Page 67 of The Moonstone Hero
“We need to add a note in the box.” He turned to Imogen for support.
“Oh, yes,” Imogen said. “We must include a note, and it must say,Always in my heart. Please do not ask what this is about. We are not permitted to say.”
Miss Harrow nodded. “You need not worry. We are discreet here. I have some very pretty card stock in the back for just such a thing. Would you like me to write it for you? I assure you, my penmanship is quite excellent.”
Elmer breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, please. I’m not very good at my letters. My teacher says it is chicken scratch. I did not know how I was going to manage writing that note.”
“You, Elmer?” his cousin remarked, once again regarding the lad dubiously.
“Yes, me. I am taking care of this delicate matter for a friend.”
“A friend, you say?” Amos folded his arms across his chest. “Since when do you have wealthy friends? What is really going on?”
“None of your business. We didn’t steal it. Lady Ella and Lady Imogen are heiresses, and you are just getting us angry now.”
Miss Harrow cleared her throat. “That will be all, Amos. Thank you, Lady Ella. Lady Imogen. Please do come back soon. We have many beautiful items and are constantly getting in new stock.”
Elmer cast his cousin a smug smirk, then turned to Miss Harrow. “Thank you, ma’am. We shall be back next week.”
Although it seemed unnecessary to Ella, the gift was wrapped in a beautiful box, and the note was included in it.Always in my heart.She had felt so sad at the start of the day, but this cheered her up. These little notes were what she would truly treasure. She now looked forward to next week and the one she would find inside the next gift.
Lord Fielding happened to be walking out of the Kestrel Inn at the same moment they walked out of the jeweler’s. He saw them and came over to greet them. “What a pretty box. A gift for you, Lady Ella?” he asked, since she was holding it and probably looking at it too lovingly.
“It is a surprise for a friend,” Imogen said, completely believable in her lie.
Of course, Lord Fielding had only to question Miss Harrow or Amos and he would figure out the truth. Ella hoped he was too much of a gentleman to investigate this purchase.
Elmer coughed. “I had better get back to the hospital.” He tore off without another word.
“We are due at the hospital as well,” Ella said.
“How long will you be occupied?” Lord Fielding asked. “May I invite you both for lunch at the inn? I know I shall see you again tonight at your uncle’s home, but I hope you will indulge me anyway.”
Ella only needed to tend to the garden that was fairly well along and at this point mostly tended itself. She and Imogen were then going to spend the rest of the morning reading to the soldiers or helping them write letters. She was about to politely decline when Imogen surprised her by accepting the invitation for them.
Lord Fielding was delighted and accompanied them as they walked down the high street toward the hospital. However, he bade them farewell at the fort. “I have business with Major Brennan. Shouldn’t take long. I will see you at the Kestrel Inn at noon.”
She and Imogen walked on.
Once they were out of earshot, Ella turned to her sister. “Why did you accept his invitation? Now he is going to ask all sorts of questions about this gift box, not to mention ask about Caden—whom, as you pointed out to me last night, he views as a rival for my affections.”
“Honestly, Ella. You have dozens of gentlemen interested in you. Yet you behave as though you just came out of a convent and have never spoken to a man before. The gift is none of his business. Caden is gone, and you have no idea where he is going next. If you are concerned about being questioned by Lord Fielding, then you ought to toss questions at him first. Ask about his racehorses. That will keep him talking throughout our meal.”
“He doesn’t own racehorses… At least, not that I am aware.”
Imogen shook her head and laughed. “Must I teach you everything? All these peers own racehorses. Or used to own racehorses. Or wish they owned them. Or have good friends whoown them. Or just purchased a rippingly handsome stallion he might try out at one of the smaller racecourses. Trust me, he will take the bait.”
Ella joined in the laughter. “I don’t know how you got so much wiser than me, and you are not even out in Society yet.”
“I don’t know very much,” her sister said with a shrug, “but I do understand men. And before you gasp, let me assure you it is not from any actual experience. But I observe people. I notice their expressions, sense what they are feeling or what they are trying to hide. It is the artist in me that recognizes emotions.”
“What does the artist in you say about Lord Fielding? Is he going to be a problem for Caden?”
Imogen pursed her lips as she contemplated her response. “I don’t know enough about him yet. I’ll tell you after we dine with him at the Kestrel Inn. I don’t think he would ever do anything to harm Caden, at least not politically. However, he views Caden as a rival for your affections.”
Ella nodded, nibbling her lip as she fretted over this very thing. “I wish you had not accepted his invitation.”
“But this is the very reason why I thought it important to do so. The questions troubling both of us must be answered.”
