Page 41 of The Moonstone Hero
The manor house itself was perched atop a hill overlooking a private beach. These natural rock formations formed outcroppings that hid one’s beach from the neighboring one. It happened that Moonstone Cottage was the property immediately to the right of Westgate Hall, so they would often skirt around the outcropping at low tide to visit Fionn and Chloe.
Moonstone Landing’s beach was off in the distance and not visible from her uncle’s home. However, when the sky was clear, one had only to look eastward to have a view of the village itself and its charming harbor.
“It has been a while since I sketched the countryside,” Imogen muttered as Ella helped her do up her hair. “I could draw you and Caden as we picnic together.”
“That is a fine idea. Just don’t be obvious about it.” Ella wanted a portrait of Caden that she could keep for herself to remember him. Also, Imogen had a way of capturing the honesty in a person’s eyes. If Caden truly loved her, Imogen would notice and bring it out in the drawing.
But she was not going to think about this right now, for it was enough to enjoy the sunshine and vibrant blue sky.
They walked downstairs and joined her aunt and uncle by the stable. Uncle Cormac was a stern man, but he had always been exceedingly gentle with them. They ran to him and hugged him in turn. He laughed and gave them each a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t you girls look lovely?”
They hugged him again.
“Don’t I get a hug, too?” Phoebe remarked.
“Of course.” Ella threw her arms around her aunt. Imogen then did the same.
Aunt Phoebe was always a delight and had taught Imogen all she knew about drawing—which was quite a lot, because she was talented in her own right and could have made a name for herself even in the men’s world of art.
“I have invited Lord Mersey to join us for supper tonight,” Uncle Cormac said, now guiding the docile mare Ella was to ride out of the stable.
Phoebe led out an equally gentle mare meant for Imogen. This was their aunt’s way of quietly helping out Uncle Cormac. He had lost his left arm shortly after the battle at Waterloo and still grew frustrated over every little thing he could not do for himself because of it. But Phoebe was always near, making no fuss as she stood by his side, her aim always to preserve his dignity.
Since he had only the one arm to lead out Ella’s horse, Phoebe casually took the reins of Imogen’s mount and led it out. Their groom led out the third horse, a beautiful black stallion by the name of Avenger that was readied for Caden to ride. Despite his name, the stallion actually had a good disposition, although he was still too much of a beast for Ella or Imogen to handle.
“Did he accept the supper invitation, Uncle Cormac?” Ella asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
“Yes, he did.”
She let out a breath. “Good. I think this means he is ready to talk to you about what happened during his last battle.”
“I hope so. Fionn says he is much improved since the day he arrived. I expect you had some influence on that.”
Ella shook her head. “No, actually, I think Fionn is the one who deserves the credit. Something changed in Caden after hespoke with him on the day of Lady Dowling’s piano recital. A resolve. A fresh purpose. An admirable goal to strive for, perhaps.”
“Has he said anything else to you?” Phoebe asked. “I mean about his intentions toward you.”
Ella pursed her lips as she gave the question thought. “Yes and no.”
Uncle Cormac frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Cormac! Your language,” Phoebe admonished him.
His frown deepened. “You know I don’t mince words. And I am sure ashellnot going to let anyone hurt Ella.”
Ella said nothing while the groom now helped her to mount the dappled mare known as Buttercup. But once she was in the saddle, and the groom had moved on to assist Imogen, she replied to her uncle. “It is a push and pull with him. I think he cares for me, but he doesn’t quite know where I will fit into his life…at least not at present, while his superiors want to send him around the country on what he calls his ‘I am abloodyhero’ tour.”
Her uncle laughed. “Don’t swear, Ella. It isn’t polite for a lady. Does he really call it that? I like his irreverent attitude.”
“So do I, but it also constrains him. He knows his smart mouth is going to get him into trouble, and he doesn’t want me near him when the repercussions occur.”
“Well, I cannot fault him for that,” her uncle admitted.
Ella patted her gentle mare. “He is always going to have a smart mouth that will get him into trouble. Will he push me away forever because of it? And why are men always so worried about thefragilefemales? First of all, we are not fragile. And it seems to me, if he truly loved me, then marriage to him would protect me better than leaving me here to be talked about as the poor, heartbroken girl he left behind.”
“I agree,” Phoebe said. “Cormac, he must be made to see sense. If he cares for Ella, then he ought to come right out like a man and declare himself. Is he not better off with the woman he loves standing beside him, ready to fight alongside him?”
Cormac shook his head. “Love, it isn’t always that easy. I will hear him out, all right?”
