Page 76 of The Moonstone Hero
Imogen went to their armoire to select gowns for each of them. “I hear his mother is very nice.”
“Yes, Cain and Henley spoke very highly of her. Oh, have you chosen the pale blue silk for me?”
“Yes,” Imogen said. “It is very becoming on you. I’ll wear this tea rose one. It has a lovely band that goes around just below my bosom and fills me out. I could do with some enhancement in that area.”
Ella laughed. “You are young still, Imogen. I was a scarecrow at your age.”
“And now you are a gloriously large-breasted diamond.”
“Imogen! Goodness, you are wicked. I am not all that well endowed, as must be obvious. And do stop referring to me as a diamond. I hate being called that.”
But Ella was in good spirits by the time she, Imogen, and their parents rode to the Fielding residence in their sleek carriage.
Their mother was all smiles. “I missed you girls so much while you were off in Moonstone Landing. It is nice to be back home and have you with us again.”
Their father agreed. “Indeed, it is good to have my darling daughters back.”
Ella and Imogen exchanged guilty looks.
Yes, they loved their parents, but had missed them only occasionally while in Moonstone Landing. Nothing could compare to the summers spent with Cormac and Phoebe. Ella and Imogen always had so much fun with them.
As for the social life in Moonstone Landing, it was quieter, but not at all dull. There were advantages to life in a quaint Cornwall village. Ella and Imogen were given greater freedom to walk to most places on their own. Now that the hospital was builtand taking in patients, they also had a useful purpose to their days in helping the wounded.
None of this was possible in London. They required chaperones everywhere they went and were not permitted to do more than pay social calls on their friends or go shopping.
As it turned out, Lady Fielding’s supper party was a much grander affair than expected. Over fifty guests were in attendance. Many of them were Lady Fielding’s elderly friends, and there was only a sprinkling of eligible bachelors or other debutantes. Ella found the company delightful, since she did not have to worry about unwanted suitors clamoring for her attention.
Imogen charmed everyone with her youthful ebullience.
“I thought we were to dine at eight,” she whispered as the hour approached nine o’clock and they had yet to be called into the dining room.
“I thought so too. Something must be going on.” Ella glanced at Lord Fielding and his mother, who were quietly consulting in a corner of the parlor. Lady Fielding appeared ready to order her butler to summon them in to supper when a buzz suddenly swept through the room.
All eyes turned toward the entry hall.
Ella’s legs almost buckled out from under her. “Dear heaven.”
Caden walked in.
He was out of uniform and looked magnificent in black tie and tails, his shoulders broad and his body lean and muscled. He relied on a cane to assist him in walking. Her heart tightened as she watched him make his way toward their host and hostess, his limp slight but obvious.
This only enhanced his appeal.
“Imogen, am I dreaming? How is it possible?”
Her ever-faithful sister was by her side, holding her up as they both watched Caden. “He must have hopped on a mail coach and escaped his grandfather, the reporters, and the rest of his entourage. It is the only explanation.”
Ella was delighted, for it meant she would have a few days alone with Caden before his grandfather stormed back to London, mad as a raging bull.
All Ella wanted was a precious moment in Caden’s company. Would he seek her out now? Had he accepted Lady Fielding’s invitation knowing she would be here tonight?
Lord Fielding noticed her staring and winked at her.
Dear heaven.
Hadhearranged this? She owed him a sincere apology for ever doubting his honor.
Caden’s gaze swept the room, those dark eyes of his taking everything in like he were a savage jungle cat on the prowl.
