Page 99 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“That is not what I am doing.”
“It is. If you do not tell her what you want, how you truly feel about her, then you are robbing her of that choice.”
“If she wanted to stay, she would be here.”
“Did you ask her to stay? After all, by your own logic, if you wanted her to stay, you would have asked.” Martha’s smile was triumphant.
Tobias opened his mouth to argue, to point out the flaw in her logic, but he could not.
She was right. He had not asked Rowen to stay. No, more than that, he had let her leave without so much as a word. He had let her believe that he did not want her, that she was only an obligation.
“I have been a complete and utter fool.” Tobias dropped his head in his hands.
“You have,” Martha agreed. “Now, what are you going to do about it?”
“I am going to bring my wife back home,” Tobias growled, standing up.
“An excellent idea, but I think it would be better if you shaved first. And perhaps wash.” Martha grinned at him. “After all, you only have one opportunity to win back your wife.”
Twenty-Nine
“How would the two of you like to go for a ride later this afternoon?” Rowen asked as she and the twins ate their breakfast.
They were sitting at the dining table in her brother’s country house. James was out sorting paperwork and logistics, and he had told them he would be back late.
Georgie and Alistair looked up at her, then at each other, and shrugged.
Dinners at Ewelme House were quiet, subdued. The children ate methodically, and they would chatter on occasion, but it felt more like they were going through the motions.
It made her think of the lively dinners at Kidlington House, of the way Tobias would roar with laughter, which would set everyone else off.
Stop thinking about it. That is over. He did not want you; it’s time to move on and live your life.
“Well?” Rowen gave an encouraging smile. “James has a few ponies you could borrow.”
“Maybe another day.” Alistair moved a pea around his plate with his fork. “I am a bit tired today.”
“Oh. Well, we could always play a game, or maybe have some hot chocolate after dinner.” Rowen looked between the twins. “It could be fun.”
Georgie shook her head. “I have schoolwork to do. I do not want to fall behind in my lessons.”
“But you hate schoolwork.” Rowen frowned.
“It’s important.” Georgie shrugged and pushed back from the table. “Might I be excused?”
Rowen looked at her daughter’s plate and nodded.At least she is eating.“Of course.”
“I would like to be excused as well.” Alistair gestured to his nearly empty plate, darting off as soon as Rowen dismissed him.
She stared after the children for a moment, before looking at her own plate and sighing. She was used to finishing her mealsalone. Or at least, she had been used to such things before they moved into Kidlington House.
She stood up and motioned for the footmen to clear away the dishes. They sprang into action, and she made her way down the corridor.
Ewelme House was small, much smaller than Irving Manor and smaller even than Kidlington House. Yet, despite its size, it did not feel cosy.
She wandered around the house, trying to think of something to do. There was nothing to embroider, no accounts to balance, and no biscuits worth stealing.
She rested a hand on her chest and closed her eyes. “I have to be strong. I have to seem like I am all right. I cannot fall to pieces. I cannot.”
