Page 77 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
She met his gaze and smiled. “You were looking for me?”
He swallowed and licked his lips. “Yes.”
“Well, you have found me.” She moved towards him, but paused just out of arm’s reach.
Tobias shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thick molasses that had apparently settled there when he had seen her. The movement made the heavy package in his pocket brush against him, and he used it to anchor himself.
“I wanted to show you something.” He gestured back in the direction he had come. “It will not take long.”
“Very well.” Rowen held out a hand to him, and he took it. “Lead the way.”
The softness of her fingers against his skin sent a warmth through him that relaxed shoulders he had not even realizedwere tense. It quelled some of the nervous energy thrumming through him.
They walked down the corridor together, the silence only adding to his nerves. “Where did you come from?”
“I wanted to check the horses for tomorrow, and to have the gardener check on the ice over the lake. Georgie and Alistair are desperate to play on it, but I am not convinced it will be thick enough to hold them. Not yet.” Rowen shook her head. “And on my way back, I noticed that the maze needed some tending to, and then one thing led to another—you know how it is.”
“I do.” Tobias gave her a sidelong look. “With all the work you have been doing, it is a shame that very few people get to see the fruit of it.”
Rowen shrugged. “I suppose.”
“Though I suppose for that to happen, you would need a place to plan such things.” They had reached the door to her study. “Like a study.”
Rowen’s eyes flicked from him to the door. “You know I have not had a chance to decorate it yet. If you are going to show me what a mess the thing is, I?—”
“That is not what I want to show you. At least, it is not all of it.” Tobias’s heart sped up. “I suspect that your study will always belast on your list, but I think it is important that you have a place that is entirely your own.”
He opened the door and ushered her inside, closing the door behind them.
Rowen walked in, her eyes widening as she looked around. The room had a wall lined with bookshelves, a beautiful oak desk, and several comfortable chairs. A freshly cleaned fireplace with a roaring fire filled the room with light.
Tobias clasped his hands behind his back as he watched her expression.
She gasped when she saw her children’s portrait on the wall. “When did you manage to do that?”
“It was difficult, but when I told them it was for you, they were more amenable.” He grinned. “And I may have promised them a lot of cake for their cooperation. The artist is a friend, and she is very good with children, which helped.”
“It is beautiful,” Rowen breathed.
“I have not done too much. I wanted you to be able to make it your own space, but it felt important to get you started.” He moved to a globe in the corner and pressed a catch. It opened, revealing a bottle of scotch and several glasses.
Rowen laughed. “Clearly, you prioritized the essentials.”
“Of course.” He closed the globe and looked at her. “If any of the décor is not to your liking, you are more than welcome to change it. I have no doubt you will put your own stamp on it in no time, but at least you will have something to start with.”
“It is a very strong start, indeed.” Rowen’s smile was genuine, and it made his heart swell. “You did not have to do this, Tobias.”
“I wanted to. You are my Duchess, and you should have a place that is all your own. I think of it as your sanctum. Somewhere for you to plan events or charitable endeavors. Or business ventures—anything that takes your fancy.”
“Anything?” Rowen gave him a mischievous grin. “Careful, husband. That could be dangerous.”
“I am no stranger to danger.” He winked at her and was rewarded with her tinkling laugh. “Do you like it then? The room, I mean.”
“I love it. When you said you had something to show me, I could not have imagined that this was it.” Rowen beamed. “It is lovely.”
“That is not what I wanted to show you.” Tobias’s heart sped up as he moved to the bookshelves, stopping with his hand over a book titledTreatise on the Law of Partitions.
Rowen wrinkled her nose. “If you wanted to show me that, I must say that I far prefer the room. That is quite possibly the least interesting thing in the house.”
