Page 28 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
Rowen had been surprised when Tobias explained that this would be their London residence. He had sold his father’s home and moved into his late brother’s townhouse instead. Rowen had not visited the house since Adele had lived there, but now she scarcely recognized it.
As she peered at the near-barren walls, the empty rooms, and the spartan halls, she wondered just how long her husband had lived in the house. Mrs. Patmore continued to explain the purpose of each room as she led the tour.
“Were we robbed?” Alistair gripped her hand more tightly, even as he moved in front of Rowen and Georgia as though to protect them both.
“The Duke likes to keep things simple,” Mrs. Patmore explained. Alistair had not managed to be as quiet as his sister. “Though I am sure, as the lady of the house, you will no doubt liven the place up.”
There is simple, and there is spartan. I have seen tombs that are more cosy and inviting.
Rowen kept her thoughts to herself, smiling broadly even as her heart sank into the pit of her stomach. “I am sure we will make this a lovely home. There are some lovely bones to work with, after all.”
“Bones?” Georgia’s eyes widened, and she peered around excitedly.
“Metaphorically speaking, of course,” Rowen added.
Her smile became more genuine at the look of relief on Alistair’s face and the look of disappointment on Georgia’s.
“It is rather like being handed a blank canvas. Take that wall, for instance. You could hang a lovely mirror on it, and it would reflect the light from the room and make this whole space seem brighter and bigger. You could draw attention to the oak panelswith some artwork. You could put a few seats in the corridor, and that would give people a place to rest while they waited.”
She realized with a start that her voice was full of excitement and that she had already been planning all the things she could do with the space.
Get a hold of yourself. This is not permanent.
“Seems you have an eye for décor, Your Grace. I look forward to seeing what you will do with the house.” Mrs. Patmore beamed at her.
“Provided His Grace agrees, of course.” Rowen gestured vaguely around them. “I would not want to upset too much too quickly.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Patmore inclined her head. “And to finish the tour, let me show you the children’s rooms.”
To Rowen’s immense relief, the children’s rooms were full of their things. The two rooms were connected by a small antechamber, but she suspected the twins would find a way to stay together more often than not.
The walls were lined with bookshelves, and there were several chests that Rowen knew were full of toys. A fire crackled merrily in the grate, and two thick rugs covered the floor.
Her children rushed into the room and immediately began exploring.
“I shall leave you two to settle in,” Rowen called after them before turning to the housekeeper. “Please make sure the governess readies them for dinner, Mrs. Patmore.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mrs. Patmore curtseyed. “If you need anything, please let me know.”
“I will.” Rowen inclined her head and walked back down the hall.
Her steps echoed across the hardwood floor as she moved through the empty corridors. As she walked down a flight of stairs, she caught sight of a portrait hanging on the wall of a room off the corridor.
She recognized Tobias’s piercing green eyes, though in the portrait, he was much younger, and he had no scar. He was smiling, and beside him stood another youth. He had messy dark hair and grey eyes. His lips were curled into a rakish smile that made her heart stop.
“James?” she whispered, moving towards the portrait. Her heels clicked on the floor, and she winced as the sound echoed around her. “A carpet would not go amiss.”
“So that you could sneak up on me more easily? I think not,” an amused voice said from behind her.
Rowen jumped and whipped around to see Tobias leaning against the doorframe, his mouth quirked into a half-smile.
She rested a hand on her chest, hoping to soothe her pounding heart. “You are a fine one to talk! You scared me half to death.”
“You can hardly be surprised to run into me in our own home.” He arched an eyebrow at her.
“I can when you appear out of nowhere. Besides, you told me that you would be out all day.” She swallowed and shook her head, wishing that she was not quite so flustered. “Do not tell me that you are already checking in on me? I am hardly going to burn the house down within minutes of setting foot in it. Not that there would be much to burn; the house is nearly empty.”
“I prefer to think of it as functionally simplistic.” Tobias waved his hand vaguely around them. “The ton gets too caught up in the trappings of wealth. It’s far better to keep things to a minimum.”
