Page 7 of The Moonstone Hero
Caden nodded. “Bring it closer.”
“Aye, m’lord.” The boy carried the tray over, his smile broad and attitude cheerful.
Was there something in the water that made everyone happy here?
“What’s your name, lad?”
“Elmer Angel, my lord. My father is Constable Malcolm Angel. He keeps order in the village, although Major Brennan and his soldiers also step in whenever necessary to keep the peace.”
“I got the impression this was a quiet village.” Caden sat up, ignoring the stab of pain to his ribs, and another stab as he inhaled the enticing aroma.
“Oh, it is fairly quiet. On occasion, we have rowdy sailors off the Royal Navy vessels, or rowdy lords on holiday here who think they are above the law. My father can handle them, but it is often easier to bring in Major Brennan at those times to put ina word. He’s a viscount, and the rowdy lords especially seem to respond better to one of their own. Some of them only think of us as dirt beneath their boots.”
“Yes, I know. I went to school with many of those pompous elites.” This was one failing he’d never had, although he certainly had been raised to think of himself as above everyone else. Heir to a duke. He’d even received a cuff to the head a time or two from his grandfather, who did not want him showing any deference toward their servants. His grandfather did not even like Caden speaking to their estate stewards or solicitors as though these men were their equals.
The old goat had seen to it that everyone feared them and toadied to them, but no one actuallylikedthem. This seemed to suit the old man just fine, but Caden did not like it one bit. How did one earn the loyalty of workers who always felt the boot on their neck?
Well, it wasn’t his problem yet.
Caden devoured his breakfast as he listened to the boy go on about the village and his life here, which seemed idyllic. “I went to school, too, my lord. We have a good one here in Moonstone Landing. But I’ll not be sent off to university. I’m not smart enough. That is, not in any book-learning way like my cousin Brenna. She taught at an exclusive girls’ school in Oxford, and the whole town knew she was the brilliant one in the family. But she’s married to the Duke of Claymore now.”
That remark caught Caden’s attention, for Ella had briefly mentioned this as well. “Is she?”
The boy nodded as he watered the lavender flowers in the vase on the far table near the window. “And my cousin Cara married the Duke of Strathmore.”
Was this boy having him on?
“Your cousins both married dukes?”
The boy laughed. “Yes, but my cousin Felicity only married an earl.”
“Elmer, are you by any chance jesting with me?”
“No, my lord. You can ask anyone. They’ll tell you. That is why we have been getting ladies arriving here by the dozens lately. They think to catch themselves a title. But they never will. It is the heart of a person that matters. Goodness and kindness, not greed or tricks. One needs to feel cared about for who they are and not what riches they might bring, don’t you think?”
Caden laughed. “Elmer, you are a very wise young man. Yes, it is exactly so.”
“Lady Ella and Lady Imogen are nice like that. You will never hear a cross word or condescending remark from their lips. They are true ladies. Quality, and it shows.” Elmer glanced at the now-empty tray of food he had brought up. “Ah, you liked it. Well, everyone likes Mrs. Halsey’s cooking. She can bake, too. Her tea shop is the best around.”
“So I’ve heard.” Caden leaned back as he continued to watch the boy bustle about the room.
“I’ll help you wash up, if you’re now done eating.”
“Just bring the ewer and basin close to me. I’ll take care of the chore myself.”
“All right, if you’re sure. I’ve brought you a clean nightshirt and a fresh cake of lavender soap, too. You’ll probably need help getting the old shirt off and the new shirt on over your head. I’ve noticed you wince every time you raise your arm even a little. It is because of your broken ribs, I’ll wager.”
“I can manage. They are almost healed.” Of course, this assumed he had not done more damage to them by hurling the cup at Ella when she had walked through his door yesterday. He never would have done so had he realized it was Ella—not that this was any excuse for his behavior. “I’m sure you have more work to do around the hospital.”
The boy nodded as he helped Caden take off his sweat-stained nightshirt. “I’ll drop it off at the hospital laundry. Yes, we’re short-handed, what with new wounded soldiers arriving all week. But you are the only nobleman we have received so far.”
“The others were smart and bought out their commissions.”
“No, m’lord. You are the smart one. It is men like you this country needs, not those soft cowards.”
Caden liked young Elmer. The boy spoke with refreshing frankness.
“The soldiers at the fort help out in the hospital as much as they can, but most aren’t really all that helpful.” He tossed Caden a grin. “They want to be off fighting, not cleaning out bedpans. I’ll stop in to check on you once I am through delivering everyone their meals. But ring the bell by your bedside if you need me sooner. Can’t have you sitting here naked as a jaybird. You’ll shock our lady volunteers.”
