Chapter 5
Five
“You would think that your fiancé would at least hire someone to do the packing for you.” Lady Verity Cresswell, the Dowager Viscountess Nettle, wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. “He is a duke, after all.”
Rowen felt her cheeks redden slightly at her friend’s words.
It was two days after Tobias had asked for her hand in marriage, and she was in her drawing room with two of the other Black Widows—Adele Scott, the Duchess of Scarfield, and Verity.
The final and oldest member of their group, Lady Cora Lovett, had not joined them, saying that manual labor was not fit for elderly hands.
“He did, actually,” Rowen admitted, averting her gaze.
“Then why on earth are we here, sweating like farmers?” Verity exclaimed.
“Because, Verity, if I had accepted, he would have won. It was bad enough that the man basically stormed in here and told me we were getting married, let alone letting him get to play the gallant hero.”
“Oh yes, that would have been the worst thing in the world. It is far better for us to toil away so that you can prove a point.” Verity flopped down on the sofa and began to fan herself.
“You know it is more than that. With a man like that, if you give even an inch, he will take a mile.” Rowen made a disgusted noise as she thought of Tobias’s smug smile.
I expect most women find it handsome, not irritating.
“More to the point, if I accepted his offer, I would have had to see his stupid, smug smile. And he probably would have reorganized everything just to prove a point.”
“Or he would have just paid for you to have help, and we could be enjoying a rather pleasant afternoon tea,” Adele chimed in, her voice soft.
“But at what cost? I am already in enough debt to him; I have no wish to increase it further.” Rowen shook her head.
Adele arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips.“Do you really think he would hold it over you?”
“Yes. No. I do not know. Maybe?” Rowen fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. “But even if he did not, it is too late now. If I go back to him and ask for help, he will be like a cat who got the cream.”
She could picture his smile, practically feel the warmth of his body as he gave her that rakish grin. She ran a finger across her knuckles absentmindedly.
Are you sure?
“I do not want him to think that my mind is so easily changed. And if that means a little more work, then so be it.” She swallowed as the memory of his low, throaty chuckle traveled down her spine like a touch.
“You sound as though you are getting ready to enter a war, not a marriage.” Verity laughed.
Rowen gave her a somber look. “That is what it feels like.”
“Surely he cannot be that bad. Were you not just telling us how he said the children could be the groomsmen if they wished?” Adele pointed out.
“Yes, and while that may seem nice, he does not have to deal with the reality of it. I will be the one who has to ensure that they are prepared, that they are dressed. More to the point, what will people think of Georgia is groomsman? Does he not realize how much scrutiny she will be under?” Rowen could already hear the viciousness of their peers’ voices.
“Perhaps he assumes his title will be enough to protect her? Or that she will simply opt to be your flower girl or one of your bridesmaids,” Verity suggested.
“I have asked her, and thankfully, she agreed. And I will admit that Alistair is thrilled that he gets to be in the wedding, but I do not want them getting too attached to Tob—the Duke. After all, this is only a temporary arrangement.” Rowen gestured around them.
“We will only be with him as long as the repairs are underway. Then, we will come back here.”
She looked around the room, not wanting to admit that a part of her was looking forward to being out of the house that held so many bleak memories for her. Even though the reprieve would only be temporary, it would still be nice.
Nicer if I did not have to stay under the same roof as Tobias.
The image of his teasing smile and sparkling green eyes flooded her mind, and she violently shoved it away.
“This whole thing is just a means to an end. Tob—The Duke has demanded a say in my children’s education, and I will admit that his opinion may be useful.
He does know things I do not. And he has kindly offered us a roof and financial support.
But once he feels his debt to my brother is repaid, that will be the end of things.
” She took a steadying breath. “I have to be able to survive without him, or I will be entirely at his mercy.”
“Or you could view this as an opportunity to have a helping hand. You have already admitted that he has been of some use. A husband is not just for warming one’s bed at night, you know.” Adele gave her a sidelong look that made her blush.
Verity clapped a hand over her mouth, giggling. “Adele!”
Rowen stiffened, trying to look dignified while acutely aware that even the tips of her ears were scarlet. “I have no intention of engaging in such activities, especially not with him. The only thing we will share is breakfast—perhaps dinner on a good day. That’s it.”
