Page 91 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
‘Is there something between you?’
She shook her head, watching the candlelight shimmering on the decorative cuts in the brandy glass.
‘Caro,’ he said in an impatient impassioned tone. ‘I am not a fool. I have eyes. He rarely looks away from you when we are out, and he does not in general dance, which is not unusual for a young man, yet he takes pains to dance with you. Then tonight he deems to tell me how I ought to care for you. I was glad of your friendship with him in the summer. I am glad he has helped you. But, Caro, how far has it gone?’
The heat in her cheeks burned hotter.
‘How far?’
She shook her head, unwilling to discuss what was private.
He breathed in and huffed out the breath, expressing frustration. ‘I have no idea how to say this to my sister, but you must know, Mary and Rob are not like us. They have not been brought up to endure shallow hearts. They have never felt unloved… I am not explaining this… But damn it all to hell, Caro, I hope you have not been behaving like Elizabeth.’
‘Elizabeth…’ Their eldest sister. Caro frowned, not understanding.
‘Yes. Have you seduced him? Have you had intercourse with him? Mary’s bloody brother!’
‘I-I…’
‘Most of Robbie’s family do not participate in affairs, and Robbie is known as a rare young man who does not dally with women. His cousins tease him about his morality.’
‘I did not intend?—’
‘If you have lain with him, as far as I am aware, you are his first. Are you? Have you been playing games with the boy?’
Drew’s words cut like a double-edged sword plunging into her.
‘He is not a boy, and I am not playing games with him.’
‘Are you not?’ Drew’s eyebrows shot up. ‘He is one and twenty, with no property of his own, he will not have the money to buy a property for five or more years, and he is fiercely independent. His independence is very important to him. He would not even look to fund his future with marriage, he will want to earn it. I have not once heard him speak of looking for a wife. So, what is it you are doing if it is not toying with his life?’
Her lips pressed closed, as no words could answer his question.
‘You came to town to see him, did you not?’
She did not answer.
‘I heard his cousins talking about his odd behaviour yesterday. They speak about him in White’s because he avoids that club, because he prefers to avoid their interest in him. Your name has not yet been linked to his odd behaviour, but it will be soon if you continue this, and it will break him. He will hate being the centre of gossip.’
She sipped the brandy because her throat was so dry, then coughed.
‘What happened when you went for that long drive when I was out?’
Warmth flooded her cheeks. ‘It is not what you think.’
‘Is it not? I concede he is not a boy, and I know the two of you formed a friendship in the summer, but it should have gone no further. If you are his first, such a thing engenders emotion and Robbie is a young man with high morals, he will feel obligated to marry you.’
Caro’s teeth caught her lower lip. She wanted to deny everything Drew said, yet it was true.
‘He has said he is in love with you, has he not? It shows in his every look. I imagine it will be a mortal wound to him if you end whatever it is you started. But I urge you to do it, even though it will cut deep. Give the lad time, Caro, let him grow up and find his feet. If there really is something between you it will stand the test of time. He will return to you later. Do not snatch the poor man straight from the cradle.’
‘It is hardly the cradle,’ she said.If she was his first, why had he not said so?The time they’d spent in that empty hut returned. She had urged him. He would not have done it if she had not urged him.
Did I seduce him?
‘I did nothi?—’
‘You have done more than nothing with him. Your face says so.’
