Page 24 of The Moonstone Hero
At most, he had two weeks with Ella before they dragged him out of here. Two precious weeks, and he dared not waste them.
And the sunlight clasps the earth
And the moonbeams kiss the sea:
What is all this sweet work worth
If thou kiss not me?
Ah, yes. Kissing Ella. This was very much on his mind now.
What would become of them over this little time they had together? How much of herself would she give to him?
Chapter Five
“Ella, don’t youthink you are spending too much time with Lord Mersey?” her sister asked as they hopped down from Mr. Hawke’s wagon. It had stopped in front of Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop, as usual.
“No, Imogen.”
“And is it wise to be calling him Caden?”
Ella shrugged. “Why not? I would always refer to him as Lord Mersey when in the company of others.”
They had volunteered to pick up freshly baked cakes and pies for today’s recital. Since the two of them had been enjoying Mrs. Halsey’s wares every summer for over a decade, they were well acquainted with her shop and knew just which cakes and pies were the best.
Of course, they were all delicious, so their choice was not narrowed down much, if at all.
“Fionn gave me funds to order these treats for all the hospital patients. I am purchasing them for everyone, not just Caden Seaton.” Ella glanced up at the sky. It was late morning, and the day could not have turned out more beautiful. The sky was the clearest blue it had been in a while, and the breeze was invigorating as it blew off the water and cooled the air.
“Your eyes turn starry at the mere mention of his name,” Imogen remarked.
Ella frowned. “They do not. It is absurd to think so. Half the time, I don’t even like him.”
Imogen regarded her dubiously. “Well, it is the other half that has Uncle Cormac and Aunt Phoebe concerned.”
Ella entered the tea shop, greeted Mrs. Halsey, and placed her large order before responding to her sister. “If everyone is so worried about my feelings for him, then why haven’t they said anything to me?”
Imogen nibbled her lip. “They will. Probably tonight.”
Ella arched an eyebrow. “What do you know that I do not? Tell me, Imogen. Am I to get a lecture on the perils of consorting with men like Lord Mersey? Believe me, I am well aware. But need I point out that Uncle Cormac was far worse than Lord Mersey? And look at him now. You won’t find a better husband than he is to Phoebe. Or a better father to his boys.”
“But it certainly took him long enough to reform his wicked ways.”
“That’s just it—Caden is not like Uncle Cormac in that regard.”
Imogen arched an eyebrow.
Ella ignored her. “He was never as wickedly rakish. Yes, the ladies all flock to him. But he never ran around with a fast crowd, not that I am aware. If anything, he has spent his life mostly keeping to himself. Probably closed himself off too much. And he certainly did not consort with horrible ladies of the sort Uncle Cormac used to dally with. Goodness, they were awful.”
Imogen giggled. “He won’t like you reminding him of it.”
“Well, he’ll get that reminder if he thinks to lecture me.” Ella took another moment to order Caden’s favorite lemon cake before turning back to her sister. “And Uncle Cormac certainly did not hesitate to kiss Aunt Phoebe after he had met her. Inappropriate kisses, and at inappropriate times, but that neverstopped him. So, he had better not think to lecture me about that, either.”
Imogen’s eyes widened. “Has Lord Mersey tried to kiss you?”
Ella pinched her lips, silently kicking herself for mentioning kisses. “Our lips might have grazed once. More of an accident than anything intentional. It just happened. I don’t think he meant it to be a kiss.”
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
