Page 27 of The Moonstone Hero
“Imogen!” Ella was appalled by her sister’s remark.
Caden thought it humorous. “She is indeed. Quite predatory, and not one to take subtle hints. I am in need of a pushchair. Unfortunately, my leg isn’t healing as rapidly as I would like. It still pains me when I put any weight on it for more than a few minutes.”
“Oh, I am so sorry.”
“Not your fault,” he said with a shrug. “I tried to walk on it earlier today and probably aggravated it. I’ll also need Elmer to help me put on some decent clothes.”
“I’ll go in search of him right now.” Imogen bobbed a curtsy and ran off, leaving Ella alone with him.
His hawk gaze bored into her. “Ella, are you still irritated about Lady Dowling? You know she does this purely to rattle you. She means nothing to me.”
She sighed and approached his bedside. “I know. I shouldn’t respond to her the way I do. It is just that she is so devious and manipulative.”
“Which is why I will never involve myself with her.” He sat up with a struggle, careful to keep the sheet wrapped around his waist as he shifted his legs off the bed.
“What are you doing?”
“I cannot lie flat another moment. My back is sore. Does the sight of my bare legs shock you?”
She laughed lightly. “No, since you are mostly covered up. But they are quite hairy. You have big feet.” She scanned upward. “And a cowlick poking out of your hair.”
His smile was surprisingly warm and appealing. “I can see you are dazzled by my splendor.”
“Youaresplendid, if you wish to know the truth. I like this gentler, imperfect you much better than the Greek god standing on a pedestal for all the world to admire. You are approachable and engaging like this. It is very hard to talk to you when you are standing on that Olympian pedestal.”
“I was never a Greek god, and as for that pedestal… I think it has completely shattered,” he said quietly. “Give me a few minutes to make myself presentable.”
Elmer bounded in at that moment, his smile typically cheerful. “Lady Imogen said you needed assistance, m’lord.”
“I do, Elmer. You are just in time.”
Ella excused herself and closed the door on her way out to lend them privacy. She stood outside his room, preferring not to get involved with other chores. Her wait turned out to be closer to fifteen or twenty minutes. Imogen had returned with the pushchair in the meantime, so they waited together by the door and passed the time chatting.
The other patients were now being escorted to the assembly room by the hospital orderlies and soldiers from the fort who had also been invited to the recital. There was nothing for Imogen and her to do but wait for Caden to finish readying himself. “We are only going to sit outside,” Ella muttered. “One would think he was dressing for a formal ball.”
Imogen poked her. “He likes you and wants to look good for you.”
Ella sighed. “He does not need to go to the trouble. I already think he is the handsomest man in England, and I like him more than is wise.”
“I knew it!” Imogen took her hand. “Just be careful, Ella. I can see he likes you, too. But he is still quite haunted.”
“I know. This is why I need to tread carefully around him. There is so much anger that still needs to flow out of him.”
Imogen frowned. “What if he loses control and hits you?”
“No, he never will. He has too strong a sense of honor. But I would not be surprised if he exploded one day and began tossing furniture about like a wild ape. Nor would I want to be one of his superior officers trying to give him orders. Even with broken limbs, he can still pick them up and hurl them through the window. Good thing his room is on the ground level. They’d only fall into the bushes.”
“Your wild ape is ready,” Caden said with a chuckle, obviously having opened the door and overheard their conversation.
Ella blushed as she stared at him. “You heard?”
He nodded. “Your description is probably accurate, especially that part about my never hurting you. I’m glad you know it, Ella.”
“I do.”
He had washed his hair and shaved his overnight growth of beard. Those dark eyes of his were sharp and assessing. He had donned breeches and a fresh shirt, and wore hospital-issued slippers on his feet.
Ella had to look up at him to meet his gaze, for the top of her head barely reached his shoulders.
