Page 25 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman (The Marlow Family Secrets #3)

Caro had been unable to look at Rob during breakfast, afraid tears would catch her out. But as the morning progressed, while they played with George, they shared smiles often.

Mary suggested they all eat luncheon on blankets beneath the plane tree.

While they ate, George climbed onto Rob’s lap and remained there. Afterwards, Rob and Drew played cricket with George, with Rob carefully throwing the ball to George’s bat, and Drew helping George strike it further than he could alone.

George was going to miss Rob too, as would Iris; when Iris became grizzly with tiredness, Rob had walked about with her against his shoulder until she fell asleep.

Now, Caro watched him walk into the house beside Mary. He was carrying Iris up to the nursery for her nap.

He was close to Mary, so, he would come to visit. This would not be a final goodbye between him and her. It might be awkward between them in the future, but Caro would see him.

‘You are going to miss him.’

Caro looked at Drew. He was sitting beside her, his back resting against the tree trunk. George had fallen asleep on Drew’s outstretched legs, with a thumb pressed in his mouth.

‘Yes.’ She smiled. ‘I am grateful to him. He has done much to persuade me to stop hiding, and with him here I have felt less like a leech on your side.’

‘A leech…’ Drew frowned, his fingers stroking rhythmically through George’s hair.

‘I am a parasite,’ she said bluntly. ‘I am reliant on you, and I am sure you and Mary would rather be alone.’

‘We would not. Ask Mary. She does not think that. You are no parasite, Caro. You are loved and wanted here. So, you may remove that notion from your head. We love you, and the children adore you. This is your home as much as it is ours.’

‘Rob persuaded me to dine with you in the evenings because he felt awkward when it was the three of you. Rob sees things as I do.’

‘He said that to persuade you to come downstairs. He did not say it to make you feel uncomfortable when he left. Caro…’ Drew reached out and touched her hand. ‘Do not condemn yourself to your room when he leaves. You are very welcome to join us.’

‘I know, Drew. I am grateful. But I feel far less like an interloper with Rob here.’

‘Then, now you are more comfortable in company, we should invite people here, so you may establish your own social life and be less dependent on our company.’

She held the hand that had reached out to her. ‘Thank you. I would like that.’