Page 47 of The Moonstone Pirate
“I can be a little overbearing at times,” he said, not wanting to reveal too much to Deandra or her father. Imogen already knew he was looking into a connection between Healey, Burke, McTavish, and Driscoll, but that could not be helped, since it was her work that uncovered those connections. “Perhaps I was a little too cautious.”
Deandra was quick to agree. “You were an utter ogre!”
“I was being careful,” he insisted, frowning at his cousin.
She placed her hands on her hips and set her mouth in a pout. “No, you were just being arrogant and highhanded. I could not believe how mean you were to Imogen when she was only trying to do something nice for us.”
“Nice?” He grunted incredulously. “She was meddling. Fiendishly clever about it, too. Tell her, Imogen. Admit it.”
“See! You are doing it again, Draco!” Deandra grasped Imogen’s hand. “Pay no mind to my cousin. He is not always such an ogre. You poor thing.”
Imogen tried to stifle a grin, and it came out as a snort instead.
Draco did not take offense, for he had felt a possessive need to protect Imogen from the moment they met. That she had needed protection during his party still had him overset. He would continue to behave like a protective ape until all the knaves had been arrested and no longer posed a threat to her.
He did not want to think of the real reason she brought out his apish instincts. It was not only concern over a smuggling operation. It was really about her and the permanence of these feelings she brought out in him.
He hated that word…feelings.
He needed a clear mind, not to be distracted mooning over some bright-eyed girl who had never been kissed until he came along.
Lord, that kiss.
He could not get it out of his head.
Despite his concerns, he managed to get through his meal without irritating Imogen or once again being called an ogre by his cousin. He was remarkably restrained while after-dinner drinks were served in the parlor and the ladies had their tea.
Apparently, Deandra decided this improvement in his behavior required mentioning. “You were charming tonight, Draco. Thank you. I was so worried you were going to snarl at us again. I would have been so embarrassed. But you were a complete gentleman.”
Good grief, did he need to be complimented for his good behavior? Was itthatnoteworthy?
Deandra continued to chirp away, chattering excitedly about staying with Imogen for a few more days. “Do you think we will be permitted to volunteer at the hospital soon? I hope so. I would love to help out and then end the day with treats at Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop.”
Draco made no comment, but knew he would have an uprising on his hands when he ordered them confined to Westgate Hall once the smugglers returned.
As the evening drew to a close, they all walked out onto the terrace to watch the moon rise over the water. “Is it not magnificent?” Imogen said in a gentle whisper as she came to stand beside him, her face illuminated in all its shimmering beauty by the torchlights set around the corners of the terrace.
Draco nodded. “Yes, quite.”
She edged closer to him. “Have you learned yet why our village is called Moonstone Landing?”
He leaned his forearms casually on the stone balustrade as he looked out over the water. “No, but I think you are about to tell me. Go ahead, Butterfly. I would like to know.”
“It is said there are moonstones deep within the water that will shine on the night of a full moon whenever in the presence of true love.”
“True love? Is this what the moonstone lore is about?”
“Yes. Aunt Phoebe and her sisters made love matches with their husbands, and the moonstones glowed for them. The same happened to Brenna and the Duke of Claymore, and Brenna’s cousin Cara, who married the Duke of Strathmore, and her cousin Felicity, who married the Earl of Bradford, and—”
Draco laughed. “That’s a long enough list. You have made your point.”
“It happened for my sister as well. I think Caden fell in love with her the moment he set eyes on her.”
Draco stifled a groan. “Imogen, love at first sight is not real.”
She gazed up at him, obviously dismayed. “Why would you say such a cynical thing? It is most certainly real. One’s heart knows immediately when the missing part of it comes along.”
“Is that so?”
