Page 69 of The Moonstone Hero
Stafford had poured himself a drink and now made himself comfortable in one of the leather wing chairs by the hearth. “Will you be resigning your commission once this tour is over?”
“No. I can do more good if I remain in the Royal Marines. I just hope they don’t ship me out on a new assignment to the other side of the world.”
“That would silence you. But I doubt the public will stand for it, nor will your impressive allies. You know, all those dukes, marquesses, and earls in your corner. Not to mention the upstart reporters who will sell more newspapers because of you.”
Caden settled into the wing chair beside his friend. “Do you happen to know any upstart reporters I can trust?”
“I do, but if I gave you their names, then I would be losing my chance at an exclusive story from you. I haven’t quite forgiven you for not sharing that account of those mercenaries attacking the Ashanti chieftain’s wife and daughters. I would have written up a very poignant article about it.”
“I know. That story got out of hand fairly quickly. But you did do an excellent job of writing it up. Better than any of the other reporters, although even you made too much of it.”
“Are you jesting? Why do you keep shrugging off your valiant accomplishments? You single-handedly bested those mercenaries. Saving women and children by threatening to blow the leader’s brains out. It only enhanced your status as England’s hero.”
“And sold more newspapers.”
“Yes, that too. But do not dismiss the power of what you did. Every woman saw you as their hero, and every man wished they were you, performing that heroic deed. What you did is much more than a romantic tale. It is at the heart of who you are as a person.”
Caden laughed. “I have no idea who I am.”
“Stop being dense, will you? You are hope for the future. You are honor and kindness. You are strength and compassion. Do you think we reporters have lost so much of our humanity that we cannot see it in others? Not all of us have. But that moment of valor… Is this not the essence of your heroism?Yourhumanity and the dignity with which you dealt with others?”
Stafford set aside his drink and continued. “Don’t feel bad about not giving me that exclusive story. I would have been too philosophical if I had it all to myself. What that story needed was the lurid reporting it received.”
Caden sighed again. “Perhaps.”
“No perhaps about it. You know I’m right. Have you given more thought about you and Lady Ella?”
“She is always on my mind,” Caden admitted. “Why are you asking?”
“Thatis the story I want.”
Caden was surprised. Stafford was one of the most intelligent men he had ever met. “Is this not a more suitable topic for the scandal rags?”
“What is theLondon Chronicler, or any of the larger papers, other than a glorified gossip sheet? Oh, everyone will run this story. But I must have it first. Yes, this is the one I want.”
“All right. But there will be nothing to report for weeks yet.”
“I can wait,” Stafford said with a nod. “Nothing has more selling power than a love match between England’s hero and the Society beauty he wishes to marry.”
Caden rubbed the nape of his neck. “It could be months rather than weeks before I do anything about Ella. I am serious about protecting her.”
“Don’t keep her waiting too long. She is much in demand and will find someone else if you don’t act soon.”
“Not Ella. She is the sort who loves once and always.”
“Then why are you prolonging her agony?”
“I am protecting her,” Caden insisted.
“That girl is not afraid of a fight. I saw the way she dealt with your grandfather. When was the last time anyone dared swat him on the backside? I think he is still stunned by it.” Stafford shook his head and chuckled, but sobered after a moment. “Your grandfather is going to realize you are in love with her, if he hasn’t already.”
“Doubtful. He is so caught up in himself that he does not see half of what goes on around him. I’m doing my best to keep it that way when it comes to Ella.”
“Do not underestimate him or the toadies in his entourage. Why do you think he brings them along? It is to keep their eyes on you, and I can assure you they have noticed your bedroom activities. Or, should I say, your lack of them. Ladies are throwing themselves at you everywhere we go, yet you have taken none of them into your bed. This must have already been reported to your grandfather. Think about declaring your feelings for the girl. When you do, I want that exclusive.”
“All right, upon my honor.”
“Thank you.” Stafford sat back and smiled at him. “You know, I am quite a romantic at heart.”
