Page 55 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
Caro watched Rob throughout dinner and during the quiet evening in the drawing room that followed. They did not play cards, instead Drew and Mary talked to him about his plans, and about Mary’s family. Caro sat in silence.
Occasionally he would glance at her and she would see their secret in his eyes.
Mary was the first to say she would retire, Drew said he would go up with her, then Rob said he would retire too as he was to leave early the next morning.
Caro did not want the evening to end, but nor did she want to sit here alone.
They all stood.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as they walked from the room. She climbed the stairs beside Drew and Mary followed beside Rob. They would expect her to say goodnight first.
She smiled towards Rob, longing to kiss his lips.
He smiled in return. ‘Goodnight, Caro.’ He bowed his head.
‘Goodnight.’ She turned quickly as she felt the threat of tears. Leaving Mary and Drew to say their goodnights.
Caro let the maid release her buttons and brush out her hair. Then she climbed into bed and lay there wide awake, memories, images and feelings playing through her mind. She had never expected to feel these emotions again. This whole summer had been wonderful. He would go, but he would leave behind a happier, if heartbroken, woman.
Her heart ached. It would break tomorrow. But he had taught her she could choose how to respond. She could mourn him and shut herself away again or she could live as though nothing had changed. She would keep living because that was his gift.
She sat up and threw the sheets back, realising he was still here. They still had tonight.
Her footfalls were soft as she walked over the creaky floorboards. It was dark, but she knew the house well enough to find her way to his room. Drew and Mary’s rooms were at the farthest end of the first-floor landing, they would not hear.
Her fingertips trailed along the wall of the landing as she walked through the dark. She felt the doorframe, her hand lowered and touched the cold brass doorknob.
Her heartbeat skipped to the rhythm of a vigorous country dance when she knocked gently.
It was scarcely half an hour since they retired, but he might be asleep.
A slight rap on wood pulled Rob into consciousness. He had fallen asleep thinking about Caro.
The sound came again. Someone was knocking on the door of the bedchamber.
He sat up, the sheet sliding to his waist. The air was not aswarm since the storm passed, but he had come to bed naked – it was too hot for clothing.
The knock struck a little harder. ‘Rob.’ His name whispered through the wood.
Caro.‘Come in,’ he said quietly.
The door creaked as it opened. He rubbed his forehead, trying to wake up. The room was pitch-black because the night was cloudy.
‘Where are you?’ she whispered. He could hear her smile in her voice.
A sound of amusement broke from his throat, before he answered, ‘Here.’
Her footsteps brushed on the floorboards. ‘I could not sleep,’ she whispered. ‘Do you mind?’
‘No.’ For the entire evening, his senses had remained aware of her, and aware they only had a few hours left. ‘I am glad.’ He got off the bed and stood as he heard her approach, reaching out blindly.
His hand touched her shoulder.
‘Rob.’ Her next step brought her into his arms.
His hand stroked her hair; it was loose, flowing down her back. His head lowered as hers tilted back and their lips met.
His conscience had been condemning him this evening, and yet here he was again, responding to the call of lust. He did not care for morals and idealism with Caro. He wished for another moment of bliss, and this time it would not be in a squalid little hut. They would be naked in a comfortable bed.
