Page 74 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman (The Marlow Family Secrets #3)

Rob was at White’s with his Uncle Robert, following a meeting with Uncle Robert’s businessman. They were celebrating. His uncle had bought Rob luncheon, because Rob now had the keys to Allington Manor in his pocket. The place that would become a home to him, Caro and their child.

Rob rubbed his leg. Too long in a chair and his thigh began to hurt. ‘I need to stretch my leg. If you will excuse me, I will walk back now.’

His uncle had met some friends and the conversation had broadened anyway.

He nodded at Rob and raised a hand.

Rob walked into the hall of the club smiling, thinking about showing Caro the keys. Then almost walked straight into Lord Kilbride.

‘The Marlow boy,’ he sneered. ‘I was looking for you earlier.’

Rob’s mind turned to a dark night and heavy blows. ‘Kilbride. Is this hall not a little light and overcrowded for you to deliver one of your messages? ’

‘You cannot have her,’ Kilbride said bluntly.

‘That is not your choice.’ Rob said without looking at him as he continued walking past him. The gossip a fight in a public place would cause would only hurt Caro.

‘She will always be mine!’ he shouted.

Rob turned back, unable to stop himself. ‘She walked away from you the night you sent your thugs after me. She hates you.’

‘Robbie…’ Rob’s Uncle Robert walked into the hall.

Kilbride glared. ‘What happened to you was nothing compared to what I will do.’ He walked away.

Rob turned to leave.

His uncle caught up with him. ‘I will walk back to John’s with you. What was he speaking of? What did he do to you?’

Rob said nothing. ‘What happened to you was nothing compared to what I will do.’ He was unsure if he had been threatening him or Caro.

‘Your injuries… Was that attack to do with him? Those men who left you lying in the street half dead were not thieves, were they?’

‘No.’

‘Does your father know?’

‘Yes, but he is the only one. I will manage it myself.’ Manage it… He scoffed at the words. He had chosen to do nothing in response to the attack. He had chosen to give the bully no control by not responding. But he could not risk him hurting Caro.

‘Does Caroline know?’

‘No. It would worry her.’

‘Why does he care? He divorced her.’

‘He might have divorced her, but he still wants to keep possession of her.’

His uncle sighed. ‘What am I to do, then? ’

‘As I said, nothing. Ignore him. I will be careful and ensure Caro is always with someone until we leave.’

‘If that is what you want.’

‘It is.’