Page 19 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“That is in three days! You cannot be serious.”
“And why would I joke about such a thing? There is plenty of time to prepare for what needs to be done. I have done most of the legwork already.” He waved her objection away.
On his shoulders, David imitated the movement.
Rowen took a step towards him. “Oh, you have, haven’t you?”
“The license has been secured, the church has been booked, and the priest has been notified.”
“And what about my dress? Or are you expecting me to get married in my previous wedding gown?”
“And have the ton think poorly of my dearest wife? Of course not. I expect you to wear a dress worthy of a duchess.”
“Then you should postpone the wedding. A dress like that requires time.” She gave him a smile so venomous that he could practically taste it.
He arched an eyebrow at her. “And you have plenty. Besides, I have already contacted Madame Genevieve and booked out the shop for you and the children tomorrow. The carriage will pick you all up around noon.”
“I was planning on going to Mrs. Green on Oxford Street.”
“Mrs. Green does not make children’s clothes. You will go to Madame Genevieve.”
“Mrs. Green happens to be a very dear friend and one of the few people who can wrangle Alistair and Georgie into a fitting and not have it end in tears. If I am to have a dress worthy of a duchess, she will be the one who makes it.”
Tobias could see the triumph in her eyes.
He took a step closer to her, swinging David into his arms as he did. “See that it is. I want everyone to see just how ravishing my bride is.”
To his satisfaction, spots of color appeared on Rowen’s cheeks, and her eyes narrowed. “Then you should give me ample time to prepare for the ceremony. Three days is nowhere near enough.”
“I am certain you will make it work. After all, you are so very…” He let his eyes roam over her body. “Capable.”
“Then you will welcome my thoughts on the rest of the wedding. Such as the menu for breakfast.” She flashed a smile that sent a thrill through him.
He gave a wolfish grin, inclining his head towards her slowly. “Of course.”
His heart sped up, hammering a wild beat in his chest. Every inch of his skin buzzed, as though he were standing at the heart of an electric storm. The usual numbness faded, replaced with something wilder. Something he had not felt since he had been on the battlefield.
What is wrong with me?
He made to shake his head, remembered that David was still on his shoulders, and stopped. The wolfish grin was still on his face, and he forced himself to keep it there.
I need to take back control.
“I think we should have guinea fowl,” Rowen declared.
“It is not the season for them,” he said without hesitation.
“That did not stop the Baron Damson at his daughter’s wedding.” There was a challenge in her eyes, and he heard clearly her unspoken words.
He was only a baron, and you are a duke. You should be able to do such things with ease.
“If your heart is set on them, then I shall see that it is done.” He waited for the triumph in her eyes to fade before continuing. “But if we are to have guinea fowl, then we must have white wine with the meal. And champagne for the toasts.”
“For such a gamey meat? I think red wine would be far more suitable.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Without missing a beat, Tobias gave a languid shrug. “If it were a wedding dinner, perhaps. But it is not. Besides, red wine will eclipse the taste.”
“Then perhaps we should have a wedding dinner instead of a breakfast.” Her smile was dagger sweet.
