Page 111 of The Moonstone Hero
“He has abandoned you on your wedding day. Who does this?”
“England’s hero,” she replied. “He was summoned to the Foreign Office. It is not at all the same thing as a recalcitrant bridegroom running off. And he has a major speech to give tomorrow in Parliament. We will settle into married life once all the fuss dies down. Besides, it will allow His Grace and I to get to know each other better.”
The Duke of Seaton nodded. “That’s right, Stockwell. Stop complaining and rejoice in their love match. I’ve never had a granddaughter before. I think your girl and I will get on quite well.”
“Like a house afire,” her father muttered outside of the duke’s hearing.
Ella stifled her laughter. “Papa, behave.”
She smiled at the duke, believing they might actually get along. His near-death had jolted him and perhaps made him come to terms not only with what truly mattered in life, butwhotruly mattered in his life.
“She reads that romantic poetry,” the duke said. “I’ve had Talbott order a dozen such books to stock in my library. Perhaps we’ll form a poetry-reading circle. What do you say, Ella?”
“I would love it, Your Grace.” Was this the same man she had chased around Caden’s hospital room with a broomstick?
Her father regarded the duke askance. “Are you saying you enjoy that nonsensical drivel?”
“Ella has my grandson reading it, and I never thought such a thing possible. He spent an hour reciting Shelley’s poems to me as I lay unconscious in my bed. It is not drivel. In fact, I shallinvite you to our first poetry reading, Stockwell. You cannot get out of it. I shall demand your attendance.” The old man winked at Ella, who could no longer contain her laughter.
“Yes, Papa. Do join us.”
Her father threw his hands up in surrender and laughed along with her. “I shall be delighted…Lady Mersey.”
The duke grunted in approval. “Well, now that’s resolved, I had better take my nap before Dr. Farthingale boxes my ears. I shall see you later, my dear. We’ll dine quietly together if Caden is not back by supper.”
Lord Fielding had been avidly following the exchange. He and his mother now approached Ella to bid her farewell. “Call on us if you are in need of anything.”
“Thank you. I will,” she said, casting him a sincere smile.
After seeing the duke comfortably settled in his bedchamber, she returned downstairs to her family, who were waiting for her to return home with them in order to pack. “Papa, you are looking morose again.”
He wiped a tear from his eye. “It feels so final. Ours is no longer your home. You are all grown up and Lady Mersey now.”
Ella’s mother took his hand. “Oh, John. She will always be our daughter. And she’s hardly far away, not even a ten-minute carriage ride.”
“That’s right, Papa,” Ella chimed in. “With Caden bound to be busy and his grandfather still requiring bed rest, I’m sure I’ll be spending most of my time with Mama and Imogen.”
“I hope you will visit us in Moonstone Landing soon, too,” Cormac said. “Phoebe and I don’t want that to change, although I suppose it will while Caden remains much needed in London.”
Her father said nothing for the entire carriage ride.
They had hardly stepped inside their home before he took her into his arms and gave her an enormous hug. “My little girl,” he murmured.
She gave him a heartfelt hug in return. “I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you, Papa.”
“You? Never, my child. I’m the one who ought to apologize to you. Cormac is right…although he rarely is,” he added with a chuckle. “It’s just that I love you girls so much and cannot bear the thought of not having you with us anymore. But this is life moving forward, and I am powerless to stop the advance of time. Let’s get you packed and settled in your new home before your husband returns.”
In truth, having time alone with her family eased the transition, because everything had been so rushed. Quick ceremony. Quick toast in celebration. Not even an hour with her husband before he was summoned away.
And what of tonight? Would he return for their wedding night?
Well, they had a lifetime together. Nothing needed to happentonight.
By early evening, Ella was moved into the Seaton townhouse, her belongings placed in the room adjoining Caden’s for now. This was also where she was to sleep until they worked out more permanent sleeping arrangements. It was a large, lovely room that reminded her of Cornwall summers because of its sunny colors and floral wallpaper and bedding. The bed itself was large and canopied, easily able to accommodate her and Caden—should he decide to join her in it.
There was no inner door between her room and Caden’s, but Mrs. Nance suggested one could easily be put in for their convenience. “I’m certain His Grace would permit it.”
Since Caden had not returned home by suppertime, Ella joined his grandfather for a light meal in his bedchamber. It was quite informal, for he had a tray set before him while he sat propped up in his bed with a dozen pillows behind him. She ate at a small table one of the footmen had moved beside his bed.
