Page 3 of The Moonstone Hero
“The Earl of Maxton and the Earl of Whitfield.” She stared back at him, awaiting his insulting comments.
He merely gave a dismissive snort. “Which one will you choose?”
“How is that any of your business?”
He grinned. “It isn’t, I suppose. Those were the two drunkards I had to break apart last Season. They were fighting over you?”
She nibbled her lip as she nodded. “I certainly gave them no encouragement.”
“I did not mean to suggest you did. Of all the young ladies making their debuts last Season, you were the last I would ever accuse of manipulating suitors. You were refreshingly honest; I will give you that.”
She put a hand to her ear in jest. “Wait, was that a compliment I heard escape your lips? Acompliment, Caden?”
He managed a chuckle, then winced and put a hand to his side to quell the stitch of pain. “It is nothing more than a statement of fact. But it is one of the reasons I noticed you and asked to claim the supper dance. One leaves these affairs exhausted trying to figure out who is lying to you and who is not. For me, I just assume all the young ladies are lying to me. They want the title, not the man.”
“Yes, it is one of the aspects I hate most about the Marriage Mart. There is little romantic about making a match there. Mostly, it is a horse auction.”
He glanced down at himself. “So, what do you think? Am I still a fine stallion?”
She cast him a mirthful smile. “You may appear splendid at first glance, but you are not nearly so fine as you think.”
“I’m not?” His grin was unguarded, and its gentleness caused her heart to flutter again.
“Decidedly not. You are surly and unmanageable. Prone to colic, I expect. You certainly give others colic whenever they are around you,” she muttered, the comment getting another grinout of him. “You are also arrogant, acerbic, and, as I have already mentioned, generally insufferable.”
He chuckled. “Ah, thank you, Ella. See, this is why I held out hope for you. It was rather refreshing to hear you insult me to my face when we danced the waltz last year.”
“Can you blame me? All you did the entire time we twirled around the floor was insinuate I only wanted you for your wealth and title. Rest assured, I had no interest in digging into your pockets for gold back then. Nor do I care to do so now.”
“I know. You were the only one who ever gave me the set-down I deserved. Obviously, I was goading you.”
“And I rose to the bait.”
“It wasn’t bait. It was a test, and you were the only one who passed it. All those othertondiamonds just smiled and fawned over me, pretending to find me charming—which I am not, as you well know—but they were never going to tell me the truth because I am heir to the elderly Duke of Seaton. They thought because he is getting on in years that I would be duke soon. They could not be more wrong. My grandfather is a tough old bird and has more strength in him than many men in their prime.”
“Do not be too hard on the ladies, Caden. Many of them are forced to find a rich husband in order to save their family from financial ruin. I am fortunate with mine. My father is cautious and wise. He loves me and Imogen, and will never leave us in dire straits. Nor would my Uncle Cormac—he’s the Marquess of Burness. He has settled here in Moonstone Landing, and my sister and I have been visiting him every summer since we were little girls.”
Caden shook his head and laughed. “Do not give me that family tree again. But I know of Burness. Every soldier does. His bravery is legendary.”
“He acquired Westgate Hall and resides there now with Phoebe and their twin boys. He and the Duke of Malvernhave settled here permanently, only returning to London when Parliament is in session. Oh, they still have their other estates to manage, but their lives are here. Major Brennan, too. He is actually Viscount Brennan, but hates for us to refer to him as that. The Duke of Claymore has also settled here, but Brenna, his wife, was born and raised in Moonstone Landing, so it is little surprise they decided to remain. Claymore’s mother and orphaned nephew live with them.”
“Ella, stop tossing names at me. I know of them all. However, I do not want to see any of them… Maybe Burness, though. He’s the only one who might understand.”
“I could arrange it. As I said, he is my uncle and dotes on me and Imogen. Our best memories are of summers here with him. He’s a wonderful man and would be—”
“I know of his reputation. Good, honest, a bit of an arse.”
“Just like you,” she teased.
He laughed. “Yes, but do not invite him yet. I am not ready.”
She nodded. “All right.”
He closed his eyes a moment, as though absorbing the weight of the world he had placed upon his shoulders. She wondered whether he had drifted off to sleep, for his every movement seemed painful and drained him. He must have expended quite a bit of anger just throwing that cup at her.
As his breathing evened, she quietly rose to walk to the window and look at the view of the glistening sea visible from his room. The curtains were drawn aside to allow in the sunlight, and all the windows were open to allow in the cooling breeze.
The room itself was sunny and cheerful, but she did not know if Caden was in any condition to appreciate the serenity that surrounded him.
