Page 72 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“Yes, we do,” Rowen murmured, not taking her eyes off her husband.
Tobias felt warmth flood through his chest, and his lips curled into a smile. “Then it is settled. If the weather holds, we shall all go out riding tomorrow. It will give me a good excuse to get out of the house and escape my boring duties.”
“And what if the weather is bad?” Alistair asked. “What will we do then?”
“I am sure we can find a way to entertain ourselves.” Tobias ran a hand through his hair. “We could play charades, or I could teach you some card games.”
“No, he is not going to teach you how to gamble.” Rowen gave Georgie, who had opened her mouth as though to ask a question, a hard look.
Tobias managed to stifle a laugh at the crestfallen but impish expression on her face, turning it into a cough. “I think Bridge is a more suitable game.”
“Maybe we could go to the theater together?” Alistair cocked his head, making his words a question rather than a statement, hisgaze cautiously hopeful. “If that would be all right. I promise I won’t let it distract me too much. I know I still have lessons and lots of schoolwork, and I need to be ready for Eton and?—”
“Alistair, it is all right.” Tobias gave him a reassuring smile. “I can see how hard you have been studying, and I think, in my concern for you, I was a little too ambitious with your schedule. You both need some time to relax; that is just as important as your studies. Besides, the theater is educational. Reading a play is one thing, but watching is quite another.”
“Maybe this time I will not fall asleep.” Alistair smiled shyly.
“If it is very dull, I would not hold it against you. You would hardly be the first nor the last person to do so.” Tobias gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I have slept through my fair share of plays.”
“What about fencing?” Georgie looked between Rowen and Tobias. “Mr. Grey will be angry with us, won’t he?”
Rowen stiffened as she wrapped protective arms around her daughter. “Mr. Grey and his anger are not your concern. If he ever sets foot in this house again, I will set the dogs on him.”
Her eyes were fierce in the firelight, and Tobias felt a surge of pride.
She would tear him to pieces.
That was if he did not beat her to it.
“He won’t be teaching you any longer,” Tobias added. “He will not teach anyone ever again, for that matter. No one should experience what you have. And I am sorry I did not realize it sooner.”
“It’s all right. Alistair wanted to tell someone, but I didn’t let him. I didn’t want my lessons to stop, but… it seems like they are going to stop anyway.” Georgie’s lip trembled.
“Do you want them to continue?” Tobias asked gently.
Georgie nodded. “Yes.”
“But not with Mr. Grey.” Alistair glared at her as though daring her to challenge him.
“Not with him. No.” Tobias leaned forward in his seat. “I am not sure we will find you a tutor—not one that I trust anyway. But how would you feel about being taught by me?”
Georgie’s eyes widened. “Can we use real swords?”
“Absolutely not,” Rowen said at the same time Tobias shook his head and said, “I do not want you getting hurt.”
“But—” Georgie began.
Rowen shook her head. “No. A sword is a weapon, not a toy.”
“Your mother is right,” Tobias interjected. “And all the swords are too big for you anyway.”
“Fine. But maybe one day?” Georgie asked hopefully.
“Let us see how things go first.”
Rowen gave Tobias a look that clearly said she would not be letting any of them play with real swords while she still had breath in her body.
Tobias nodded his agreement to her. He had no wish for anyone to end up hurting themselves by accident. He made a mental note to lock his study when he was not in it, lest the children be tempted.
