Page 118 of The Moonstone Hero
Besides, Ella did not sound all that distressed, even though her cheeks were adorably in flames. She appeared to be holding back her laughter and trying not to smile at him as he ended the kiss. “You are very naughty for a hero.”
“Yes, I am.” He kissed her again.
And had more kisses for her that night as they tumbled onto their bed, laughing as they shed their clothing and breathlessly undertook their romantic exertions. Wretched hound that he was, he could not get enough of her body. She was soft and sweet. Passion and heaven.
“Lord, that was good,” Caden muttered with a satisfied growl once they finished together. They were still clinging to each other, their limbs and hearts gloriously entangled.
She grinned smugly. “Was I naughty enough for you?”
Their clothes were strewn across the floor.
Their bodies had yet to untangle.
They might have broken the bed in their zeal to couple…or maybe it just squeaked a lot.
He kissed her, and then ran his fingers through the silken cascade of her hair. “You know, heroes have very high standards.”
“Have I met them?”
“Yes, Lady Mersey. Your husband is a very fortunate man.”
Her grin turned affectionately impish. “I shall tell him so when I next see him.”
“I’m sure he will be delighted to hear it.” Caden rolled her under him again. “I love you, Ella.” He did not wish to be a hero in anyone’s eyes—other than the fairy-pool orbs of his beautiful wife. “I love you, my sweet, lovely Ella. I surely do. Forever and always.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Moonstone Landing
July 1830
Ella sat aloneat the top of the stairs leading down to the beach at Westgate Hall, staring into the sunset. Twilight was upon them, and the glimmers of a full moon could be seen on the horizon, its pale form almost unnoticed against the pinks and purples of the dazzling sky that reflected off the calm cove waters.
She held back a tear, for Caden was about to miss another turn of the full moon, and she was beginning to worry the moonstones would never shine for them. Oh, she loved him and he loved her—of this she was not in doubt. But he also loved the important role he was now playing in shaping England’s future.
He had suggested they spend the summer in Moonstone Landing, because seeing those stones shimmer was important to him, and they had not had the chance to return to this lovely village as a married couple before now. They had not even managed a real honeymoon, merely snatching a day here or a day there to themselves in all these months.
Foolishly, she had gone on ahead to Moonstone Landing with Imogen because she expected him to follow in a matter of days. But half the summer was over and he was not here yet, nor had he written to her lately to advise her of his plans.
How would he ever see the moonstones if he remained in London?
“Where are you now, Caden?” she muttered, her words lost to the gentle wind.
She had only herself to blame for encouraging him to accept the role of second-in-command in the Foreign Office—this on top of slowly taking on more duties concerning the Seaton assets. While his grandfather had recovered somewhat, he was no longer the vigorous man he had once been. On the one hand, this was tragic. On the other hand, this had softened the old man sufficiently that he and Caden were developing a deep and loving relationship.
But in all the activity, and despite both men being loving and considerate toward her, she was somehow always last in line to command their attention. When was she going to start thinking of herself and demanding to be moved up in the ranks of importance?
No, that wasn’t really fair. Attending a tea or a soiree with her was never more important than dealing with the security of England.
She remained seated on the top step as night fell and stars could be seen in the exceptionally clear sky. It was a beautiful sight, the big silver moon and myriad stars twinkling like diamonds across the dark expanse. Uncle Cormac and Aunt Phoebe would be worrying about her if she did not return soon. However, the sight of the moon hanging large over the tranquil waters fascinated her, and she could not draw her gaze away yet.
As the wind picked up slightly, she sighed. “Come on, Ella. You cannot sit out here all night.”
Just as she was about turn away, something astonishing caught her eye. “What the…?”
A rainbow shimmer swept across the water like a tiny ripple, then disappeared. A moment later, another shimmering rippleswept across the cove waters. She looked around to see if there was a young couple close by, but could not see anything but shadows of rock on the beach below.
Perhaps a courting couple was standing somewhere on the cliffs above the beach.
