The Secret Love of a Gentleman. Jane Lark

nodded.

      They left the room together, but when Mary turned towards the dining room, Caro turned to climb the stairs.

      ~

      Caro waited in the drawing room of the Pembrokes’ giant Palladian mansion, seated in a corner, beside Mary’s mother, her fingers clasped in her lap, struggling to control her breathing and the pounding of her heart.

      But Drew was here. Free. She had been told by the Duchess an hour ago that he’d arrived. They’d all hoped today. She’d heard them talking even from upstairs.

      The house was full of people. All of Mary’s extended family had come from town to celebrate on Drew’s behalf, and they were all in the room. Caro felt crowded as she waited, smothered by them. Her nerves screamed.

      Mary’s mother had said he was with Mary still. Yet he must come down soon. Caro had been waiting nearly half an hour.

      When Mary came into the room she was alone. She walked across it and whispered something in her father’s ear, then they left together.

      Caro’s gaze hung on the door while Mary’s mother talked of her younger children. Caro was not listening.

      The noise of conversation was intense, deafening. A shiver ran up her spine. It was more than simple fear, though. There was annoyance and anger inside her too. She wished to scream as much as run.

      She was falling to pieces. At any moment the panic inside would explode and she would shatter like glass.

      But Drew was free…

      Maybe she ought to retire to her rooms. He would come up to her.

      She was about to stand and declare her apology when he came into the room, his hand holding Mary’s.

      The room broke into applause and he smiled self-consciously. She had never seen him look humble as he did in that moment, and yet there was pride in his eyes when he looked at Mary. He had won himself a place in this family. He had achieved what Caro never would—a good marriage. He deserved this. She did not begrudge him it and nor would she spoil this moment for him. She would not run.

      While the men moved to speak with him, Caro tried to make conversation with Mary’s mother, but all the time her awareness was on the proximity of her brother. She looked up. Drew spoke with Mary’s younger brother, Robert, a tall, slender youth. Mary lifted a hand and pointed Caro out, and then Drew looked and a moment later he turned towards her. But his progress towards her was hindered by well-wishers.

      The sight of him filled Caro with a mix of emotions, relief and happiness, he was her home, the only place she felt safe, but there was sadness too, to know that she was dependent on him.

      When Drew reached her he sank down onto his haunches and took her hands in his, looking concerned. “How are you, Caro?”

      Caro hugged him and broke into sobs, the pent-up fear and pain spilling out of her. He held her in return.

      “I am glad you are safe. I am sorry. This was my fault,” she whispered in his ear.

      “No,” he whispered back, speaking into her ear too. “It was not. It was Kilbride’s, but it is done with, and all will be well now, I promise.”

      “I feared for you, but it seems now you have all you deserve.”

      “I was afraid for me too,” he jested. “This feels strange, doesn’t it? I shall not lie. I am ready to run as much as you are, I should think… But these people are not like ours, Caro –“

      “I know.”

      “The Duke of Arundel, Lord Wiltshire, Mary’s uncle, told me Kilbride is going to sue for divorce. You will be free soon, too, and then you may begin a new life.”

      Fresh tears gathered in her eyes. Albert wished to be rid of her entirely, and then he would find a wife who would bear him children. The pain of that cut at her heart. Drew pulled away and gripped her hands gently.

      He would never understand if she told him she loved Albert still.

      Mary touched Drew’s shoulder and Caro looked up to see her holding out a gentleman’s handkerchief. Lord Marlow’s, Mary’s father’s.

      “Thank you.” Caro forced a smile, then looked away as she dabbed at her tears.

      “All will be well, now,” Drew said, his hand patting her arm. Then he stood and looked at Lord Marlow. “I thought you were hungry. Are we not going to eat?”

      Lord Marlow turned and in a moment the dinner gong sounded.

      Caro’s heart pounded, but Drew gave Mary an apologetic smile and raised his arm to Caro.

      She stood and lay her fingers on his sleeve. Drew was her security—and now her only hold on sanity. She could not have walked into the room to dine without him.

      “I shall buy you some new clothes,” he said quietly as they walked ahead of Mary and her father. “Living among the Pembrokes is not the same as living in a cottage.”

      “I cannot bear this, Drew, is there nowhere else –”

      “I have a home. I am buying a property bordering Pembroke’s. You will have a home there too, Caro.”

      Tears blurred her vision again. She was grateful, and yet she did not wish to be a burden and beholden to him for the rest of her days, a poor, shamed, dependent relation.

      She would be a blight on his happy home.

       Chapter 5

       Three years later

      Rob leaned on a windowsill in the first-floor drawing room, looking out onto the gardens below. His gaze caught a sudden movement across the lawn. It could have been the shadow of a cloud sweeping across the sky, if the movement was dark and not light. But it had been something pale blue.

      It could have been a ghost if it was night and not midday. But it was not a spectre. He would lay strong odds it was the tail end of Caroline Framlington’s skirt disappearing behind the hedge. Perhaps a ghost of sorts, then.

      Rob leant more firmly onto the windowsill.

      Her fingers had held the rim of her bonnet, hiding her face as she’d hurried away, head down, scurrying from the house.

      He assumed she’d left the house because he’d arrived. He had not even come within ten feet of her. It did not bode well.

      “Do not take it personally.” His brother-in-law said jovially, in a low tone, resting a palm on Rob’s shoulder. “Caro does not appreciate company.”

      Rob turned to look at Drew “And male company particularly… Yes, I know. Are you sure it is a good idea for me to stay here if it will disturb her?”

      “Life must go on, Robbie, she cannot orchestrate what we do. Caro will keep to her rooms as she does most of the time. I wish she would be braver, but I do not have the heart to force her into facing her fears, and yet nor will I pander to them. She’ll cope because she has to. We have servants, after all, and men among them. It is not only Mary and I who live here. It is just because your presence is unfamiliar and so she feels threatened.”

      “I could stay at John’s.”

      “Rattling about your brother’s monstrosity of a mansion on your own. No, Robbie. Mary invited you for the summer because she wants to spend time with you. You and I can go out shooting and fishing, and riding.”

      “I can ride over daily from John’s and do that. His property is only a few miles from yours.”

      “And kick around the house alone all night, bored. Do not be foolish. You will stay, and Caro will adjust. It is only going to be for the summer. Caro will survive.”

      “Or