Page 78 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“Looks can be deceiving.” He tugged on the book, and the shelf swung inward, revealing a hidden room behind it.
Rowen’s eyes widened as she stepped through. “I had no idea this was here!”
“Few people know about this room.” Tobias followed her inside, leaving the door ajar to allow light into the room while he lit the candles.
It was not a large room; there was barely enough room for the two of them to stand. But that did not matter.
As soon as light filled the room, Rowen gasped. Tobias smiled and gestured around them, taking in her wide eyes as she gaped at the treasures the room held.
The walls were lined with glass cases that held several collections of jewels and jewellery. In the center were three cases that held jewellery that had been handed from duchess to duchess.
“All of this is yours.” He gestured around them. “Do with it what you will.”
Rowen’s eyes widened even further, and she shook her head, blinking slowly. “Tobias, this… You… I… This is too much.”
“It is not. These are my family’s, and I want you to have them.” He took her hand in his and brushed his fingers against her cheek, turning her to face him. “I want you to know that this will always be yours, no matter what happens in the future. You will always be able to rely on me, but you will also have the means to support yourself.”
I want you to know that you are free.
He could not quite get the words out, but as her eyes flickered to his own, he saw her nod and knew she understood.
“Thank you.”
A weight that he had not realized he had been carrying lifted from his shoulders. He swallowed and gestured around them. “I would be honored if you would wear something from the collection tomorrow. To show the ton that we are united.”
“I would love to.” Her eyes drifted around the room.
The words were like an invisible hand around his heart, and it was all Tobias could do not to keep speaking. “I also suspect that not everything here will be to your taste. Some of it is a little dated, and that is why I had this made for you.”
He pulled the package out of his pocket and handed it to her. Rowen took it from him, her brow furrowed as she opened the box. Inside was a finely wrought gold necklace.
“The gold comes from a necklace made for my grandmother, those jewels were bought by my grandfather, and this one here”—he pointed to an emerald—“was bought by my mother on one of her trips abroad. She would have liked you, and I think she would be glad for you to have it.”
Tobias studied the look on Rowen’s face as she turned the necklace over in her hands, her mouth hanging open.
“The flowers are violets, like your perfume. The gems will catch the candlelight beautifully in a ballroom, but they will not be so ostentatious in daylight,” Tobias explained. “It is light enough that you can wear it without discomfort, and here in the center, the jewel rests over a locket.”
He watched as her fingers traced the delicate goldsmithing.
“The locket can be removed from the rest of the piece. It is a very clever bit of workmanship, but it means you can wear it on a simple chain or a choker if you wish.”
Rowen opened the locket and brought it closer to read the inscription inside. “May what you love always be close.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed.
“The locket is fashioned after one my mother had. She kept locks of Eric’s and my hair in it, and my father’s as well. Hers had the same inscription—she said that it meant that no matter where she was, her greatest loves would always be with her.” Tobias’s eyes searched her face. “It would be an honor if you would wear it tomorrow.”
Silence stretched between them as she ran her delicate fingers over the locket.
“How could I wear anything else?” she croaked. “This is… You really do think of everything. Just when I think you cannot surprise me anymore, you do it again.”
“I did say I wanted to spoil you.” He shrugged.
“This is beyond that, Tobias.” Rowen looked up at him, her eyes serious. “Just giving me this jewellery would have been more than enough, but this? You had it made, and it is… I do not think I have ever been gifted something that felt so like me. I love it.”
I would gift you a thousand more like that, just to see you smile.
Tobias swallowed the words, not wanting to say too much. “I am glad. There is one other thing, though.” He cleared his throat.
“What?” Rowen prompted.
