Page 49 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
Eric would hate the thought of them living so far away. He would have known how to keep them safe. They would not need to do this.
“When will you leave?” Tobias asked.
The pressure in his chest increased as he pictured Erica in a carriage traveling up North. He could not bring himself to look at his brother’s smiling face.
“In a month or so. We need to make some arrangements, and the Baron wishes to hire guards to accompany us on the journey, and must make sure they are reputable,” Martha explained. “And he wants to plan out a route and ensure we only stay at inns where he can be assured of our safety.”
“It seems he has thought of everything.” Tobias felt a coldness seep over his body.
That is what I should have done. It is what Eric would have done.
“It is good to know that he wishes to care for you so well.”
“It is. I really think that we will want for nothing while we are with him. Well, almost nothing.” Martha’s eyes drifted back to Eric’s portrait, and her smile faded.
“He would want this for you. The fact that you will be taken care of far better than I could ever hope to manage—I suspect he will be smiling upon all of us.” Tobias’s voice sounded distant to his own ears.
“You have been a lifeline. I know that your brother would be proud.” Martha gave him a kind smile.
Tobias nodded.
Perhaps if I had done more, you would not be taking my niece to the other side of the country.
It was a selfish thought, but he would not spoil her happiness with it.
“Although you will be under the Baron’s care, you should know that if you are ever in need of anything, I will always be here. My brother loved you a great deal, and I would not want my niece to suffer. You are both family, even though you and Eric were never married. I think of you as my sister-in-law.”
“I know that.” Martha stroked Erica’s hair, her face soft with love as she looked at her daughter. “And it is kind, but with any luck, we will not need your assistance.”
Her words were kind, but they felt like a dagger to his heart. The feeling only increased his guilt.
He knew he should be happy, thrilled even. His niece was getting a life he could not even have dreamed of. Martha, too, would be looked after.
But why does it feel like I have failed?
Tobias could not help but look at Eric’s portrait and wonder just what his brother would think of the situation. No doubt, he would have known what to do.
Fifteen
“Icannot believe it is finally finished.” Rowen let out a sigh as she leaned back in her new armchair and sipped her tea.
After a fortnight of receiving delivery men, painters, and decorators, the renovations were finally over. Rowen ran her eyes over the fresh wallpaper, the comfortable furniture, the thick rugs, and the vibrant curtains.
To celebrate, she had invited Verity on a tour of the house. She would have asked Adele and Cora, but both women had left for the country for a week.
“It is hard to believe this is the same house Adele used to call home.” Verity smiled at Rowen and gestured around the room. “I imagine your husband had more than a few thoughts about the changes.”
Rowen frowned. Though their truce remained intact, she had not seen much of Tobias following his disastrous lesson with Alistair.
Yet something about Verity’s tone made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and she bristled.
“Tob—The Duke is not an unreasonable man. He may have needed a little convincing, but that is all.” She tried to keep her tone light.
Verity arched an eyebrow at her. “And by convincing, you mean…?”
“Exactly that.” Rowen helped herself to a biscuit. “All I did was explain the benefits of having furniture in the house, and Tob—the Duke saw sense.”
“Of course.” Verity’s voice was polite, but Rowen knew her friend well enough to hear the disbelief in it.
