Page 86 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
‘Welcome, Robbie, I am glad you could make it,’ Lord Forth said.
‘It is a shame Alethea could not come this year,’ Robbie commented. ‘I am sure she would enjoy London life.’
Lady Forth smiled. ‘I think she may have come despite her illness if she thought Henry would attend balls. When Henry is more inclined, then I think Alethea will make her debut.’
‘Lord and Lady Framlington,’ the butler said, introducing Mary and Drew and encouraging Caro and Rob to move on.
A hundred couples danced within the ballroom, spinning beneath the thousands of shimmering, candle-lit prisms dangling in the chandeliers above them, and as Lady Forth had expected, the room was crammed with people five-deep about its edge. Conversation and laughter almost drowned out the notes of the string quartet.
The air became more humid the further they walked into the room.
‘Would you like to dance the next?’ Rob offered. ‘If so, it is probably better I do not lead you, as I led you first the other night, but Drew will?—’
‘Are you well?’ Drew touched her arm.
Caro looked back. ‘I would prefer to dance than stand at the edge. Would you dance the next with me?’
‘If it helps you, yes.’
‘Mary, will you dance with me?’ Rob asked.
As soon as the music changed, they found a place in a set for a country dance. Drew stood opposite her, and Mary stood beside her, facing Rob. The need to concentrate on her steps helped Caro forget their audience. Though, people did not appear to be staring tonight.
‘Kilbride is here,’ Drew stated as he passed her in the pattern of the dance.
‘Where?’
‘In the corner, to the left of the door. He is watching you again.’
She glanced across and her gaze caught his. The pace of her heartbeat raised to a gallop as she looked back at Drew.
‘Ignore him.’
Yes, she fully intended to try, and yet it was disconcerting. The amber cross resting between her breasts whispered its presence; as she skipped through the steps, it jumped against her skin.
When the dance came to an end, Drew walked her to where the Pembroke family gathered. Alongside Rob and Mary.
Edward smiled towards her. ‘It is good to see you enjoying yourself, Caroline.’
She bobbed a shallow curtsy. ‘I conquered my fear with thanks to your son. Rob helped me in the summer.’
‘I know, Mary told us, and yet I had not imagined it to be such a transformation. Congratulations. You have always held my admiration, and now that is far greater. Do you think you might bring yourself to dance with me?’
‘Thank you, yes.’ She would rather dance with Rob’s family than with others.
Rob’s eyes came from Edward, they were the exact same colour. Their smiles were similar too. They joined a set that Rob also joined. He stood further along, partnering one of his cousins.
Caro was breathless when the dance ended, yet only from exertion. She was growing used to Albert’s stare.
As they rejoined the family group, Rob approached her. He looked at Drew. ‘I noticed two of your friends are here. Would you ask them to dance with Caro? I think she ought to keep dancing. It makes her feel more relaxed.’
Drew’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, and Edward coughed, clearing his throat as though he had choked, before turning away.
‘Rob,’ she reprimanded. It was true and yet it was not his place to tell Drew?—
‘Apparently I must be told how to help my sister.’ Drew looked at Mary who had also heard. ‘I must speak to Brooke and ask him to dance with Caro. Will you accompany me? Caro, you ought to stay among the family.’ He looked at Rob. ‘Surprisingly I am sensible enough to know that.’
As Drew walked away, Rob rolled his eyes and smiled. ‘I have upset him.’
