Page 56 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
For a moment, he thought she looked disappointed, but that made no sense. When he looked more closely, her expression was neutral.
She moved towards the door. “I am glad you approve of the décor.”
“As am I, Rowen.” He turned away from her and listened to the sound of her retreating footsteps.
Warmth mingled with the cold. Absentmindedly, he traced the windowsill where her fingers had been moments ago.
“What will it be like when you leave?” he murmured, trying to ignore the odd pang in his chest.
That was a problem for another day.
Seventeen
“Come on, you two, or we will be late for the show,” Rowen called up the stairs as she pulled on her gloves.
It was the day after her talk with Tobias in the library, and she had decided to take the children to the theater. She had debated asking Tobias to join them, but had decided against it.
The memory of his sadness when he had spoken of moving into the house moved her. She could understand trying to push painful things away.
Goodness knows, I have had to do more than my fair share of it.
But she also knew how lonely it could be, and much to her irritation and confusion, she found that the thought of Tobias feeling isolated made her chest ache.
“Coming, Mama.” Georgie appeared at the top of the stairs.
She was wearing a light blue dress and her usual red coat. Alistair walked up behind her, wearing a set of well-tailored tails. His hair was carefully styled in a way that made him seem even more sombre and more adult..
“Are you sure this is sensible, Mother? I still have much to study, and I am behind on my arithmetic.” He looked behind him, towards the stairs.
“One night will not do much harm.” Rowen ushered the children into the carriage. “And you love the theater! And I feel like I have scarcely seen the pair of you since we moved in here.”
“Well, our lessons are rather rigorous.” Alistair looked at Georgie, who was swinging her legs back and forth on the seat.
“Not that we mind. It’s good to learn so much,” Georgie chimed in. “And I enjoy fencing, too.”
“As glad as I am that you are both studying hard, I think it is important you also take a break.” Rowen smiled at them. “And that is why we are going to watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
It was Georgie’s favorite play, and Rowen was expecting her to launch into an excited retelling of the plot. Instead, her daughter simply looked out the carriage window and said, “It is not a long play, Alistair. You will have a little time to study when we are back, if you are worried.”
“I suppose that is true.” Alistair chewed on his lip.
“I really think it would be best if you gave yourself a little time to recover, darling.” Rowen took his hand in her own and squeezed it. “If you are worried, I can have a word with your tutors tomorrow and explain that I am to blame for you not studying this evening.”
“No!” Alistair and Georgie shook their heads vehemently.
“That won’t be necessary,” Alistair added.
“I do not mind. It will be no trouble, and I do not wish for you to be told off on my account.” Rowen was taken aback by her children’s reactions.
“It will be fine. And you’re right; it will be nice to do something fun.” Alistair gave her a bright smile.
“And we will sit in the Duke’s private box.” Rowen looked between the twins. “He has booked it for the season, and if you enjoy tonight, perhaps we can come back another time.”
“That might be nice.” Georgie was twirling a strand of her hair. “Do you think they will have things to eat at the theater? Like they did the last time?”
“Most likely.” Rowen tapped the purse in the pocket of her skirts. “And Tobias said you can have anything you want.”
“Did he not want to come?” Alistair asked.
