Page 17 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman (The Marlow Family Secrets #3)

Rob eyed Caro with determination as he twisted the stem of his wine glass in his fingers, facing her across the dining table. ‘You must come.’

Her desire was to poke her tongue out at him, but she would not do so before Drew and Mary. Instead, she scowled.

‘Why not, Caro?’ Drew pushed.

She ignored him.

Drew, Mary and Rob had visited a neighbour for dinner the night before last. She had not joined them, she had no interest in stirring up her sensitive nerves. But the neighbour had informed them of an assembly ball taking place in Maidstone, and now they were trying to persuade her to attend.

‘All three of us will be with you,’ Mary urged. ‘Why not take this opportunity to enjoy yourself?’

‘You need not even dance,’ Drew stated. ‘One of us will stay with you.’

‘I will stay with you,’ Rob said. ‘These two will wish to dance with each other. ’

‘We will not,’ Mary answered. ‘I can barely persuade him to dance one set, even if it is a waltz. Drew does not like dancing.’

‘Dancing is superfluous,’ he responded, laughing, ‘once you have a wife.’

‘Well, I enjoy it,’ Mary bit back.

‘Then I will dance with you, and Drew can keep Caro company.’ Rob smiled at Mary, then looked back at Caro. ‘I dare you,’ he said.

She shook her head. ‘No, Rob.’

‘Why?’

‘Rob…’ She urged him to be silent.

‘Let us talk about this in the comfort of the drawing room over a hand of cards.’ Drew rose. They all rose then, their chairs scraping on the parquet floor.

Rob held her elbow as she walked. She was used to his touch now, it was not an issue.

They had taken three early-morning rides together in the last week.

When they did, he would hold his joined hands in a step for her to mount – and clasp her waist to lift her down when they returned. His touch had become commonplace.

He leaned to her ear. ‘I cannot understand what you are so afraid of. It is just a local country dance. I understand you do not like to touch others, so come and do not dance. But you might enjoy the conversation. It might break your boundaries wide open, and you will not know yourself by the time you leave. Be brave, Caro. I know you are.’

‘Rob.’ She sighed, willing him to stop pleading.

‘You trust me now. You trust Drew and Mary. We will not let anything bad happen, and if you hate it, I will bring you home.’

‘You do not understand.’ She stopped and faced him as Drew and Mary walked on .

When she had first become friendly with Rob, Drew had raised his eyebrows on occasion, but now it was natural and nothing to comment on.

‘I understand that you keep yourself shut away in this house like a prisoner. You should break out.’

Rob’s fingers touched her cheek, and his thumb accidentally brushed the edge of her lips. ‘Please come, for my sake?’ he said. ‘You have immense courage, remember it.’ He was so close, his breath caressed her lips.

She wished to lift to her toes and press her lips against his; there was something invisible within her pulling her to do so.

She had begun imagining kissing him since the day they crossed the stream. She thought she saw the same pull in his eyes then. It was not there today. Did I imagine it?

‘You would have said you could not talk to me like this or abide my touch a couple of weeks ago. Think, if you attend this ball, and smite your fears, what might you do next? Anything could become possible.’

He was right, of course. She should go. She should stop locking herself away in her glass gaol. ‘I will go,’ for your sake. The last words erupted in her thoughts, but she did not say them. She wished to be in his company at a dance, that is why she would go.

‘Caro! Rob! Are you coming? I have dealt.’ Drew’s voice carried into the hall.

Rob smiled cheerfully. ‘Then, that is settled.’ He cupped her elbow. ‘Come along, let us tell Drew.’

She took a deep breath. What had she just agreed to?

When they reached the drawing room, he immediately announced, ‘Caro is coming to the assembly.’

Drew looked up, his lips parting and his eyebrows lifting. He said nothing .

He would be happy that she was going. He had tried to persuade her to stop hiding here for years.

Mary stood. ‘Oh, I am so glad. We will have fun.’ She came about the table and gave Caro a sisterly embrace.