Page 64 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

He glanced quickly at Timothy before looking back at her. Again, his look was knowing, as was his grin. “I seem to remember an incident by the correspondence table that might have resulted in such a thing.”

“An incident…” Her eyes widened with understanding, and her cheeks turned so pink that she felt them burn. “Oh.”

“Incident? What happened?” Timothy asked.

Arabella could have died from embarrassment! She looked away, unable to meet Caspian’s knowing stare. And as Timothy questioned her again, Caspian simply laughed.

To be fair, it was rather amusing. Further to that point, Arabella was pleased that Caspian was willing to remind her of what they had done. Still, neither of them had mentioned it directly, so the fact that he brought it up showed it had been on his mind, just as it had been on hers.

“It looks as if I am busy today.” She widened her eyes with warning at Caspian. “Perhaps you and Timothy can spend the day together instead?”

“Oh…” Caspian leaned back, a moment of dread passing across his face.

“Yes!” Timothy cried. “Can we? Please!” He looked eagerly at Caspian, desperate for him to say yes.

Caspian saw Arabella watching him. He then looked at Timothy, who remained eager. And it was because of this that the dread faded from his face, replaced by a sense of excitement. He did, after all, want to be a better father, so what better chance was there than this?

“That sounds exactly like what I want to do,” he said.

“Tell the driver I will be out shortly,” Arabella told the footman. “Once I finish breaking my fast.”

They spent the next thirty minutes eating together. Nothing exciting was said. No great revelations were made. But it was easy, simple, effortless, and perfect. Finally, after having tried so hard, they were starting to turn into a family, and from the way Caspian smiled and Timothy beamed, Arabella knew that such things were not an accident and would not end abruptly.

This is my life now, and I could not be happier with it.

Arabella left once she finished breaking her fast, and things became awkward immediately.

Caspian was still seated at the head of the table, while Timothy sat one place down. Their plates were cleared promptly, which left them together. At first, Caspian said nothing, and Timothy joined him in silence, which was their only companion.

Well… this is thoroughly uncomfortable.

“How did you like breakfast?” he asked Timothy.

“It was good,” Timothy said as he fidgeted with his hands.

“Good,” Caspian said. “I am glad.” He clicked his tongue, still uncertain of how to proceed. “How is Miss White treating you?” he asked next. “Are you enjoying your lessons?”

Timothy shrugged. “They are fine.”

“Good,” Caspian said again.

Again, silence found them.

It had never occurred to Caspian how little time he had spent with Timothy. The boy had lived with him for three years, and while they had never been close during that time, he did not consider just how little they knew one another.

Mostly, his relationship with Timothy was through chastisement. Always, the boy was in trouble, and it was up to Caspian to ensure that he was kept in line. Not in a way that had Caspian punishing him, but surely Timothy saw Caspian as a firm hand and a strict reminder to be on his best behavior.

But spending time together as a father and son might? It was unheard of. And that was a problem… One that Caspian needed to fix.

“What…” He cleared his throat. “What would you like to do today?” he asked Timothy.

Timothy shrugged and continued to fidget with his hands. “I do not mind.”

“What would you and Arabella do if it were just the two of you?”

“Card games, mostly,” Timothy said. “Sometimes, we go for a walk. Or I might hide, and she will try to find me. But we do not have to do that if you do not want.” His brow furrowed, and he looked down at his lap. “I can… You do not have to spend time with me. I do not mind.”

Caspian winced, even rearing back as if struck.