Page 29 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“It looks like this house has been burgled,” Rowen replied flatly.
“I hardly think insulting my décor is a cordial thing to do, Rowen.” Tobias ran a hand through his hair.
“Is it a critique if I am simply stating a fact? There is scarcely anything in here. The things you could do with this space if you just—” She broke off and shook her head.
“If I just what?” His voice was soft.
“It does not matter. What do I care if you keep your house like this? This whole arrangement is temporary anyway.” She made a dismissive gesture with her fingers. “Though I have to admit, it is a little odd that one of the only paintings in this place is one of you and my brother.”
“Jenkins was a dear friend of mine.” Tobias gestured to the portrait as he stepped into the room. “We made a wager on some ridiculous thing that I cannot even remember, and he said that if I lost, I would have to sit for a portrait with him and hang it in my house until the day I died.”
“I am surprised he did not have you make a sillier one.”
“Oh, I think he would have liked to, but the artist happened to be a woman, and he wanted to impress her.” Tobias smiled at the picture. “So he was on his very best behavior.”
“It is hard to imagine.” Rowen looked at the portrait of her smiling brother. “When I look at Alistair and Georgia, it makes me sad that I never got to know James. Not as well as they know one another. I was married so young, and although we wrote to each other, there is only so much one can say in a letter.”
Tobias nodded. “There is always the risk that unwelcome eyes might read it.”
“And some of us learned that the hard way.”
Rowen’s jaw clenched as she remembered discovering her late husband’s letters and the proof of his affair. She shook her head, pushing him out of her mind.
“And although James visited when he could and doted on the children, I feel like I only got a very shallow glimpse of him. I did not even know that he had asked someone to look after us. It would never even have occurred to me.”
“He may have been rather unserious about most things, but looking after your family was never far from his mind.” Tobias let out a long sigh and ran a finger along the scar on his neck.
Rowen realized that her fingers had uncurled and that she had taken a step towards him, her eyes fixed on the thin white line. She swallowed and clasped her hands together.
Tobias’s eyes were still fixed on the portrait, distant as though remembering something. Rowen breathed in slowly, counting to ten as she waited for her heart to slow.
“What was he like with you?” she asked.
“Charming, charismatic.” Tobias laughed. “He loved to have a good time, to live life and enjoy it. Though when the two of us were together, trouble often found us. We were constantly saving one another. Once, he fell into a canal while we were out punting, and I had to fish him out. Another, we upset a hive of hornets—I do not think I have ever run that fast in my life.”
“Hornets are no laughing matter.” Rowen shuddered. “Awful creatures.”
“Indeed.” Tobias grimaced. “I do not think I have ever been in so much pain. Though it was worse for Jenkins. A hornet managed to get stuck in his britches. Let us just say that it is lucky your brother did not become a soprano that day.” He laughed, the rich sound filling the room around them. “Though his scream certainly was high enough for one.”
Rowen could not help but giggle, her heart fluttering as she saw him relax into the memory. “You two had some rather exciting adventures.”
“We did,” Tobias agreed, his hand back at the scar on his neck.
Curiosity finally got the better of Rowen. “Were you together when you got that scar?”
Tobias turned to her, his hand falling from his neck, green eyes dancing as he nodded. “Yes, your brother was there the night I got this. He saved my life. Some drunk had been pawing at a maid. He took offense when I intervened and tried to knife me when my back was turned.”
A prickle of irritation crept up Rowen’s back, making her brow crease. “And let me guess, the maid threw herself into your arms in gratitude?”
“If I did not know better, I would say you sound a little jealous.” Tobias’s lips curled into a half-smile.
“Then it is a good thing you know better.” Rowen felt a flush creep up her face.
Tobias shrugged. “I did not intervene to get in her good graces. I cannot stand it when men cling to women like dogs in a ru—like animals.”
“You need not censor yourself on my account, Duke. I know what men can be like.” Her voice hardened, and she swallowed, looking back at her brother’s portrait. “I have experienced it more times than I care to revisit. I suppose it is one of the perks of growing older—there are younger, more alluring things to hold their attention now.”
“I have always thought women are like fine wine. With maturity comes a deeper beauty.”
