“I have made my thoughts known to him already,” his father responded. “Caleb knows his duty to this family.”
Duty.
There was that word again. He knew what his duty was. It was to King and Country. Shoving back his chair, he rose and said, “And with that, I am leaving.”
His mother gave him a knowing look. “Do you intend to call upon Miss Delacourt?”
With great reluctance, he admitted, “I am taking her on a carriage ride, but do not read anything into it.”
“Very well,” his mother said. “I will respect your wishes… for now.”
With a shake of his head, Caleb departed from the dining room, knowing his mother was trying hard to contain her excitement. He hated to disappoint her but he had no intention of pursuing Miss Delacourt. Or anyone, for that matter. He was a spy, first and foremost. And he would remain as one until his father passed, after which he would inherit his father’s title- a day he did not eagerly anticipate.
Caleb exited the townhouse and stepped into the open carriage. Why did his mother believe he needed a wife to be happy? He was content on his own. It was much easier to be a spy without a wife underfoot.
The carriage merged into traffic and drove the short distance to Simone’s townhouse. He had been against this partnership at the beginning, but it was growing on him. Hefound Simone to be rather intriguing. He was slowly breaking down the barriers that she hid behind, and he was starting to see glimpses of who Simone truly was.
He would need to be patient with her. He knew she hated to be vulnerable- with anyone. Which is why he had grown so concerned last night when he had seen her red-lined eyes. The thought that she was hurting greatly upset him.
Caleb stepped out of the carriage and approached Simone’s townhouse. He rapped on the door to make his presence known.
The door promptly opened and the butler stood to the side to let him enter. “Welcome, Mr. Bolingbroke,” he greeted. “Miss Delacourt is expecting you.”
He stepped into the entry hall and waited as the butler closed the door.
The butler gestured towards the drawing room. “Follow me, sir,” he directed. “I shall announce you.”
Caleb followed the butler into the drawing room and saw Simone was standing in front of the settee, dressed in a pale blue gown. Her whole face seemed to light up when she saw him, or was that him? He wasn’t quite sure, but the whole room seemed brighter because of it.
He bowed. “Miss Delacourt.”
Simone dropped into a curtsy. “Mr. Bolingbroke,” she murmured.
“Shall we go on our carriage ride?” he suggested.
“Yes, please.” Simone gestured towards the lady’s maid in the corner. “Felicity will be joining us, assuming you have no objections.”
“I have none,” Caleb replied.
Simone nodded in approval. “Wonderful,” she said. “I have been looking forward to our carriage ride all morning.”
Caleb approached her and offered his arm. “You are looking particularly lovely today.”
She gave him an exasperated look. “You cannot seem to help yourself, can you?”
“It is merely the truth.”
“Please keep thetruthto yourself,” Simone said. “We are partners, and you shouldn’t notice such things about me.”
“Then I would be blind.”
Simone placed her hand on his sleeve. “Let’s practice thinking about something, but not saying it out loud. Is that even possible for you?” she asked.
“Some women would be flattered by such a compliment,” Caleb teased.
“I am not like most women.”
Caleb bobbed his head. “No truer words have ever been said,” he said. “But surely you know how beautiful you are.”
