Page 18 of The Moonstone Hero
“Did that hurt? Well, those ribs are still sensitive. Do not bend over and do not lift anything heavier than a cup for the next few days. I promise you will feel much better soon.”
“I’ll hold you to that promise.” He wanted to spend time with Ella, and not just here while lying in his hospital bed like a big, helpless lump. As for courting her, he dared not think that far ahead, not while those generals and his grandfather were furious with him and trying to break his will.
Well, they could kiss his arse. He was not going to take that “look at me, I am abloodyhero” tour until he was good and ready.
Lord, why did he always have to be so difficult?
Well, Ella handled him easily enough. She made it look effortless and reminded him why he had been so drawn to her last year, too. He was not ready for any commitments, but nor did he want to lose her.
Despite everything else going wrong for him, he knew she was the one right thing in his life.
But his life was such a mess.
He was an utter mess inside.
Was it fair to take all he could from this girl when he might not be able to give her anything in return? He could never treat her as just another peahen in the flock who sought to win hisfavor. If he was not going to bed her and not going to dally with her, was it right to steal a few more kisses?
How could he resist? She did something to his heart.
“I’ll stop in to see you later this afternoon,” Dr. Hewitt said after finishing his examination. He had checked Caden’s fingers and toes, making certain he was able to wiggle them about and feel sensations of pain when pinched. He checked Caden’s head wound and then had him fix his gaze on a pencil that he moved back and forth in front of his eyes. “Good. Good. Get some rest now.”
Caden sank back onto his bed and closed his eyes.
It was not long before more thoughts of Ella crept into his head.
Beautiful, innocent Ella.
Then he thought of the duties he would eventually have to undertake.
Everyone was tugging at him, expecting him to go around the country espousing the big lie. Wars happened; battles were fought. This is not what troubled him.
This last Ashanti battle was different.
He had not been sent off to fight for a noble cause. There was no danger to Crown interests or British sovereignty. That last battle had been all about seizing the gold mines and cocoa plantations that were going to make businessmen, including his grandfather, rich at the expense of everyone else. This was about private interests, bribery, all about lining one’s pockets. Nothing to do with valor.
He heard light footsteps coming up the stairs and hoped it was Ella coming for her afternoon visit. To his disappointment, Lady Dowling breezed into the room. Lord, what did she want with him?
“Good afternoon, my lord,” she said with syrupy sweetness.
He grunted. “Why are you here?”
She patted her hair and then approached his bed. “To keep you company, of course.”
“It isn’t necessary. Lady Ella will be here soon.”
Lady Dowling appeared to be in her early thirties, a stunning woman who had retained much of her youthful appeal. But Caden was not moved or impressed in the least. Greedy women circled him all the time, and he could readily tell who they were, since they all had the same calculating expression when approaching him. “Really, my lord. Think of her reputation. She cannot be in here alone with you day after day. People will talk. I ought to take over responsibility for tending you.”
“No. It shall be Lady Ella and no one else. Have Elmer stand in here with us if you are so concerned about her reputation.”
She pinched her lips. “The lad has other duties.” Despite not having been given permission, she stepped closer to him. “Let me adjust your pillows.”
“Not necessary. I am quite comfortable.”
“You do not look comfortable.” She leaned into him, purposely rubbing her breasts against his chest as she uselessly fluffed those pillows.
Ella chose that moment to walk in.
Caden groaned.
