Page 81 of The Moonstone Hero
“But you are someone under pressure to sell newspapers.”
Caden groaned. “Ella, it is all right. He can be trusted.”
She wished she could be as confident as Caden. She did not know this man at all and did not want him here. But Caden did, so she respected his wishes and said nothing further.
But so many questions leaped to mind as Caden and her father disappeared into the study to discuss betrothal terms. Ella, Imogen, and Mr. Stafford settled in the parlor while their mother ran off to wake their cook and head butler in order to arrange for refreshments to be brought in.
Not that any of them were in the least hungry after the feast they’d had, but Mr. Stafford had not been invited and perhaps needed to be fed more than just information.
“Lady Ella,” he said gently, “you have concerns. Tell me what they are and I will address them.”
“Very well.” Since he had asked, she decided not to hold back. Caden trusted him, and he was not one to trust anybody lightly. Perhaps the man had proven himself in their weeks on the road. “I am not certain what is really going on here, Mr. Stafford. How is Lord Mersey and my betrothal to be handled? The more I think on it, the more surprised I am that we are even betrothed, for he was so much against it when he left Moonstone Landing. How will your reporting of our wedding plans help him? Will it not disappoint the ladies who adore and worship him? Will it not make things more difficult between him and his grandfather? And why this sudden change of heart? Just because his grandfather now suspects he cares for someone? It all feels odd to me.”
“I know, but it simply comes down to the fact he loves you and cannot bear to be without you any longer.”
“That is so romantic.” Imogen emitted a dreamy sigh. “I told my sister, but she wouldn’t believe me.”
Ella needed to be practical about this, because the betrothal would bring great changes to her life. Her every word and action would now be scrutinized. How did someone as private as Caden manage under all this attention? “What does he expect my role to be now, Mr. Stafford?”
“He will leave it up to you. It shall be no more than you want it to be.”
Ella shook her head. “No, that will not do. Now that we are betrothed, I must support him in every way I can. He will never ask for that support, but we all know he needs it, and everyone will expect it of me. If he visits a local hospital, then I ought to go with him. If he gives a speech, I ought to stand by his side. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, Lady Ella. I do.”
“Most important—and I think this is where the real problem lies—what if his grandfather tries to damage Caden’s reputation?”
“You know Lord Mersey is not worried about himself,” Mr. Stafford said. “It is you he worries will be damaged by his grandfather. This is why he will ask your father’s permission for a quick wedding.”
Ella glanced toward the closed study door. “A quick wedding? I doubt my father will agree to it. Everyone will believe rushing it was necessary, and that will tarnish my reputation. I long to marry him, but a scramble to the altar might do more harm than good, I think.”
Mr. Stafford chuckled. “I suggested as much, but he ignored me.”
Imogen did not look pleased. “But not being married leaves you vulnerable, Ella. This is why Caden wants the two of you wed as soon as possible.”
They spoke no more of the potential hazards, as their mother returned, and Ella did not want to upset her with such talk. For several years now she had been in delicate health, suffering from bouts of ague that left her physically weak. Much of the time she was fine, but she relapsed easily, especially when under stress.
For this reason, Ella kept the conversation light and spoke only of her love for Caden, emphasizing the romance and minimizing any concerns. Mr. Stafford seemed quite pleased with their conversation, but Ella hoped he would not twist whatever she had told him into something sensational and tawdry.
When Caden and her father finally joined them, both were frowning.
This could not be good. Had her father refused Caden’s offer of marriage?
The possibility had her heart lurching, but Caden seemed to read her thoughts and immediately calmed her. “Ella, he has given his consent.”
“Thank goodness,” Imogen murmured.
Ella looked from her father to Caden. “Then why do you both look so miserable?”
Chapter Sixteen
Caden was nothappy with Lord Stockwell’s terms. However, he had no choice but to agree to them, since he wanted to marry Ella. His requirement that it be a Christmas wedding did not sit well at all.
He ached to make Ella his wife immediately.
But as the weeks passed, Caden became resolved to the idea of waiting. He was not a patient man, and this delay tore him apart inside. However, the constant mentions of their romance in the newspapers, and the public’s eagerness to learn of their wedding plans, proved quite helpful in keeping his own political goals fresh in everyone’s mind.
The wounded soldiers were not forgotten. The questions regarding who ought to control the battlefield and what was to be done to root out corruption in the Crown’s political appointments would be addressed now that Parliament was coming back in session.
