Page 67 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
His smile broadened. She longed to reach her arms around his neck and hold him. But mostly to feel him hold her.
‘Do you think anyone would notice if I stole you away,’ he said, his eyes glinting with what she assumed were identical thoughts to hers.
‘Mary is bringing George downstairs to see you.’
‘I should have insisted we went up.’ His gaze travelled over her shoulder, and he whispered through the edge of his mouth, ‘Your brother is behind you and approaching.’
‘Drew, how are you?’ Rob raised his voice as Drew joined them.
Drew’s arm settled about Caro’s shoulders, in gentle reassurance. ‘I did not think I would ever see Caro in town again.’
Rob smiled towards her. ‘Well, she is here.’
‘And I think it is with thanks to you,’ Drew acknowledged with a brief bow of his head.
‘Uncle Bobbie!’
Caro turned as Rob did, and Drew’s arm slid from her shoulders as the little scoundrel ran right across the room.
‘Tyke! You should not run when people have cups of tea in their hands. You are lucky you did not end up with tea on your head,’ Rob said in a reprimand that sounded too humorous to do the job of telling George off. He bent, caught up George with a hold beneath his arms and lifted him to his hip. ‘Little rogue. Have you been good since I left?’
‘Ve-r-y good.’ The r was strongly pronounced.
‘And you have learned your “r”s.’
‘Yes, but I think you will always be Uncle Bobbie,’ Mary answered as she caught up with George.
‘Robbie, I hope you will not rush off.’ Kate joined them. ‘It is so rare that you call. Will you stay for dinner?’
Rob smiled. ‘Thank you, I would like to, yes.’
There was no further opportunity for private conversation with Rob. They were constantly in the company of his family.
Yet she was able to sit beside Rob for dinner. The group thinned to John and Kate, and Mary and Drew, and as the others were couples it made sense to seat her beside Rob. After dinner they took turns to provide entertainment at the pianoforte. Drew turned Mary’s pages with an amused smile as she played andsang. Then Rob suggested Caro play and he sang. She harmonised her voice to Rob’s as they sat close together on the stool, and Rob flipped the music sheets over. John and Katherine outshone them all, though. John had a powerful, pitch-perfect voice.
It was eleven of the clock, when Rob stood. ‘I suppose I should leave.’
Everyone stood. He kissed Mary’s cheek and Kate’s, shook John’s and Drew’s hands, then turned to Caro. She was not a true member of his family, it would look odd if he kissed her cheek. Instead, he bowed over her hand and pressed a kiss on to the back of her fingers. ‘Goodnight, Caro.’
‘Goodnight, Rob.’
When he released her hand, he looked at Mary.
‘Where will you be tomorrow evening? Are you going out?’
‘Kate and I are attending a parliamentary dinner,’ John answered even though Rob had not put the question to him. ‘Business, I am afraid.’
‘We are dining with Lord Brooke and his wife,’ Mary answered.
‘We thought it an opportunity for Caro to test her wings,’ Drew added. ‘As she has known Brooke from childhood.’
She would be the awkward odd peg with couples, though, but Rob could hardly invite himself along.
His smile expressed his understanding, saying,I wish I could join you.
‘Perhaps I will see you the night after, then,’ Rob concluded.
‘That is the night of Lady Pickford’s ball,’ Kate answered. ‘If you can acquire an invitation you are welcome to come in the carriage with us.’
