Page 78 of The Moonstone Hero
“Yes, love.”
Ella was sure her parents had heard him utter that endearment, for her mother gasped and her father furrowed his brow. His expression darkened as he stared at Caden. “Is there something you wish to say to me, Lord Mersey?”
“No, Papa. He did not—”
But Caden took her hand and gave it a light squeeze before releasing it. “Yes, my lord. May I stop by your home tomorrow morning? It will have to be early, for my day is already filled with appointments. Or I could follow you home this evening. Perhaps that is better, since I would prefer to have the matter resolved as soon as possible.”
Gasps and whispers could be heard around the room. Everyone was listening in.
“Tonight would be perfect,” Ella said before her father had the chance to respond. In truth, she wished they could return home right now.
“Seems my daughter has a decided opinion.” He let out a breath. “Tonight, then. If you are amenable, my lord?”
Caden nodded. “Eager for it.”
All eyes remained on them as Caden escorted Lady Fielding into the dining room. Lord Fielding added to the whispers by escorting Ella in, even though there were ladies above her rank who should have been accorded the privilege.
She expected it was done on purpose to send a message to their guests that she would soon be married to Caden, the Marquess of Mersey.
“Surprised?” Lord Fielding asked, leading her to her seat, which was beside his.
Caden’s place was at the opposite end of the table, for he had been assigned the seat of honor beside Lady Fielding.
Ella turned to Lord Fielding. “Yes, I am quite astounded. Why did you not tell me he would be here?”
“I was afraid to raise your hopes only to have them dashed if he did not make it back to London in time. But I am not surprised he moved heaven and earth to be here.”
“Lord Fielding, did you do this for me?”
He nodded. “I will not deny having seriously considered you for myself. But seeing the two of you together… Well, it was quite a revelation for me. You and I do not have this feeling. At best, we check off items on a list of suitability. We do not combust upon seeing each other.”
“Sadly, that is true. However, I do value your friendship. You are a good, kind man.”
“Oh, no. Don’t say that. Perhaps we might have suited if Lord Mersey had not come along.”
She nodded. “I think we might have.”
“Well, I shall settle for that,” he said with a wistful smile. “I am truly happy for you, Ella. You have found your love match. Two hearts eternally united. Two flames eternally burning. This is the power of love.”
“Dare I hope you now want this for yourself?”
He laughed. “Desperately, but I don’t know if I will find it here.”
“Come back to Moonstone Landing next summer, Lord Fielding. Set aside yourtonrules and keep yourself open to whatever may transpire. Look to the heart of a person, not rank or wealth or business advantage. You are in a fortunate position to do this… At least, I think you are. There is no talk of your dodging creditors.”
“Heaven forbid.” He laughed again. “I am quite secure in my fortune.”
As all the guests settled in their seats, the footmen brought out the elaborate meal—starting with the soup course, a traditional white soup that was rather tasty, although Ella’s stomach was in such a flutter that she merely took a few sips before setting her spoon aside. She did the same with the other courses, for she was barely able to swallow more than a bite or two.
She hardly touched her game fowl or the fish that was swimming in butter and capers. The potato, artichoke, and peas accompaniments were plentiful, but she mostly moved them around on her plate rather than eating any.
All the while, Caden was holding forth at the other end of the table. All the guests at that end were leaning in, hanging on his every word. Even those at her end were straining to hear him speak.
There was no denying the man was magnificent in every way.
It was around midnight by the time the ladies rose from the table and left the men to their cigars and port. It would beperhaps another hour before the men joined the ladies in the parlor. Ella was not sure her heart, which beat rapidly every time she glanced at Caden, would hold up much longer.
As soon as the ladies entered the parlor, they surrounded her and began to toss questions at her. When did she meet Caden? Did she know how he felt about her? Had they been secretly engaged all the while? When were they to be married?