Before anyone could say anything else, there was an almighty crash and shouting from the twins’ room. Rowen sprinted out of the room, all thoughts of Tobias forgotten as she hurried to her children.
“Gigi! Alistair!” she called as she barged into their room. “Are you hurt?”
Her children surged towards her in an instant, each babbling over the other.
“Alistair started it. He was—” Georgia began at the same time as Alistair said, “George is lying. She—”
“It’s always been mine—” Georgia was tugging on the sleeve of Rowen’s dress.
The twins continued to chatter, speaking over one another so fast that Rowen could only catch a few words. As they spoke, she scanned them both for signs of injury, but could see nothing.
“And I said no—”
“It’s my favorite one and—”
“Not fair!”
She held up a hand, and the twins fell silent. She rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, exhaling slowly to slow her hammering heart.
“Tell me what happened.” Both children began to speak, and she held up her hand again. “One at a time, please. Gigi, how about you start?”
“Why does she get to start?” Alistair demanded at the same time as Georgia said, “It is a George day.”
“Fine, George. You can start because Alistair got to start last time.” Rowen gestured for her daughter to speak.
Georgia stuck her tongue out at her brother, who returned the gesture.
Rowen let out a sigh, counting slowly to ten in her head and willing herself to remain patient.
“I was packing away my things like you told me to, and I was putting away my book when Alistair came up and snatched it from my hand,” Georgia explained with the air of a person telling another that the sky was blue.
“Because it’s my book!” Alistair exclaimed, scowling. “Aunty Verity gave it to me on my fourth birthday.”
“No, she did not. She gave it to me. Why would she give it to you?” Georgia shot him a withering look that was so much like the one Rowen usually gave to people that she had to hide her mouth behind her hand to keep from laughing.
Thankfully, her children were too engrossed in their argument to notice her slip.
“Because it is for boys!” Alistair retorted.
“I do a lot of things that are for boys,” Georgia replied hotly. “And it’s not for boys; it’s a book!”
“Yes, it is.” Alistair shook his head vehemently.
“What book?” Rowen interjected, looking between them and taking in the smashed china on the floor. “And how did that break?”
“Alistair pushed me, and I fell, and then it fell on the floor, and it broke.” Georgia’s cheeks reddened.
Alistair added, “I only pushed you because you kicked me.”
“Because you wouldn’t give me my book.” There was no hint of apology in Georgia’s voice.
“It’s not your book. It’s mine.” Alistair stamped his foot.
“It does not matter whose book it is; all of our things are going to the same place,” Rowen snapped and then let out a long, frustrated sigh. “More importantly, what have I told you about kicking and pushing each other?”
“But—” the twins began.
“There is no excuse for violence,” Rowen interrupted. “The pair of you are old enough to know better. I expect more of you—both of you.”
“Well, if we are so badly behaved, maybe you should just leave us here.” Georgia tilted her chin up, her eyes wet with unshed tears.
And now the truth comes out.
Rowen felt a lump form in her throat as she saw the hope in her children’s eyes. It mingled with fear and anger and tugged her heart in too many directions.
She forced herself to hold firm. “You know that I would never leave you behind, no matter how badly behaved you are. You are my children, and I love you with my whole heart.”
“Promise?” Alistair swallowed.
Rowen took their hands in her own. “I swear it. I will always love you.”
“Even when we are bad?”
“You are not bad. Your behavior was,” Rowen corrected. “And it is because I love you that we have to leave this place. It is not safe here. That tree caused a lot of damage, and if another storm breaks out, who knows what might happen.”
“But how can I be an earl if I am not at my estate?”
“Your estate is but a part of being an earl.”
“I can teach him things that you cannot.”
Tobias’s words echoed in her mind, and for a moment, she wondered what he would say if he were here.
The thought turned her stomach, and she pushed it away, working to keep her expression warm and pleasant despite the anger that rose within her.
“After all, a duke is still a duke, even when he is away from his duchy. And this will not be forever. We will return, eventually. Besides, you two love London! Think how much fun you will have.”
“We won’t.” Georgia tugged free of Rowen’s arms and stamped her foot. “It’ll be awful. I just know it.”
“An earl’s place is with his people. I should be here.” Alistair straightened, puffing out his chest in a way that only made him look younger.