Page 53 of The Moonstone Hero
Chapter Ten
Caden was inpain the following day.
He had overdone it badly yesterday, and now every bone in his body ached. Ribs. Leg. Wrist. Even his head throbbed at the spot where his skull had been struck during that terrible battle. Not even Elmer’s boundless cheer could get him moving.
“No exercises today, Elmer,” he said with a groan, and tucked the covers around his body.
The lad set down the breakfast tray he had carried in. “Are you feeling ill, my lord? Should I summon the doctor?”
“No, I’m just spent from yesterday’s outing.”
Elmer began to move about the room, drawing aside the curtains and opening the window to allow in the warm sea air. “Does this mean you will not attend tonight’s assembly ball at the Kestrel Inn?”
“I still plan to go to that. What did you bring me for breakfast?”
“The usual, eggs and sausages.” He brought the tray closer and helped Caden to sit up. “You still have your appetite. That’s a good sign.”
Caden hoped so.
He wanted to see Ella tonight. It had been a little over a year since they had shared that supper dance. He wanted to waltz with her again, hold her in his arms before he left Moonstone Landing for good.
Yes, he needed to dance with her and kiss her.
Well, he had gotten his kiss yesterday. The dance was not so important, he supposed. They could sit together and talk.
He shoveled the eggs into his mouth, for he was surprisingly hungry.
“My lord, what’s this?” Elmer unfurled the sketch Imogen had given him. “Oh my. Did Lady Imogen draw this? It is brilliant.”
Blast.
Caden hadn’t meant for anyone to see it. The boy was like a little squirrel, always scampering about, digging into his belongings and setting things in order. “Yes, she’s very talented.”
Elmer nodded. “She certainly captured the essence of you and Lady Ella. I knew you liked her.”
“I like lots of ladies.”
“No, you don’t. You haven’t looked at anyone other than her. And now you want to go to the dance at the Kestrel Inn because she will be there. You’re going to need your sticks if you feel as bad as you look right now.”
“Elmer, go away.”
“I’ll have the doctor look in on you. You might need a bit of laudanum to ease the ache in your bones. Just a little won’t hurt you. I’ll come back later to help you wash and shave. I came in earlier to take your uniform and have it refreshed.”
Caden grunted a thank you, for he did want to look his best tonight.
He finished his breakfast, endured Dr. Hewitt’s examination and lecture, and took a little laudanum that knocked him out for several hours. He awoke again around noon and felt well enough to get out of bed. He took up his crutches and made his way over to the window. The sky had been overcast earlier in the day, but appeared clear enough now.
If there was to be any rain, he hoped it would pass quickly, because having everyone arrive soaking wet to the dance at the Kestrel Inn would put a damper on any romantic musings. Not that he had anything in mind beyond a dance—assuming he was able—or a walk in the inn’s lovely garden.
As he peered down into the hospital’s courtyard, he was surprised to see Ella working on the flowerbeds. This was not her week to tend them, but she did seem to enjoy working in the garden, so he assumed she had taken over Imogen’s rotation for the day. Would she come up to see him afterward? He yearned for more time with her but did not want her to see him as he looked now, unwashed and with a day’s growth of beard darkening his jaw.
He rubbed a hand over the itchy stubble.
She must have sensed him looking down on her, for she turned suddenly and put her hand over her eyes to shade them as she stared at his window. Then she smiled and waved to him. He acknowledged her, then retreated back to bed.
He smothered his disappointment when Elmer returned a short while later and mentioned Ella had returned to Westgate Hall.
After making himself presentable with Elmer’s assistance—perhaps he ought to offer the boy a job as his personal valet and take him along on his tour of England—Caden went to the regular wards and spent time talking to the injured men, some of whom were newly arrived and scared about their fate.
