Page 74 of The Moonstone Hero
“If you know Lord Mersey as well as I suspect you do, then you will know he is not one to stop at half measures.”
This was what Ella feared most—that there would always be another wrong to right, another important cause to champion, and she would eventually be forgotten.
He slapped his hands to his thighs. “This talk is dry, and I do not wish to bore you with more of it. Just know that Lord Mersey has months of fighting ahead of him now that he has directly challenged his grandfather’s powerful crowd.”
“I wish we could help in some way,” Ella said.
“You’d help best by keeping out of this fight between him and his grandfather. This was the other message he wanted me to deliver to you, Ella. Stay out, because it is going to get intense, and he does not want you in the crossfire.”
She frowned. “I hate when men do this, try to shield us when we are just as willing as they are to fight.”
Lord Fielding regarded her closely. “Do not even attempt it. The ways they can hurt a sweet girl like you are not pretty. I assure you, men like that will stoop low indeed to get what theywant. Do not be naïve, Ella. There is a reason Mersey wanted you out of his way.”
“How long does he expect me to hide?”
“He did not tell me. I cannot say. We will know better once Parliament is back in session.”
*
Ella had alot to think about over the next few days.
While sad to leave Moonstone Landing, she was eager to return to London and be closer to the gladiatorial arena that Caden would be tossed into once he addressed Parliament. She was not certain yet how much she should trust Lord Fielding or whether she should consider him a friend. He claimed he had given up pursuing her, but she sensed this was not quite true.
As the days passed, she had tried to steer him into Miss Harrow’s shop a time or two. But he did not appear receptive to her hints…for now.
And just how reliable was Lord Fielding? Ella knew he was honorable, but the Marriage Mart seemed to have few rules when it came to securing the object of one’s desire. Some men deemed anything fair.
Women were no better, for she had encountered plenty of schemers in her first year out. This was precisely the reason Caden had been so distrustful of her at their first meeting. Every time they shared a dance or a conversation, he goaded and tested her.
In truth, he wassocynical and distrustful, she was surprised he was capable of believing in her as confidently as he did now.
Her head began to pound. She silently berated herself for dwelling on things that were not in her control.
Caden’s ordeal, for one. His grandfather for another. How far would he and his confederates go to stop Caden? Would they hurt her if they knew he cared for her?
Would Lord Fielding betray Caden because he wanted her?
Chapter Fifteen
Returning to Londonwas quite a jolt for Ella.
Even though many peers had gone off to Scotland or back to their estates, almost as many had remained. Ella’s suitors, Lord Harvey and Lord Eckleston, immediately sought her out, bringing her flowers and sweet confections when they visited her on her designated at-home day.
Nor was there a lull in social events, despite it being a quieter time of the year. She and her parents received invitations to soirees, musicales, dinner parties, and balls, piles of them. She left it up to her parents to accept or decline those they wished.
“Ella, stop fretting,” Imogen said when they returned to their bedchamber after their visiting hours were over and all the guests had gone.
“I cannot help it. Lord Eckleston mentioned that Caden was expected back in London next week.”
Imogen regarded her with some surprise. “Has his tour been cut short? The newspaper accounts claimed he was still in the north, probably in Edinburgh now.”
“The accounts are several days behind.”
“Let’s keep an ear to the ground,” Imogen said. “I’m sure we’ll hear something more about Caden. He is all anyone talks about. Who else will be at Lady Fielding’s supper party this evening? I’m so pleased she included me in the invitation. Nodoubt at her son’s request. I wish I could attend more of these affairs.”
“Papa won’t ever allow it, since you are not out officially yet. This was his one concession.”
Imogen tipped her chin up and sniffed. “I think I am quite mature for my age.”
