. But I’ve botched it so badly. The Archbishop of London is away, and I will not be able to obtain the special license. Now, Ella’s father is convinced this was just another ploy and I will break his daughter’s heart.”
“Did you know the archbishop was not in London?”
“Of course not!”
“Then your Ella will believe you in time,” the duke said, his expression softer than Caden had ever seen before.
“How? All I have given her is disappointment. I’ve been noheroto her. And now she is going to hear vile rumors that will add to her distrust of me.”
“What rumors? Have there been other women, Caden?”
“No, Grandfather! You know there haven’t been any. Were you not with me throughout our tour of England? But that arse, Wycliff, and his daughter came to see me yesterday. They are attempting to revive the matter of a betrothal between me and Melinda. Rumors of our getting back together—when we were never together in the first place—are bound to show up in the gossip rags.”
“Planted by them?”
“Yes. They think to force my hand. Failing that, they hope to damage my reputation.”
“I see. Are you going to blame me for this, too?”
“No, you were only doing what you thought was best for me,” Caden replied. “But your matchmaking skills leave much to be desired. In fact, they are abominable. That girl is a cold-hearted witch, and I would sooner marry a frog than her. The only woman I want or shall ever want is Ella.”
“Then just tell her, Caden. If she loves you, she will understand.”
“No, this mistake is even too much for her to forgive.”
“Grandson, just talk to her.”
Caden nodded. “I plan to, but I needed to see you first.”
“Maybe you can talk to us both.” His grandfather peered over Caden’s head toward the door and winked.
Who was he winking at?
And since when did the dukewink?
It took Caden a moment to turn around to see who was at the door. “Ella,” he said in a strangled whisper of surprise, and immediately strode toward her. “I’m so sorry.”
She looked up at him, casting him a radiant, angelic smile that never failed to steal his breath. “I knew something important had to be going on when you did not show up this morning.”
“It was.” Caden groaned. “But that is no excuse. I will never forgive myself.”
