Page 97 of The Moonstone Hero
“I am as thickheaded as my grandfather,” he said with a nod. “But I learned some important lessons while serving in the Royal Marines. Men follow out of duty, but they will fight to the death for friendship and brotherhood. Trust must be earned. It is something every good battlefield commander understands. Men will fight for you and follow you unfailingly if they believe in you. It is all about leadership and loyalty. Beating fear into others never works in the long run. It has helped me to understand what I need to convey in my speech to Parliament.”
Ella leaned forward, obviously eager to hear more. “I know it will be wonderful and inspirational.”
He chuckled. “We’ll see.”
“My mother dotes on my father. She thinks the sun and moon revolve around him. I never understood how she could feel this way about him. We love him, of course. But now, I find myself thinking of you in this same way. Every time I see you, I am filled with pride and wonder. I know you will be magnificent in everything you do.”
“Don’t put me up on that high a pedestal, Ella.”
She shook her head. “I’m not. Nor will I be as docile as my mother in voicing opinions. You know you are going to hear an earful from me.”
He cast her an affectionate smile. “I hope so.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “I value your judgment.”
She leaned forward and kissed him, deliciously pressing her mouth to his, an action he prolonged by cupping the back of her head to keep her from drawing away while he deepened the kiss and took pleasure in the sweet taste of her. He released her abruptly when he heard the tea cart rattling down the hall. “Merrick’s approaching.”
“Oh, yes. Mustn’t shock the dear man.” Ella gave him one of her typically radiant smiles. “Perhaps I will be as docile as my mother after all. You have a way of making me swoon.”
“And you have a way of stealing my breath away.”
“I’m glad I do. In truth, I have such difficulty understanding what makes me so special to you.”
“Everything about you draws me to you,” he responded earnestly. “Your smile, your beauty, your thoughtfulness and kindness. I trust you with my heart and also with my innermost thoughts. You are my safe harbor, I suppose. A lovely harbor.”
“You say this as though you have need of me now. How can I help?”
He winced. “Ella, my grandfather and I were so often at odds, but despite it all, I loved him. I waited until now to tell him, waited until he was unconscious and could not hear me.”
“He did not make it easy for you, Caden. In fact, he probably made you feel as though he would beat you for your softness. But I’m glad you told him now. It is right that you did, and hopefully he heard it. Whether he wanted to leap out of bed and rail at you for saying it is another matter,” she admitted, laughing softly.
He smiled back. “I will never make that mistake with you. I love you, Ella. I will tell you so every day of my life.”
“Caden,” she whispered, and kissed him again—a swift, brief kiss—then drew away quickly, as Merrick was now at the threshold with the tea cart. “You know I feel the same about you. I love you so dearly. Have you given consideration to our wedding? Do we move it up? Postpone it? Keep to the original plan?”
“I don’t know. Everything has changed since yesterday. I haven’t had a chance to think about these new circumstances.”
She was obviously disappointed, but made no fuss. “I understand. Papa will also have to reconsider. That is a good thing, because I don’t think he has changed his mind about wanting it postponed. What he really wants is for it to be broken off, but I will never agree to such a thing. Postponement it shall be if you and my father wish it. But that discussion is better left for another day. As you said, you have too much on your mind now.”
She turned toward Merrick as he set the cart beside them. “Is there anything more you need, Lady Ella?” he asked.
“No, thank you. It is all perfect.”
He nodded and returned to his post by the front door.
Ella poured tea into each cup with graceful efficiency and set a slice of lemon cake on each plate. But neither of them were hungry, and the cake went untouched while they spoke. “Caden,I know we just agreed not to discuss the wedding. But plans have been underway for weeks now. Any changes will not only impact us, but our guests and everyone hired for the occasion. The invitations are about to go out. Everything has been ordered. I am not asking for a decision today. But it cannot be put off beyond the end of this week, or we won’t be able to alert our guests in time.”
“Nor is it fair to the orchestra hired or anyone else involved.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I understand. Don’t change anything yet. We’ll see what happens over the next few days. It is very possible you will be marrying a duke, not just some soldier with the courtesy title of marquess.”
Her expression turned pained. “If you do come into the title, then it is likely we shall not be able to marry as planned. It would not be right to proceed with a grand wedding while you are in mourning. I hope it does not come to pass, because I wish only good health for your grandfather. You know I never cared about titles. You were all that mattered to me.”
“I know, love.” Caden regarded her, realizing suddenly how dense he was. Ella was right. Their wedding could never go ahead as planned if he lost his grandfather. But postponing it was the last thing he wanted to do.
In truth, he would need Ella more than ever. Without her gentle touch and guidance, what sort of man would he become once he became Duke of Seaton? He had so much of the old man’s stubborn and combative ways in him already.
Indeed, they were two peas in a pod.
