Page 66 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
‘How are you?’ Rob’s Uncle Richard joined them. ‘Have you found an occupation to entertain you?’
Rob shook his head. It was questions like that which madehim avoid these afternoons of social chatter. He was still keeping what he wished to do with his life to himself because he did not want it to be treated as their entertainment.
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Caro looked across the room the moment Penny said Rob’s name, stopping her conversation mid-sentence. When she looked back at Mary she could not remember what she had been saying, but Mary was looking at Rob anyway.
‘Excuse me, I wish to greet Rob.’ Mary got up from the sofa.
Caro rose too, pulled towards him. She crossed the room at Mary’s side, making it appear a natural thing to do.
Rob’s gaze turned away from his aunt and uncle. He saw Mary first, then his gaze met Caro’s and he smiled broadly. Her heart leapt as if it might break free from her chest as she returned his smile. She thought of the things they said to one another in private the night before he left, the things they could not say in front of others. All those words of love were in his eyes.
Mary hugged him and he pressed a brief kiss on her cheek. ‘I am pleased to see you,’ Mary said. ‘How are you? George is very excited to see you and you will not recognise Iris, she has grown so much.’
‘Where are they?’
‘In the nursery. They were still tired, and grumpy, after our long journey.’
‘Caro.’ His attention turned to her and it looked as though his gaze soaked her up as she absorbed him too.
She longed to hug him and kiss his lips. Instead, she lifted her hand. He held it and bowed quite low as he pressed his lips against the back of her hand. The kiss was extremely gentle. She had forgotten how gentle his touch could be.
‘I am glad you made it here,’ he said, as he straightened, retaining hold of her hand. He looked at Mary. ‘She is impressive, is she not?’
‘Very,’ Mary said, looking at her. ‘Andrew and I are very proud of you, Caro.’
Rob’s thumb stroked her hand for a moment before he let go of her.
Love welled up. There was no doubt of her emotions, she could not feel as she did if it was not love. And as she did in the summer, she would not think of the future, only the present.
‘I could do with a cup of tea, Caro, would you pour me one?’ It was a ploy to separate them from the others as the tea urn stood on a table against the far wall. ‘And perhaps you would take me to the nursery afterwards, Mary, so I might see George.’
‘Or, better still, I will fetch him,’ Mary answered. ‘I am sure he will have had enough rest now.’
When Mary walked away, Rob caught hold of Caro’s elbow and gently turned her towards the urn. ‘Let us fetch that tea. How are you? I missed you,’ he said the last in a quieter voice.
She smiled as they walked. ‘I did not realise you had a devious streak, Robert Marlow. Perhaps you would take me to the nursery, indeed… you knew Mary would fetch him.’
‘I missed you too, Rob,’ he mocked. ‘I am very glad you called today. I wanted to see you.’
Her smile broadened. If anyone was watching them, they would see there was something between them, but she did not think people were looking. ‘I have, I am, and I did, or rather, I do. Do you really want a cup of tea?’
‘Not particularly.’ He laughed gently. ‘But as we are now at the tea urn, you had better pour me one.’
She laughed and picked up a cup.
‘How are you anyway, truly? Mary told me you have made some friends.’
‘Yes, Isabella and Pauline. They are sisters.’ She added milk to his tea.
‘I still feel as I did,’ he said quietly when he took the cup from her hand.
‘I feel the same too.’
‘May I take you out for a drive one afternoon? I think it best to wait until next week, though. I would not want to draw attention to us by rushing into spending time together. Until then, I am afraid we must endure this crowd.’
She nodded. ‘A drive would be nice, and I can cope with this crowd if you are in it.’
