Page 72 of The Moonstone Hero
She shook her head again and sighed. Imogen would accuse her of thinking too hard. But what was so wrong with pointing Lord Fielding in the direction of a charming young lady who actually liked him inthatway?
They thanked Miss Harrow, bade good day to Lord Fielding, who was now asking the young woman to show him some other pieces, and walked out with their purchases. Elmer excused himself and hurried off to the hospital to assist the wounded. He was a favorite with the patients and staff, since he was always helpful and naturally cheerful, something much needed amid these depressing circumstances.
Before Ella and Imogen had gotten very far down the high street, Lord Fielding hurried out of Miss Harrow’s shop and caught up to them. “May I invite you to tea at Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop?”
“That is very kind of you,” Ella said politely, “but we—”
“Would be delighted,” Imogen cut in.
Ella nudged her sister’s foot lightly with the toe of her walking boot. What was Imogen doing?
“Excellent.” He escorted them across the street and greeted Mrs. Halsey as though she were an old friend. Was he trying to insinuate himself into the daily life in Moonstone Landing? Not that it was a bad idea. Was this not the perfect place to find love?
Just not with me,Ella prayed.
Her thoughts went back to Miss Harrow.
If three cousins in the Angel family managed to marry into the peerage, why couldn’t Miss Harrow do the same? Not that Ella knew anything about the young woman, but she and Imogen could do a little investigating on their own. If they deemed her suitable for Lord Fielding, why not encourage a match? Miss Harrow obviously liked him—Ella could tell by the way she blushed and patted her hair while talking to him.
She would mention it to Imogen later.
The tea shop was busy, so Mrs. Halsey motioned for them to take any empty table. There was only one that was unoccupied, the lovely corner table by the window. It was slightly removed from the others and would offer them privacy as they spoke.
Mrs. Halsey’s daughter bustled over to take their orders. Ella and Imogen, despite having finished an entire pot of tea at the Kestrel Inn less than an hour ago, ordered lemonades and the strawberry tarts that were always a favorite of Imogen’s. Lord Fielding ordered a coffee for himself.
Once they were served, they began to chat.
“What really brings you back to Moonstone Landing?” Imogen asked, biting into her tart.
“To see Ella, if you must know.”
Ella smothered a groan.
This was her worst fear.
But Lord Fielding leaned closer and grinned. “Not for myself, Ella. I am not blind to your feelings. As lovely as you are, I think you are too young for me…or perhaps I am too old for you. I would rather not think about it that way, since I am hardly gray-haired yet. However, I happened to be in York and saw Lord Mersey.”
Ella gasped at the mention of Caden. “You did?”
“I came back here to give you a message from him.”
She held her breath. Was it to say he loved her?
Oh, but she wanted to hear it from Caden himself. But any indication that he still thought about her and cared for her was welcome. “What did he say to you?”
“That he misses your broom.”
Ella had just taken a sip of her lemonade and choked it down the wrong pipe as she laughed.
Lord, why did Caden have to be such a clot? “Did he have anything else to say to me?” she managed to ask between coughs.
Fielding regarded her with concern. “Are you all right?”
She nodded and took several deep breaths. “Quite. Please go on.”
“That was all the message he wished me to deliver. I assume it is a private jest between the two of you. Care to share it with us? After all, I did come all the way down from York at his behest.”
“I suppose it is all right to tell you now.” She sighed. “I hit his grandfather with a broom.”
