Page 71 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman (The Marlow Family Secrets #3)

When Rob turned on to the drive of Drew’s property, his heart thumped.

This morning, before leaving town, they bought a special licence.

Because of Caro’s divorce, it had been more trouble than he imagined, yet with a hefty donation and a lot of persuasion, the licence was approved.

They would be able to marry within a week.

If they had waited for banns to be read, Caro might have begun to show.

It was just as hard to convince the vicar of St George’s to undertake the marriage of a divorced woman. If Rob was not connected to so many dukes the answer would have been no. It was probably the first time in Rob’s life he was glad for his family’s status.

After visiting the vicar, he left the carriage outside Brooks’s for a few moments, with Caro waiting on the seat, and told his friends about his marriage before they saw the announcement in the newspaper.

They had congratulated themselves, considering they had been, ‘right all along’ .

Rob handed his reins to a groom who had come running to help, then climbed down with ten times more caution than he would have needed a few months ago. He walked about the curricle and helped Caro.

The front door of the house opened.

‘Caro, Rob…’ It was Drew, with George in his arms.

‘Aun’ie Caro! Uncle Bobbie!’ George’s arms stretched out. Caro covered the distance and took George from his father, hugging him tightly. His arms wrapped about her neck, and his legs about her body.

In scarce months, it would be their child in her arms.

George twisted and held his arms out to Rob.

‘I am still healing, George. I cannot walk and hold you, you are too big these days. Sit on my lap later.’

‘Come here, rascal.’ Drew took George back from Caro.

‘Where is Mary?’ Caro asked.

‘Feeding. She will be down in a moment. But, more importantly, why are you here?’ He looked from Caro to Rob. ‘Together…’

‘May I speak to you privately?’ Rob asked.

Drew put George down. ‘George, take Auntie Caro up to the nursery and show her your new soldiers.’

George grinned, caught Caro’s hand and pulled her away. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled a goodbye.

Embarrassment flooded Rob’s skin with heat. It was far too late for this conversation, but it was the right thing to do.

Drew gave him a nod and lifted a hand, encouraging Rob to follow Caro inside.

‘Will Uncle Bobbie play later?’ George asked Caro as they climbed the stairs.

‘I am sure he will. ’

Rob’s heart played the beat of a drum, thinking of their own child again, as he turned to the drawing room.

Drew shut the door behind them. ‘How may I help?’

‘I asked Caro to marry me. I thought it polite to ask for your agreement.’

Drew’s eyebrows shot up.

‘I can support her,’ Rob continued. ‘You were wrong when you told her to give me time. I did not need it. I am renting a property with farmland.’

‘I know you can support her, that was never my objection. But you are young to settle dow?—’

‘I am, but it is my choice and Caro’s choice, not yours.’

‘I am aware of Caro’s feelings, but I am concerned you may change your mind after time.’

‘I will not.’

‘Are you certain of this?’

‘Yes. Why can you not believe that I know my own heart and mind?’

Drew sighed out a breath, then laughed. ‘Probably because I am thinking of the shallow affections in my family; I forget the depth of feeling in yours.’

‘I am marrying Caro, Drew. With respect, I am merely asking in order to be polite. You cannot actually say no to me.’

Drew laughed again. ‘And so, you have my blessing. I know you will make her happy.’

Rob nodded. I will always make sure she is happy. It was a mental oath, like the oath he made to himself in the summer.

‘I shall fetch Mary,’ Drew said. ‘She will hate that I heard your news first.’

‘She will be upset with me, then, because Caro spent the night in London at John’s. He and Kate, Mama and Papa know, as well as my sisters. The announcement will be in the paper tomorrow. The wedding will be at St George’s on Tuesday.’

Drew smiled. ‘You will be in trouble with Mary, then.’

‘Drew,’ Rob said. ‘If I leave Caro here, would you ask Mary to help Caro buy what she needs for the wedding, and drive her back to town. We will be leaving for my new estate in Yorkshire immediately after the wedding.’

‘Of course.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Uncle Bobbie!’ George’s cry rang out. A moment later the door opened and George barrelled through. As George charged into Rob, pain seared up his leg. ‘Ah, George. Be a little careful. Let me sit down so I may hold you.’

‘Robbie!’ Mary swept into the room as excited as her son.

‘He and Caro have some news,’ Drew stated, his eyebrows lifting.

‘We are engaged,’ Rob said.

Mary looked at Caro, her mouth gaping, appearing truly surprised. ‘You are happy?’

‘Yes.’ Caro smiled at Mary’s confusion.

Rob laughed. ‘I hope you are, Caro. If you are not, I will be very sad.’

Mary looked at him. ‘When did this happen?’

‘Yesterday. We fell in love here in the summer, but it has taken us too long to agree to marry. I have a special licence now. We will be married on Tuesday.’

Mary beamed her excitement. ‘I am happy for you. This is wonderful. Will you stay for dinner?’

‘I should return to London,’ Rob said. ‘Caro, if I leave you with some money, would you go into town with Mary and buy what you need for the wedding and our journey north? Drew can bring you back to London the day after. ’

Caro nodded.

‘Would you like me to take you back to Maidstone?’

‘No, thank you. I will stay here if I am going to Maidstone with Mary tomorrow, and I think George may be a bit miffed with me if we both disappear having only just arrived.’

‘Then at least I will have time to drink a cup of tea,’ Rob said.