Page 37 of The Moonstone Hero
But he knew why they were gathering around him. The accounts of his return to England were still front-page news. He sold papers. He was everyone’s hero. Lord knew why he had been chosen out of all the men as brave or braver than himself. However, in the weeks since his return, he had grown to understand the importance of the role he needed to assume for the sake of his fellow soldiers. He also understood whathe represented to the families worrying about their sons and husbands still in the fight.
For the first time in his life, he believed he could play the role of hero. Not merely play at it, but do something useful and actually heroic.
Ella had stepped back, beautiful and smiling, to allow him to bask in the glory on his own. He drew her back to his side.
Was she not the best part of him?
Yes, she was a part of him. It was useless to deny it.
He was not the romantic sort to fawn and dote, but she had to know his feelings… Well, he had certainly muddled them, hadn’t he? This was something he needed to rectify soon. Now that he was finally thinking clearly, he understood how this “hero” business would play out.
He also understood that the only thing better than a hero was a hero who was in love with a lovely English rose. Ella was certainly that—sweet and charming. She would capture the hearts of every man, woman, and child in England.
Not even his grandfather would dare interfere or risk being portrayed as the ogre by the newspapers.
In truth, why should his grandfather refuse their match? Ella was eminently suitable. Excellent bloodlines. Excellent connections. Sweet as sugar, and beautiful in a warm and approachable way.
His heart soared whenever she looked at him. She had those magical fairy eyes.
He must have shaken a hundred hands and received almost as many kisses by the time they made it the short distance to the village green. Ella drew him over to a monument standing in the green that she wanted him to see. “Please, Caden. It will only take a moment.”
“All right.”
His legs were tiring and his arms were sore from leaning on his crutches, but this was important to her, so he followed her to the statue and listened while she read the inscription on the plaque at its base and explained why it had been placed here. “This is the tribute to Captain Brioc Taran Arundel,” Ella said, her voice quite reverential. “He saved the lives of the village children.”
“I heard the story. Everyone has gone out of their way to tell me. I understand he saved several of Elmer’s cousins from drowning.”
She nodded. “There were ten children trapped on the sinking sloop the day that horrible squall hit and pushed their vessel against the rocks. Captain Arundel was the one who sailed out to them, braving the terrible wind and waves, and saved them all. I think you are very much like him.”
Caden arched an eyebrow. “Me? I am no sailor.”
“You know I am not talking about sailing boats. I am referring to your valor. You have it, Caden. You were born with that sense of honor in your blood. You cannot hide it and you cannot escape it.”
He snorted.
“Fine, be that way. But you do not fool me. There is a valiant man inside of you, so stop denying it. Everyone sees it, even if you refuse to acknowledge the obvious. I just want you to know how proud I am of you.”
“Ella,” he said with a groan, “I haven’t done anything yet.”
“You have already proven your merit. All you have not done yet is allow others to congratulate you for it. Today was a good start.”
“It felt odd to be idolized like that.”
“You give people hope. Keep doing this, Caden. Well, you really started several days ago when you walked out of your fancy hospital room and began speaking to the wounded soldiersrecovering in the wards. It is one thing for Fionn to do this, to show he cares. But his war ended years ago. It was more important for you to do this. You fought beside them… Oh, not their specific regiments, and perhaps not the same enemy. But your battles are fresh, and you experienced what they experienced. This is why they respond to you when you show them compassion and respect.”
“How could I not?”
“Do you think the powerful lords in London care about them the way you do? You must be their voice and shout loudly about their plight. You are the grandson of a duke and his heir. These soldiers all know you could have bought out your commission. You stayed and fought alongside them. Even now, you could have resumed your fancy life. But in coming to them, talking to them and listening, you showed that you care about them and are one of them. They would fight for you and die for you.”
Caden shook his head. “Most of those men are never going back. The army will declare them unfit for fighting and let them go. This is the real problem. What is to become of them if they do not have families to take them in?”
“Then you must defend them.”
“I know. This is something I will address on my ‘I am abloodyhero’ tour. Major Brennan convinced me this is something I must do. But I am also going to destroy the territorial governor and other greedy men like him the Crown appoints. They line their pockets, do nothing for advancing England’s interests, and needlessly cause the loss of lives.”
She looked up at him, obviously surprised. “Well, you are on quite the crusade.”
“Yes, I never do anything by half measures.” He cast her a wry smile. “Do you regret getting me started on this path? Am I too much for you to handle, Ella?”
