Chapter 3 #2
“Noted.” She forced her shoulders down. She would not show weakness—no, she could not show weakness, not to this man. “I only hope that Oxford teaches him how to run an estate better than his father.”
“He will have the finest tutors in the country. And before he goes away, he will learn from the best men I can find. I will make sure that he is ready to run an estate, that he knows everything there is to know.” The Duke’s face softened and then hardened again so quickly that Rowen was not sure she had even seen it.
“I have no doubt you have taught him what you can, but there are things you will not know.”
“And I suppose you are the fount of all knowledge?”
“I was raised a gentleman. I know what it is to walk the world as a man. I can teach him how to command the attention of a room using only his bearing. I understand discipline in a way few men do. I know of honor.” The Duke’s green eyes pinned her in place.
“Can you teach the boy to shave? Will you be able to show him how to hunt? Teach him the proper etiquette? How can you warn him of vipers if you are not even in the room? I can teach him things you cannot.”
Rowen gritted her teeth, irritated that he was right. There was too much that she had to guess at, too much that was kept from her.
“Fine, you may have a say in his education.”
“How gracious of you.” The Duke gave her a mocking smile that made her heart skitter in her chest.
She rolled her eyes. “You should know that my daughter will likely want to join in as well. The two of them are joined at the hip and fiercely protective of each other.”
She expected the Duke to dismiss her warning, to say that under no circumstances would her daughter be permitted to join her brother. She braced herself for an argument.
“So long as she can keep up with his schedule, I see no reason she should not learn as much as possible. If she falls behind, however…”
“She will not.” Rowen could not keep the note of pride from her voice. “My children are brilliant—both of them.”
The Duke stroked his chin thoughtfully. “She will not be able to go to Eton with him, nor Oxford.”
“I am aware of that,” Rowen replied coolly. “I simply wanted to make sure you had the full picture. If you are to have a hand in their education, you should expect to see both of them.”
“I look forward to it.” The Duke straightened his coat, the movement tightening his still-wet shirt across his muscular chest once more as he turned to the door.
Which brought him closer to her.
Unbidden, Rowen’s eyes drifted across his chest, taking in the hard lines and sinews. She swallowed as his muscles rippled.
“Enjoying the view?” The Duke’s voice was full of amusement.
Rowen’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of scarlet, and she glared up at him. “Simply wondering if this conversation is moot. After all, if you catch your death of cold, there will be no one to marry.”
“Your concern is touching.” He let out a throaty chuckle, and she swallowed.
“It is self-interest.” She wished her voice did not sound so breathless. “That is all.”
“Of course.” His eyes searched her face, and she felt as though he were drinking her in. “Then we are in agreement—you are to be my wife.”
“Yes.” Rowen nodded.
“I consider the matter settled then.” He inclined his head towards her and stepped past her, moving towards the door.
“And what of my other request?” Rowen asked, her heart hammering in her chest. “I have no intention of being your wife in anything other than name. Do not think you can lure me into anything else.”
“Are you sure that all you want is a marriage on paper?” He turned to her, his intense gaze like a physical touch.
“That is all I am offering.” She held her chin up.
“Bold words, My Lady. But will you stick to them?” He took her hand in his and pressed his lips to her knuckles. “You would not be the first woman to change her mind.”
She tried to ignore the goosebumps spreading across her skin, the scent of cedar and pine mingling with the rich mahogany of the study.
He is playing games with you.
Realization struck her like a thunderbolt. He was toying with her, and damn her, it was working.
Well, two can play that game.
“It is not my mind that would need to change, Your Grace, but my heart.” She gave him a dagger-sweet smile as she pulled her hand from his grasp. “And you need not worry on that account.”
He folded his hands behind his back. “You will call me Tobias.”
“Fine. Tobias.” She swallowed. “You will not charm your way into my bed.”
Or my heart.
Her mouth was dry as she stared up into his green eyes. The Duke—no, Tobias—reached across her, so close she could practically count his eyelashes.
His breath tickled her as he whispered, “But what about mine?”
His chuckle was like dark chocolate, and Rowen felt a vice close around her chest. Her heart beat so loudly that she was sure he could hear it.
She shook her head, trying to clear the fog that was settling over her.
Of course, my brother would entrust my future to a man like him.
“I have been married before, Your G—Tobias. I know what temptation men like you offer, and quite frankly, it is not worth the price.” She glared at him.
In the back of her head, she heard her mother’s voice.
“Spoiled goods seldom hold a man’s interest.”
It was the first time in her life she hoped the woman was right.
Tobias’s lips parted, and her eyes flicked to them before she could stop herself. The corner of his mouth quirked up, and her ears turned red.
“We shall see.”
Without another word, he swept out of the room. The smell of cedar and pine lingered long after the feel of his lips against her hands had faded.