Page 68 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
‘I am sure I can wheedle myself an invite,’ Rob answered.
At least, then, he would be with Caro when she attended her first society event.
‘Well, I will be off. Goodnight, all.’ He bowed, then nodded slightly at Caro, smiling, before departing.
37
Having to wait a day, a night and another day to see Caro was like having an itch in his blood that could not be scratched. Yet Rob so rarely called upon John he dare not change his ways too obviously. So, he waited impatiently until the night he had agreed to accompany them.
As he stood in the cold dark evening air on the step outside Pembroke House waiting for the door to open, he prayed for an opportunity to speak with Caro alone, and perhaps even a chance to kiss her.
While he had avoided raising the suspicions of his family over the last two days, he had raised suspicions among his friends this evening. They thought it highly amusing that he was spending his evening with his family. He had never been one to attend balls and such. He told them Mary was his closest sister and after his summer there he wanted to spend some time with her. He did not mention Caro’s name.
Finch opened the door and stepped back. The others were gathered in the hall beyond him. Rob smiled as he stepped in.
He had received a letter from his mother today, telling him his parents were coming to town in a fortnight, which would further restrict his opportunities to speak to Caro. They would notice if he acted differently. So, he must make the most of every opportunity in the next two weeks.
‘Did you bring your curricle?’ John asked.
‘No, I walked.’
‘Are your rooms close to here?’ Caro asked.
He faced her. Her appearance winded him with a gut punch. She was clothed in amber satin, which hugged her generous bosom and then her narrower waist, before flowing to the floor. The short, puffed sleeves suited her shoulders and arms, and the low cut of the bodice revealed the amber cross nestled in her cleavage.
He bowed to her. ‘They are a half hour’s walk away, but I do not mind the exercise and the streets are light enough tonight, it is cloudy but the full moon is breaking through.’
‘Let us go,’ John stated.
Rob stepped towards Caro, to stop Drew offering his arm first. He had come to escort Caro not Mary.
Rob lifted his arm. Caro’s hand settled on it. ‘Thank you,’ she said.
A rightness filled his soul.
His hand covered hers as it rested on his arm, and he mouthed silently,you look beautiful.
She smiled, and mouthed back,so do you.
The summer had begun to feel like a dream, but, no, this was very real; she was here with him, in flesh and bone, and love glowed like the brightest star.
In the carriage, she sat between himself and Drew. He longed to take up her hand, but he did not because he feared John wouldthink it strange, even though he heard the quickening of her breath as she fought her nerves.
When they arrived at Lord and Lady Pickford’s home, the carriage halted at the front of the queue, because, of course, as a Duke, John need not wait in a queue to disembark.
Rob climbed down first, having been the last to enter, and turned to help Caro, but it was Mary who took his hand, then John climbed down and helped Kate before Drew came and helped Caro.
Rob was sure Drew would have held on to Caro’s hand, but Caro intervened. ‘Drew, you must escort Mary. Rob will escort me.’
Rob smiled. ‘I am happy to do so.’
Drew nodded and released Caro’s hand.
Rob lifted his arm.
‘You are nervous…’ he whispered as the others walked ahead and her hand settled on his arm.
John’s carriage pulled away behind them and the next rolled forward.
