Page 96 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
Something flickered across Tobias’s face, but it vanished too quickly for her to place. “I do not.”
“Really? Because that is what it seems like to me.”
“Your brother is alive. He wishes to resume his duties and look after you. We can go back to our separate lives.”
“And put this all behind us? Forget that any of this ever happened?”
“If that is what you want.” Tobias glanced towards the clock.
“And what about tonight? What happened before my brother arrived?” Her face flushed at the memory.
“It was a mistake.” His words struck her heart like a dagger. “A moment of passion; that’s all.”
“You got carried away.” She had meant it to sound like a question, but she could not quite manage it. “That is all that was?”
“What else could it be?” He turned to stare into the fire, sipping his whiskey once more.
“I do not know.” Rowen bit her lip.
It was more than passion for me.
But she would not embarrass herself by saying that, not when he so clearly did not feel the same way. She had been a fool. She had told him she wanted a husband, that she wanted him, and he was standing, staring into the fire, telling her that all it had been was passion.
“Men lose interest. They always lose interest.”
Her mother was right. Why had she let herself think it could ever be any different?
“If that is how you feel…” She dug her nails into her palms. “Well, that certainly makes things clearer.” She rolled her shoulders back and hardened her heart. “When the children wake, I will tell them that we will be moving in with their uncle and that he is alive. I expect James will be happy to send a carriage for us, and we will not need to bring many things with us to Ewelme.”
Tobias turned towards her. “I can have a carriage readied for you.”
“I think it’s best if I use one of James’s carriages.”
I do not want anything more from you.
She did not want anything from him.
“I would not wish to take advantage of your generosity any further.”
“You are my wife.” He took a step towards her, his eyes darkening.
Make me your wife.
Those words echoed in her head, and her cheeks flushed scarlet.
“For now.” She turned away from him, her heart shattering into a million pieces. “I should start packing. I would not want to overstay my welcome.”
“Rowen.” Tobias’s voice stopped her as she reached the door.
She turned to face him, hope sparking to life even as she tried to force it away.
“Yes?” she prompted.
Please, ask me to stay. I want to stay.
Tobias opened and closed his mouth, then shook his head. “Let me know what furniture you want, and I will see that it is sent toyou.” He turned away from her. “I will not need all of it once you are gone.”
“I will send you a list.”
