Page 38 of The Moonstone Hero
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
This was not quite what he’d hoped to hear, but Ella was always going to be honest with him. She and the major had brought him around to accepting this hero nonsense. He was not merely going to ride out the glory. He was going to blast a wide hole in everyone’s complacency and shake up the Houses of Parliament.
She was nibbling her lip as she continued to stare at him.
“What, Ella? You did not like me as the selfish, surly dolt. And now it appears you do not like me as the anointed defender of the people. What do you want me to be?”
“I want you to be exactly who you are, Caden. Insufferable, surly, but also valiant. I am fretting because I do not know where I fit in your plans.” She shook her head and sighed. “Maybe you have not figured this out either. It is not something to be decided in a matter of minutes. Are you hungry? Let’s stop at the Kestrel Inn for a bite.”
“All right.”
The inn, a surprisingly elegant structure just off the high street, was also a popular dining spot with the smart crowd who swelled the population of the village in the summer. Some members of Society, such as Ella’s family, had settled here permanently. Apparently, the Duke of Claymore had married one of Elmer’s cousins, a lass by the name of Brenna Angel, and moved his family here year round, as well.
Most of Society’s elite were merely leasing pretty cottages by the sea for the summer months. Caden recognized several lords and ladies as he walked into the inn, and they recognized him.
Ella also introduced him to Thaddius Angel, the innkeeper. “Angel? That name crops up with alarming regularity around here,” Caden remarked.
The amiable young man laughed. “Yes, there are plenty of Angels in Moonstone Landing.”
Indeed, Caden realized this family mostly ran the village, and they were all so irritatingly cheerful. Elmer’s father was constable, an uncle ran the Three Lions tavern, the young innkeeper was a cousin of Elmer’s—not to mention the three female cousins who had married into the peerage. Even the bank manager was an Angel, something Caden had found out the other day when attempting to establish his credit.
Thaddius led them to the finest table in the dining room. “Order whatever you and Lady Ella like, my lord. Compliments of the house.”
Caden frowned. “No, Mr. Angel. It isn’t necessary. I shall pay our way.”
The young man turned quite serious. “I think you have already paid more than your share. Has he not, Lady Ella?”
It did not sit well with Caden, but he understood this was how things were going to be for a while going forward. He ceased making a fuss and graciously thanked him.
Acquaintances now approached him, several lords and ladies he knew from his days as an eligible bachelor in London. He introduced them to Ella, although he expected most of them knew her or knew of her since she had made a brilliant debut.
“Yes, I remember you, Lord Waring,” Ella said with an easy charm. “How did your horse do at the Newmarket races? I recall you were testing him out before attempting to race him at Ascot.”
“Indeed, I am honored you remember our conversation,” Lord Waring replied, obviously quite taken with Ella. “I was certain I had bored you to tears.”
She graced him with one of her radiant smiles. “I was not bored at all. How did he do?”
“Alas, not well.” But the fact she had remembered their conversation now had Lord Waring in raptures.
Caden stifled a grumble. Ella had gained another admirer. That she had done it so easily was rather disconcerting. Not that Ella wasflirtingwith the man. She wasn’t at all, just showing her natural warmth and compassion.
When Lord Waring learned she was to attend the Kestrel Inn’s assembly ball in two days’ time, he hurriedly claimed a dance from her.
“Yes, I shall be delighted,” she replied.
Blast, did she have to smile so prettily? Caden tried not to turn into a jealous ape. He wanted Ella all to himself, and yet he was not making any motions to court her. She had to be wondering what was on his mind.
He was still trying to figure it out.
He wanted Ella in his life. But he did not want her hurt by the enemies he was bound to make.
Since his head was now pounding, he put those thoughts aside and ordered his meal. The glazed ham came on a bed of mashed potatoes and a hearty dollop of leeks, over which was poured a white sauce containing wine and chunks of apple that turned out to be quite tasty. Ella had ordered a smoked haddock, apparently a favorite of hers, since she had tried to get him to try some at the fish market.
Their meal was occasionally interrupted by well-wishers, but on the whole it was a pleasant hour. When he and Ella finished, they strolled over to the mercantile. It did not escape his notice that she was purposely slowing down for him, often finding a reason to stop and rest without making it obvious she was doing it because of him.
Mr. Bedwell tripped over himself to accommodate Caden the moment he and Ella entered his mercantile establishment. “A pleasure to see you here, my lord. Young Elmer has been giving us all updates on your health. We are glad to see you have vastly improved.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bedwell.” Caden purchased shaving supplies—not that he needed them at the moment, since the hospital seemed to be well equipped and even had a barber who came around to shave beards and pull the occasional tooth.
