Page 29 of The Moonstone Hero
He cast her a soft smile.
“Wait here,” she said, and hurried over to the strawberry beds to pick a few for him. “Try them, Caden. What do you think? Delicious, aren’t they?”
That darkness in his eyes faded a bit. “Yes. Spectacular.”
“Oh, and look! We have rabbits, too.” Several hopped past them.
“I can see why you love it here.” Caden eased back in his pushchair and stretched his legs in front of him. His shoulders spilled over the back of the chair because he really was too big forit. But he did not seem to mind. He closed his eyes and listened as Lady Dowling now played a country reel.
The tune was playful and melodic.
Ella began to sway to the lively lilt of the song.
She did not miss much about London, but she could not deny her enjoyment of dancing. They did not hold many dances here, but there was one coming up at the Kestrel Inn soon, a little over a week from now. It was Moonstone Landing’s version of an assembly ball.
But far more rustic. Few women had silks to wear or fancy jewels. Still, the ladies dressed up in their finest muslins and the men in their Sunday best. It was lots of fun.
Caden’s eyes were now open and trained on her. “I remember dancing with you, Ella. That supper waltz we shared.”
She tingled, remembering it very well. “You were quite magnificent,” she said, her voice light and teasing.
“So were you. I think it was the last time I felt…unencumbered. Happy.” His expression was now serious, those dark eyes of his burning into her soul, and his voice deep and resonant as he said, “I want to dance with you again.”
Oh, dear heaven.
She wanted this too.
“Promise me a dance before I leave here, Ella.”
His voice was filled with such an aching need that she knew she could never deny him. “Of course, but will you be well enough to manage it?”
“Yes—just name the time and place, and I’ll be there.”
Midnight.
On the beach.
Me in his arms under a full, silver moon.
Moonstones shining beneath the waves.
She could not reveal that dream to him.
Instead, she cleared her throat. “Well, there is an assembly ball to be held soon at the Kestrel Inn. I was just thinking of it, by coincidence. You’ll have some work to do to get yourself in shape by then. There’s still time, but you mustn’t overdo it.”
“I won’t.” But his expression was determined, and Caden never was the sort to do anything cautiously.
“I’ll help you with whatever exercises the doctor prescribes.”
“No, Ella. Not you.”
His refusal surprised her. “Why not me? I would never criticize you or think less of you. Why am I not permitted to help you?”
A muscle twitched in his jaw.
“Caden?” She frowned lightly when he did not immediately respond. “You are not thinking of asking Lady Dowling, are you?”
He looked at her, stunned. Then he threw his head back and laughed. “I am not that much of a glutton for punishment.”
