Page 46 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
The words still echoed in his mind.
“Full of trouble.” Martha’s amused voice brought him back to the present. “She has discovered that she enjoys climbing.”
“Has she?” Tobias grinned at Erica, who was tugging on the lapels of his jacket as though to pull herself up onto his shoulders. “She probably gets that from our side of the family. Eric was always climbing things.”
Before Martha could say anything, a knock sounded at his study door. He looked up to see Rowen standing in the doorway. His heart leapt, but he kept his expression neutral.
“Oh, I did not realize you had company.” Her gaze darted from him to Martha, and her back stiffened. “Miss Carver.”
“Your Grace.” Martha curtseyed.
Tobias’s brow creased as he noted a subtle but distinct frostiness in Rowen’s voice. “Was there something you needed, Rowen?”
“I wanted to discuss some of the children’s lessons with you, but that can wait. I would not want to keep you from your family.” Rowen gestured to the toddler who was tugging on his hair.
Tobias thought he saw a flash of sadness in her eyes, but perhaps he was imagining it. “You are welcome to join us.”
“I think not.” Rowen inclined her head towards Martha. “Though I shall have Cook send up some refreshments. Will you want anything for your daughter, Miss Carver?”
“A little bread if you have any.” Martha smiled.
Rowen’s answering smile was polite, but Tobias saw her fingers twitch. “I shall see what we can arrange.”
Tobias did not realize that he had stepped towards Rowen until he felt Martha’s hand on his arm. He looked at her, and she shook her head. When he looked up, Rowen was no longer in the doorway.
“That was…” He frowned, trying to understand what had just happened.
“To be expected.” Martha took Erica from him. “She was perfectly polite, Your Grace.”
“Martha, we’ve been over this. Please call me Tobias. You are the mother of my brother’s child.” Tobias stared at the open door and massaged the back of his neck. “And I know she was polite, but…”
“She is wary of me.” Martha shrugged. “Her friend was nearly hanged, and it was my fault.”
“It was my father’s fault, you mean. You were not the one who accused her of the crime.” Tobias clenched his fists. “He did that, and he threatened you into silence.”
His father had tried to frame Adele for the crime he had committed. Tobias remembered being dragged to the audience chamber, remembered the numbness as he realized what kind of man the late Duke had been.
He killed my brother simply for falling in love with a servant.
His stomach churned.
“Be that as it may, I was not kind to the Duchess of Scarfield. I was not kind at all.” Martha shook her head sadly. “And your wife is one of her closest friends. It is natural that she is wary of a woman who caused someone she loves so much pain.”
“But that was years ago.” Tobias waved a dismissive hand.
“She does not know me, and I do not know her.” Martha gave him a flat look. “Besides, she has been a mother without a husband for rather a long time, and that… I know how hard that can be, even if our circumstances are different.” She took a step towards him, her frown deepening. “And on that note, there is something I need to tell you.”
Tobias stiffened, and a prickle of unease raised the hairs on his body. “You make it sound serious.”
“It is not, but… Well, I will be leaving London soon. I have been offered a job as a governess in the Baron Arlington’s estate. He knows of my history, but he is willing to overlook it. He has two young boys and a daughter about Erica’s age.” Martha swallowed. “It would mean that you need not look after me anymore.”
“I will always support you and little Erica,” Tobias insisted.
“That is kind of you to say, Your Gr?—”
“Please, it’s Tobias.”
Martha opened her mouth and closed it several times before shaking her head and sighing. “I do not wish to be a burden on you, and you are married now with your own family. You must tend to their needs.”
