Page 59 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
Drew caught up with Caro as she followed, and his hand settled on her shoulder, then he leaned to say, ‘You will miss him, but we will speak once he’s gone and think of ways to draw you into the local community. You need more friends, Caro. Things won’t go back to the way they were.’
She nodded.
‘Mary and I do love you, you know. We do not begrudge you anything.’
‘I know.’
He stopped and held her, wrapping his arms about her, and he kissed her temple before releasing her.
When they walked into the hall, Rob and Mary had already gone outside, and the grooms were carrying Rob’s trunk out to his curricle.
‘Papa! An’ie Ca’o!’ George stood at the top of the stairs, pulling on the nursery maid’s hand.
‘Steady, George!’ Drew called. ‘You will pull Lily over and both topple down the stairs.’ Drew hurriedly climbed the stairs and took control of his errant son, lifting him into his arms. ‘Come along, you little rogue.’
‘My lord.’ Caro glanced up to see the nanny carrying Iris. ‘Should I bring Iris down?’
‘Yes, do. Mr Marlow will want to say his goodbyes.’
Caro let Drew and the nanny walk outside ahead of her, her heart kicking.
Rob was speaking with Mary, as his luggage was loaded.
‘Uncle Bobbie!’
Rob looked over. Drew put George on his feet, and George ran, as Rob dropped to one knee, unmindful of the dirty gravel, to receive George’s farewell hug. George charged into his uncle’s arms and Rob hugged him with the generosity and affection that made him stand out among others. Those were the traits she fell for.
When he stood, he lifted George up with him and looked at her. She smiled, her skin heating.
‘Will you come back, Uncle Bobbie?’
‘Yes,’ Rob answered. ‘But I am not sure when. Unless…’ Rob looked at Drew. ‘Will you bring him with you when you come to London in the autumn? If you are intending to come… I know you usually do.’
‘Probably, though we have not discussed it,’ Drew answered.
‘We will, otherwise we have to wait until Christmas to see everyone,’ Mary concluded as she took Iris from the nanny.
‘Then we will,’ Drew said.
‘I suggested to Caro yesterday, that if you do, she should consider coming. It would be the final boundary broken if she did.’ Rob was trying to commit her to the agreement, which meant he genuinely wanted her to go.
His gaze turned to her and he smiled.
Heat flooded Caro’s cheeks as she tried to smile too. She knew the smile looked awkward.
Mary carried Iris over to say her goodbye. George’s arm gripped about Rob’s neck as Rob leaned forward and kissed Iris’s cheek. ‘Goodbye, little one.’ Then he kissed Mary’s cheek. ‘Mary.’
‘If you need anything, Rob, you know you are always welcome here.’
‘I know.’
‘Would you like to pat my horses one last time, George?’ Rob offered.
‘Yes!’ George’s voice brimmed with excitement.
Caro moved closer, as though she were metal and being pulled by a magnet.
Mary passed Iris back to the nanny.
