Page 93 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
He caught hold of her hand, bowed over it and kissed the back of her fingers. Then straightened and released her.
Sadness shone in her eyes and she did not smile.
‘You look as though you have not slept,’ he said.
She looked beyond his shoulder.
Rob glanced back, following her gaze. Drew was watching them.
He smiled at Drew, then looked back at Caro as a feeling of premonition sent a shiver through his nerves. Something felt wrong. But she must still be discombobulated after last evening. ‘I brought my curricle so you can ride with me.’
‘It is better I do not. Phillip has offered already and I accepted.’
Phillip…The name was a punch to Rob’s chest. ‘Why?’
‘Because we should not spend so much time together.’
‘The carriages are ready, and we are all here, so I propose we leave!’ Kate called across the room.
Dumbfounded, Rob nodded and turned away.
Instead of Caro, Rob took Jenny and Helen in his curricle, the two of them squeezed in beside him, smiling brightly, in their fashionable straw bonnets and scarlet wool cloaks. As soon as the girls were settled, he signalled to the groom to let go of his horses. He flicked the straps to start the animals walking and steered them around the line of carriages to take the lead. He did not wish to hang about to see Caro with Phillip, and yet, it was Phillip’s curricle that followed behind him.
Why had she not wanted to ride with him? It would have been a perfect opportunity for them to talk. His family knew they were friends, they would not have thought it odd.
‘Are you jealous that Caroline is riding with Phillip? You keep looking back,’ Helen said.
‘You are always looking at her,’ Jenny added.
Rob’s jaw stiffened with an urgent desire to defend himself as he looked at his sisters.
‘We heard you danced with her,’ Jenny stated.
‘She conquered her discomfort in the summer. She dances now, not just with me,’ he answered, looking at the road ahead.
‘She is pretty, though, isn’t she,’ Helen added. ‘Papa said he thinks she has caught your eye.’
‘And who did he say this to?’ Discomfort twisted in Rob’s stomach. Why was his father talking about them? Was that why she refused to ride with him?
‘To Mama, in their rooms, but I overheard.’
‘And you thought it wise to repeat it?’
‘Only to you, and Helen, no one else. Do you like her?’
Yes, a lot.‘Jenny. You are not to say anything to anyone and you may tell Papa, if you dare to admit you were eavesdropping, that Caroline and I are friends. We became friends in the summer when I stayed with Mary. There is nothing more.’
‘Except that she is entirely different, and Mary says that is down to you. And Papa says you are acting oddly.’
‘It is still only friendship, and you will embarrass her if you share this.’
‘I heard Cousin Frederick talking and saying you were acting oddly too,’ Helen said.
‘And you would take his word for that?’ He had no interest in the opinion of his arrogant cousin.Inferior. That horrible word rattled through his brain. ‘I am acting as I act.’ He glanced at Helen and Jenny. ‘No more talk of this, and if you hear anyone else say anything about me, please tell them to stop and mind their own business.’
Less than an hour ago, he had hoped to announce his engagement.
‘It is better we do not, Rob.’ The words themselves would not be concerning if she had only decided to be cautious, but the tone of her voice and the look of sadness in her eyes had disturbed him. What if someone in his family had said something to her?
