Page 13 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
Drew stayed for a while and drank tea in the front room. But he could not stay forever.
‘I should leave.’ Drew stood. ‘I must return to London, so Kilbride will not guess I helped you. It may be weeks before I can return; Kilbride will have people watching me,’ he said quietly asBeth was only in the next room, the kitchen, preparing Caro’s dinner. ‘So, do not write, it is not worth the risk. I will come as soon as I can, and in the meantime, do not draw attention to yourself.’
She hugged him as they said goodbye. ‘Thank you.’
‘You must be brave, stay calm and strong. He will not find you, I promise.’
‘I am very grateful.’
‘I am glad I have finally been able to help you.’
She nodded, tears clasping at her throat and leaving her unable to answer as he opened the door and left.
She walked into the kitchen, drawn by the smell of the food. Beef, suet…
‘Ma’am.’ The housekeeper curtsied.
‘Please, call me Caroline, Beth. Did my brother mention that we have some rather rough relatives, so we must always be cautious when visitors come?’
‘Yes, Caroline. He told me I must not say a word to anyone about you, or our lives, and that I should not open the door unless I know who is outside. I understand, because my husband was violent, so, I know how horrible people can be.’
‘Thank you. I am quite exhausted after my journey. Would you show me my room and I will lie down?’
She knew Albert better than Drew knew him. Albert would never stop looking, she would be hiding here for the rest of her life.
‘Of course, ma— Caroline.’
6
The knocker struck on the cottage door with four firm raps.
Caro rose from her chair, fear gripping her chest. No one had cause to knock here.
She stood as Beth hurried through from the kitchen. Beth was making bread, she had stripped off her pinafore so quickly the flour had transferred to her dress.
‘Caroline,’ Beth whispered, asking what she should do. Her eyes were as wide with fear as Caro imagined her own were.
Caro’s heart tried to pound its way out of her chest. ‘Can you see who it is through the window?’ she whispered back. Caro could not look in case she gave her presence away.
Beth leaned against the wall near the window, twisting to try and see who was outside. ‘They are standing too close to the door. I cannot see.’
Beth had been buying a newspaper every day so Caro could check if Albert had published anything. To date, there had been no word of her disappearance.
‘Should I open the door?’ Beth whispered.
Caro felt frozen in ice, her heart pulsing so hard the soundthrobbed in her ears. Her foolish head longed for Albert, for someone to turn to and say,what should I do?
She missed none of her finery but she missed him, the man who felt like her protector long ago. The man who touched her gently at night as though he loved her. A part of her heart longed to open the door and see him standing there. But not the man who beat her.
‘Ask who it is,’ Caro whispered.
‘Who is there?’ Beth called towards the door.
‘It is your sister-in-law,’ a woman said quietly from the other side. ‘Your brother sent me because he could not come himself.’
Caro looked at Beth. ‘Something is wrong, if my brother has sent his wife.’
But they had separated. Why would she come?
