Page 59 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“There is no one else around.” Tobias gestured around them. “Unless you have hidden a secret lover in the pantry?”
She thought she heard an edge in his voice, but she was sure she was mistaken.
I am so tired; that is all.
Her mind flashed back to the twins, and her heart sank.
“And share these biscuits with another soul?” Rowen gestured to the tin in her hand, a smile creeping onto her face.
“Should I assume that you have no intention of sharing them with me?” Tobias grinned and took a step closer.
“No.” Rowen smiled back.
“Ah, well, that will not do. We are man and wife, and what’s yours is mine.” Tobias darted forward and grabbed a biscuit, popping it in his mouth as Rowen let out an indignant squawk.
“That is hardly fair, my hands are full—I cannot even fend you off,” Rowen huffed. “I thought you were a gentleman.”
“After sunrise, yes. Before?” He gave her a wolfish grin and grabbed another biscuit. “No.”
“Stop that. You will eat them all, and I will get none. And I was the one who fetched them in the first place,” Rowen protested.
“True enough. How about this? I will trade you a measure of scotch if you share the biscuits with me.” Tobias leaned towards her.
“And just where do you plan on getting scotch?” she challenged.
“I have my ways.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“You ask me to share scotch and a snack with you in the same moment you profess not to be a gentleman. Do you take me for a fool?” Rowen’s eyes glittered in the candlelight, even as she fought back a small smile.
Two can play this game.
Tobias ran a hand through his hair.“Not a fool, but rather a shrewd negotiator. And you did say you enjoyed a good scotch.”
Rowen saw him reach for another biscuit and danced out of his way.
Tobias sighed. “It seems neither of us can sleep, and as I have no intention of letting you eat all of the biscuits, this seems like the most amicable solution.”
Rowen hesitated. A part of her knew she should simply give him the biscuits and leave, but she found she could not bring herself to.
She chewed on her bottom lip. “Fine, but if it is not good scotch, the biscuits are mine.”
Tobias swept into a low bow. “Only the best for my Duchess.”
Rowen rolled her eyes and watched as he disappeared into the pantry. She listened to the sounds of him rummaging around, and a moment later, he re-emerged with two glasses and a bottle of scotch.
He poured them each a healthy measure and slid a glass towards her.
As soon as Rowen had seen the bottle, she had known it was good scotch, and when the amber liquid touched her lips, she could not help but let out a happy sigh.
“Does it live up to your expectations?” Tobias asked as he settled on the stool beside her.
“It is divine.” Rowen closed her eyes, breathing in the heavenly smell, and licked her lips.
The hairs on her body stood up as though she were being watched, but when she opened her eyes, Tobias was staring into his own glass, his fingers gently drumming on the table.
He sipped his drink and asked, “Did you enjoy the play this evening?”
Rowen forced herself not to stiffen at his question. “It was good.”
