Page 65 of The Moonstone Hero
Mr. Hawke was to take them into Moonstone Landing as he always did. He arrived at the stroke of nine, just as the clock in the entry hall began to bong. They hopped into his wagon, eager to head into the village. “Please take us straight to the hospital,” Ella said.
“All right, lovies. Shall I pick you up from there as well?”
Ella shook her head. “No, we will keep to our regular routine and meet you by Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop.”
“She needs to drown her sorrows in lemon cake,” Imogen added. “I shall commiserate and eat an entire cake of my own.”
He cast Ella a pitying look, then snapped the reins to get his reliable mare moving.
They bounced and jounced in the rickety wagon all the way from Westgate Hall and down the high street. Ella loved this ride, and had such fond memories of traveling in Mr. Hawke’s rattletrap over the years. They were lumbering past the Kestrel Inn when they saw Elmer running toward them and waving his arms. “Stop the wagon, Mr. Hawke,” Ella cried. “I think Elmer Angel is trying to get our attention.”
She hoped everything was all right. Her first thought was for Caden. He and his grandfather’s entourage had intended to leave at first light. But had something soured their plans?
Was Caden hurt?
The lad was out of breath by the time he reached them. Ella reached out a hand to help him into the wagon. “What’s wrong, Elmer?”
“Nothing, m’lady.”
“Is it about Lord Mersey? Are he and his entourage still at the hospital?” Imogen asked, since she was obviously thinking the same as Ella.
Elmer shook his head. “No, they are gone.”
Ella’s stomach began to churn. Losing Caden now felt so final.
“But he gave me this packet and told me…” The boy handed it to Ella. “You had better hold on to it. I’m afraid to lose it. I’ve never seen so much money in all my life.”
Now Ella was completely confused. “Lord Mersey gave you fistfuls of money?”
The boy nodded. “Piles of it, meant for you.”
Ella frowned, for this did not sound right. She was secure financially. Why would Caden give her this?
Elmer regarded her in dismay. “He gave me instructions. But the jeweler’s shop is not yet open, and I would not know what to choose.” He shoved the packet into her hands.
She opened it carefully. If there were bank notes inside, she did not want them to fall out or fly off in the breeze. To her surprise, she counted over a hundred pounds. “Why in heaven’s name did Lord Mersey give you this?”
Elmer pointed to the letter tucked in with it.
Imogen plucked it out and began to read aloud. “‘Elmer, I am trusting you to purchase one item of jewelry or other gift Lady Ella might like each week that I am gone. Nothing extravagantor too ornate, because she will not wear it. A simple necklace with an opal. Small pearl earrings. A heart locket. A shawl for colder days. A cameo pin. Lace ribbons. Poetry books, because she loves them so much. Ask Lady Imogen’s advice if you cannot choose. She knows Lady Ella’s tastes better than anyone. Do not let on to Lady Ella what I have asked you to do. I want these gifts to be a surprise. Insert a note in each that says,Always in my heart,but do not include my name on the chance these notes fall into the wrong hands. I hope she will know they are from me.’”
“Oh.” Elmer glanced at Ella. “I did not read that far down. I’m so sorry. I’ve ruined your surprise.”
“No, you haven’t at all.” Ella shook with relief and then broke down in tears.
This was Caden’s way of thinking of her, of showing her that he was not going to forget her. Writing the note itself was dangerous, for the reporters would have made much of it had they gotten their hands on it. His grandfather would have been apoplectic if he saw it.
She supposed this was the reason for requiring anonymity. But Caden knew he could trust Elmer with that letter, with the funds, and with his instructions written from the heart.
It was not the gifts or the ridiculous amount he meant Elmer to spend each week that had her in tears. It was that Caden was giving her a little of himself week by week.
Imogen put an arm around her. “Seems we have our answer, don’t we? I knew he loved you. Now, all he has to do is tell you.”
Ella had no idea when that would be.
It did not matter at the moment. Her heart was soaring.
There was one jewelry shop in Moonstone Landing, which had opened recently next to the Kestrel Inn. Ella had not been inside before. Instead of riding to the hospital, they hopped off Mr. Hawke’s wagon, arranged to meet him at the usual hour in front of Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop, then went into the inn’s diningroom and had a pot of tea while waiting for the jewelry shop to open.
