Page 49 of The Moonstone Hero
Now, he was to have an early supper with Ella, Imogen, and their aunt and uncle, after which Caden meant to speak privately with the Marquess of Burness.
“We do not stand on formality here, Lord Mersey,” the marquess said, striding out of his elegant manor house to greet them upon their return. “Did you enjoy the outing?”
Caden dismounted. “Yes, my lord. It was a perfect day.”
“Good. Good. Call me Cormac. May I call you Caden?”
“Yes, of course.”
“And you may call me Phoebe,” his wife said, scurrying out of the house to stand beside her husband, subtly protective of the man and his lack of an arm.
Would Ella be as protective of him?
Caden knew his wounds were going to heal in time. It was his arrogance and impatience that needed tempering. He could see Ella standing beside him, giving his arm a discreet pinch whenever his unheroic nature came out and he behaved like an arse.
The very idea had him grinning as he strode to Ella’s side to assist her out of the saddle. One of the Burness grooms came running out to help Imogen down from her docile mare. Mr. Hawke had followed them in his wagon, but now handed over Caden’s crutches and bade them all a good evening as he returned to Moonstone Cottage. The cottage was the neighboring property to Westgate Hall and would not take him long to reach.
Moonstone Cottage had also been the home of the village’s local sea captain hero, Brioc Taran Arundel. He had built it and resided there until his death. Ella had told him all about this valiant man and the history of the house after his death. About a year after he had passed, Phoebe’s aunt acquired it from his estate, ghost and all.
He studied Ella and her family from beneath hooded lids. They were so connected to Moonstone Landing with all its history and lore.
Caden had never felt connected to his family or their properties. His parents had died when he was but a child, and he was then put in his grandfather’s care. The two of them together were like setting off Greek fire, the sort that burned hot and fast and never died out. They were always arguing about one thing or another.
Perhaps they were too much alike, both of them stubborn, arrogant, and impatient. Neither would bend to the other—although Caden probably should have been the one to bend, since his grandfather held the ducal title.
Caden knew he would one day become the Duke of Seaton, yet he felt no tug at his soul for the magnificent estate that had served as the family seat for centuries. Nor did he feel any particular affinity for their other holdings. For quite some time now he’d understood it wasn’t just the land that mattered. People worked the land. They worked the mills. Sailed the Seaton ships. Maintained his grandfather’s stately homes. Maids, butlers, housekeepers, valets, cooks, gardeners, grooms, estate managers, caretakers.
It was time to get to know them all, put names to their faces and show them that he cared for their well-being. This would probably rankle his grandfather, who had absolutely no sentiment in him. The old goat cared only for increasing his wealth and power.
He wasn’t all bad, however. The properties were managed efficiently and all seemed profitable. Those who worked their lands were content and their living secure.
But what did Cadenreallyknow about the workings of the Seaton assets? The estate managers only showed him what his grandfather wanted him to see. He should have probed deeper, demanded more information. But he’d let the matter slide because his military duties often took him away from home, especially this last tour of duty that landed him in West Africa.
Well, things were going to change once he was through with his unavoidable “hero” tour.
He and the marquess chatted amiably as he was shown around Westgate Hall. The man was obviously proud of the large, airy rooms, and the spectacular view his home afforded of the sea. Phoebe introduced him to their energetic twin boys,then remained behind in the nursery quarters to tend to the little heathens, as Cormac jokingly called them.
Ella and Imogen had retired to their bedchamber to change out of their riding habits and dress properly for supper.
Caden and Cormac continued alone on their tour, somehow forming a silent bond due to their injuries. Caden’s leg had tired out, so he had reverted to relying on his crutches.
“We have our own beach,” Cormac said. “All the homes in the area do. It is just the way the outcroppings formed. The rocks jut out just enough to give each of us privacy. When the tide is out, one can easily walk around them to the neighboring beach.”
“Does it not get a bit wearying to be so close to family?”
“I was afraid it might, but it hasn’t at all. Phoebe’s sister, Chloe, and her husband, Major Brennan, reside at Moonstone Cottage, but he is busy every day with the fort and hospital. Chloe often stops by to visit Phoebe, but she never imposes. Much of the time the two of them are off at St. Austell Grange working with their eldest sister, Henley, on their ladies auxiliary affairs.”
“Sounds very domestic.”
Cormac groaned. “Yes, sometimes it is a bit too much for me. But I still wouldn’t trade any of it to be back in London. Nor would I ever go back to my old ways. I wasn’t just a rake. I was arrogant, insufferable, and a monumental arse, on top of it.”
Caden grinned. “So I’ve heard.”
“Gad, do my nieces talk about me? I was always on my best behavior around those sweet girls. And I have reformed since meeting Phoebe. I cannot imagine my life without her. It must be obvious ours is a love match. But it is more than that. From the moment I met her, even as she was railing at me and calling me a depraved, debauched scoundrel—which I was—there was something endearing about her. She completely ignored that I had lost my arm. She refused to see me as someone less, andyanked me out of the mud hole I was wallowing in. I credit her with restoring my dignity.”
“Your nieces adore her, it is obvious.”
“Phoebe is very good with all of us. Perhaps a little too good when it comes to my nieces, because they want to be here instead of London. My brother is not too happy about that, especially with Ella on the Marriage Mart and already refusing offers. But that discussion is one you and I will have another day soon.”
