Page 12 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“And if she were open to something more? I know what you are like around pretty women.” Warner gave him a pointed look.
“What Iwaslike. And you also know that my reputation is rather overblown.” Tobias clasped his hands behind his back. “Besides, she is James’s sister. If I did anything to dishonor her, his ghost would surely haunt me for the rest of my life.”
“If his ghost did not, Adele certainly would. The widows are all very protective of each other.” Warner let out an amused laugh. “When they thought I had hurt Adele, they barged into my house and—well, let us just say that there will be hell to pay if you hurt your wife.”
“I will bear that in mind, though I doubt it will be a problem.” Tobias thought of Rowen’s grey eyes.
Warner scoffed. “See that it won’t be. I suspect, if you upset Lady Rowen, my wife will be calling for your hide.”
“And no doubt you will deliver it to her,” Tobias drawled.
“You know what they say, Cousin. Happy wife, happy life.” Warner grinned. “And in my experience, it is true.”
“You do seem in good spirits. I do not think I have seen you so happy in a long time.” Though his voice was not warm, Tobias was grateful that he had at least managed to sound sincere if somewhat unemotional.
“That is because I do not think I have ever been this happy. Even if the twins have started walking—well, running really. You know, the other day I had to get David down from the top of the doorframe, and while I was doing that, Fliss decided to climb the bookshelf.” Warner shook his head and let out a half-exasperated, half-amused sigh.
Tobias’s lips quirked into a smile, and he felt a surge of warmth as he thought of his cousin’s children, David and Felicity. “It is a good thing you have two hands. If they are anything like we were, they will keep you on your toes.”
“Your godchildren are little rascals when the mood strikes. Adele insists that they get it from me, but I have assured her that I was a model child.” Warner chuckled and gave him an innocent look.
“Isn’t it bad to lie to one’s wife?” Tobias crossed his arms over his chest.
“I am not lying.” Warner gave him a mock indignant look, before a grin spread across his face once more.
Tobias rolled his eyes. “We practically grew up together, and I know for a fact that you regularly got me into a lot of trouble.”
“You act as though I was the instigator, when more often than not, it was you,” Warner retorted.
“I think you will find that it was an even split between us.” Tobias nearly smiled, and his heart clenched as a heaviness settled over him, the coldness snapping into place like a rubber band. “Or at least that is what Eric would have said.”
He looked back in the direction he had come. From this height, he could see his brother’s resting place and the fresh flowers he had placed there. They had not been the only wreath laid on the headstone. His chest tightened, and he looked away.
He should be here.
“I expect he would have. He was always getting us out of trouble.” Warner’s voice was soft, and Tobias could hear the pain in it.
“He was.”
And now he is gone.
The thought reverberated around his chest like a stone dropped into an empty well. “He was a good man.”
“You are not too bad yourself, Cousin.” Warner placed a hand on his shoulder.
Tobias shrugged him off and moved away from him. “I am not him.”
I will never be him.
Eric had been the firstborn, trained to inherit from practically the day he was born. Tobias dug his nails into his palms.
All I can do is try to honor your memory.
“He would not want you to be.” Warner moved to be closer to him, but made no effort to touch him again. “Besides, you are doing a rather noble thing, marrying a friend’s sister to save her from ruin.”
Tobias barked out a laugh. “Do not make this into more than it is. I am doing what was asked. That hardly needs a celebration.”
“If you say so.” Warner clasped his hands behind his back. “Though surely you will not entirely forego a celebration. A nice wedding ball is just the thing to lift one’s spirits.”
