Page 85 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“How long would you go for?” His chest tightened, and he felt the urge to pull her close.
What is wrong with me?
“Only a couple of weeks. I would not want us to be away from the estate for too long.” Rowen made a dismissive gesture with her hand.
“If you wish to stay longer, I am sure we could manage. And leaving in the summer will give me ample time to hire guards to accompany you. I would not want anything to happen to you.”
“I suppose having an escort is sensible, though it means the journey will be longer. Still, a traveling duke and duchess will no doubt be a target, even if we use one of the nondescript carriages.”
Tobias’s eyes widened, and his jaw dropped.
Rowen clearly noticed his expression, for her cheeks flushed scarlet. “I did not mean to assume. I mean, if you are busy, I will understand, and I know it is a long journey?—”
“I would love to accompany you,” Tobias cut her off, closing the distance between them. “If you want me there, of course.”
“I do.” Rowen swallowed.
A knock sounded at the door, and Tobias frowned, calling, “Enter.”
The door opened, revealing Alistair standing there with several sheets of paper in his hands. His hair was disheveled, and his cheeks were slightly flushed.
“I was wondering if you could help me with my homework?” He held the papers up. “I have tried and tried, but I can’t make sense of any of it.”
Tobias was aware of Rowen’s gaze on him as he nodded and beckoned the boy inside. “I can certainly try.”
“Thank you!” Alistair waved briefly at his mother as he walked past her, then laid out the papers on the desk. “It is this one here, you see.” He pointed to one of the sums on the page.
Tobias nodded. “I think I see the problem. It is an easy enough mistake to make.”
He took a quill and dipped it in ink, pulling a scrap of paper towards him as he wrote down the solution to the problem.
“You forgot to carry the one, that is all. You see?”
Alistair slapped a hand to his forehead. “I should have remembered. Can you help me with this one as well?”
Tobias nodded and squinted at the paper, trying to puzzle out the numbers. He rubbed his forehead, trying to find the mistake. At that moment, Georgie appeared and skipped into the room.
“Can we have a fencing lesson?” She jumped onto the desk and started swinging her legs.
“Perhaps once I have helped Alistair with his homework.” Tobias gestured to the papers he had hastily swept out of her way.
“Maybe I can help?” Georgie offered, leaning over the pages. “I’m quite good at maths.”
“I don’t want your help, Georgie.” Alistair moved to stand closer to Tobias. “You can just wait until we’re done.”
Georgie threw her hands up in the air. “But that could take ages!”
“Then you will just have to wait.” Alistair shrugged, and Tobias half expected him to stick his tongue out.
“Why don’t you let Mother help you? Then we can—” Georgie was tugging on Tobias’s sleeve, and was interrupted by Alistair saying, “I don’t want Mother to help me.”
Tobias heard a small noise escape Rowen. “Your mother is perfectly capable, Alistair.”
Alistair looked from him to Rowen. “I know that, but I wantyourhelp.”
Tobias’s heart sped up, but before he could say anything, Alistair continued, “Maybe Mother can spend some time with Georgie, and I can spend some time with you?”
“But Mother cannot fence!” Georgie exclaimed.
