Page 5 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
I cannot let James down.
As amusing as his interaction with the woman had been, he was not about to get distracted by her pretty face. His military training had kicked in, and he had scarcely taken her in as his mind focused on the more urgent matter: ensuring that his dear friend’s family was safe.
His voice was dispassionate as he called over his shoulder, the coldness that he was used to feeling replacing his worry, “I toldyou, I am making sure no one was hurt. A tree was brought down by the storm—a sizeable one at that.”
“I had noticed. And to answer your question, everyone is fine—well, the governess has a few bruises, but that’s about it. Is there a reason you decided to barge into my home and look for injuries rather than simply asking if anyone was hurt?”
Tobias did not miss the irritation in her tone.
“Lady Rowen?” He turned around so suddenly that she collided with him.
The smell of violets washed over him, and he steadied her as she stumbled. Her skin was soft beneath his hands, and her grey eyes flicked up to him, her lips parted.
He dropped his hands as though he had been burned, taking a step back and flexing his fingers.
Spots of color appeared on her pale cheeks, and she tucked a lock of dark brown hair behind her delicate ear. She had high cheekbones and piercing grey eyes. Her mouth was a thin line that held the promise of danger. Although her plain brown dress had clearly seen better days.
He had not seen the widow since the incident with his cousin the Duke of Scarfield and his now wife, Duchess Adele, which had been nearly two years ago. When he had last seen her, she had been the picture of poise and grace.
“I did not recognize you.” Tobias mentally kicked himself.
“That much was obvious, Your Grace, or I doubt you would have asked me to fetch my mistress.” Her lips thinned even further, grey eyes flashing with anger as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Tobias kept his expression neutral even as he felt a faint flush spread across his cheeks. Of course, she knew who he was.
Eric would never have made a mistake like this.He had a gift for social graces and such.
He forced the memory away. Now was not the time.
“I had not expected you to be dressed so modestly.” Tobias realized that he had moved to stand to attention, as a soldier before a general, and forced himself to relax his posture.
“Well, forgive me for not putting on my finest ballgown. If only I had known to expect company.” Sarcasm dripped from every word, anger and something that Tobias could not quite place flashing across her face.
“Perhaps you should hire a more attentive butler; then you would not be caught off guard.” He gave her a sharp smile.
“I expect he was occupied with securing the eastern wing.” She stepped towards him and gestured to the corridor behind him. “And now that we have that out of the way, I am afraid I mustask you to leave. It has been a rather taxing day, and I am in no mood for entertaining.”
“Then it is a good thing that I am not here to be entertained.”
The weight of the oiled leather pouch in his pocket seemed to double, and he rested a hand on top of it.
“Whatever the reason for your visit, I am sure it can wait.” She made a dismissive gesture as she made to stride past him towards an open oak door.
“It cannot. It is about your brother.” He curled his fingers into a fist to keep himself from reaching for her.
He saw every muscle in her body stiffen as she turned towards him. Her mouth was slightly open, her grey eyes wide and searching.
The sight stirred something within him. It nudged the cold numbness in his chest.
Lady Rowen gestured for him to follow her into the study, before closing the door behind them. “What happened?”
“I wish I did not have to be the one to tell you this. You deserve to hear the words from a more gentle soul than me.” The words left his mouth before he could stop them, an earnestness that caught him by surprise. “Your brother’s ship went down somewhere off the coast of Cornwall.”
“Then he is missing.” Lady Rowen’s eyes softened, and Tobias could see the hope in them. “There is a chance he survived.”
For a moment, he almost considered lying to her. The thought caused him to frown.
He shook his head and met her eyes. “There is a chance, yes. But I know those waters, My Lady, and they are treacherous. I fear… I do not think it is likely that he will return to us. Though I have used what connections I have to mount a search, the seas are not kind. Not in that part of the country. And it seems I am not the only one who is less than optimistic about your brother’s demise.”
