Chapter 11 #2
“It can be both. Clearly, you do not care for comfort, but you do care about your business and the estate. I am simply giving us both a way to get what we want.” She watched her words sink in and felt a burst of triumph.
Tobias’s mouth opened and closed as he began to pace. “I do not want to live in pointless decadence.”
“Then it is a good thing that I do not plan on decorating in such a way. After all, I believe it was you who said I had exceptional taste.” She grinned at him, trying to ignore the warmth in her cheeks.
He stopped pacing and faced her. “You know, there are easier ways to prove me wrong.”
“And if proving you wrong was the aim, then that might be relevant.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and gave him the most innocent smile she could muster. “Although, I suppose if you are terribly concerned, you could always join me. Unless you do not think you will be able to keep up.”
“I assure you, Duchess, I always keep up.” He took a step towards her, the corner of his mouth quirking up.
“We shall see, Duke. We shall see.” Rowen stepped away from him, feeling oddly lightheaded. “I plan on going furniture shopping first, and then on to one of the galleries.”
“I shall have the carriage readied in an hour.” Tobias tugged on a nearby bell pull.
“Perfect, I will see you in an hour.” Rowen clapped her hands together and swept out of the room.
As she left, she could have sworn she heard him muttering under his breath. Something that sounded suspiciously like, What have I gotten myself into?
A few hours later, they were standing in one of the most reputable furniture shops in London.
As Rowen crossed the threshold, she realized that her shoulders were practically by her ears and forced them down. The last time she had been in a furniture shop had been to value what remained in her own home.
“Is something the matter?” There was no mirth in Tobias’s voice, and she felt him move closer to her.
Rowen swallowed and shook her head. “No, I am fine. I just needed a moment to adjust. It is warmer in here than I anticipated.”
It was not a complete lie. The shop was significantly warmer than the chilly streets outside. Tobias had shrugged off his coat and was hanging it on the nearby coatrack. He held out a hand expectantly and swept into a half-bow.
“May I help you out of your coat?” He gave her a mischievous grin.
“No, but you may hold it for me,” she replied in a honeyed tone as she slipped out of the garment and handed it to him.
A flicker of amusement crossed his face as he hung it on the stand, and she turned away from him.
“I think we should start with the furniture for the drawing room.”
“Not the bedroom?” he teased.
“The bedrooms seem to be the only places you have kept properly furnished, thankfully.” She felt a blush creep up her cheek and ignored it. “The drawing room, on the other hand, is practically empty.”
Her eyes fell on a pretty sofa made of mahogany, with thick green velvet upholstery. It was stunning, the kind of thing she had dreamed of owning. She could just picture it in the drawing room, light hitting it, and her friends sitting on it and laughing.
And there will be matching armchairs, and a chaise as well.
She moved towards it, but then her eyes fell on the price tag. Her stomach dropped.
That costs more than all the furniture in my house.
She looked at a plainer sofa, with decent cushions and no woodwork. Even that was more expensive than she had expected, but it was better than the other one.
“You are not serious,” Tobias scoffed.
“Perfectly serious. What is wrong with it?” Rowen tilted her chin up.
“Nothing, if you are happy to be mistaken for someone’s maiden aunt.” Tobias pointed at the plush, beige fabric and shook his head. “It looks like something my great-grandmother would have owned. It is like something out of the last century.”
“Then she clearly had excellent taste. Besides, it is comfortable and has a good price.” Rowen crossed her arms over her chest. “And you said that you did not want unnecessary frills.”
“I do not. But as you seem determined to force furniture upon me, it may as well look decent.”
Tobias gestured towards another sofa that was well-cushioned and made of dark wood. There were heavy carvings in the woodwork and a lot of ornamentation.
Rowen tried to suppress the panic rising in her chest at the thought of just how much such a piece would cost.
She pursed her lips. “It is twice the price and looks about half as sturdy.”
“And why do we need a sturdy sofa, Duchess?” Tobias drawled, looking her up and down. “What are you planning to do on it?”
To her immense relief, she managed not to blush, instead rolling her eyes as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “It is not what I plan on doing on it, but the fact that I have two rather rambunctious children. Trust me, we will want something that can withstand their tomfoolery.”
“Fine, but not that one.” Tobias grimaced at the beige sofa.
Rowen was not about to admit that she was a little relieved that he hated it. She had not relished the thought of buying something so plain and dowdy.
She gestured to another sofa, doing her best to avoid looking at the first one she had seen. “Very well, what about this? It is made of cherry, which is nice and strong, but also beautiful. And the cushions are nice and plush. The carvings are simple, which is no bad thing.”
Tobias looked at it, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “That is an improvement, though a little plain, considering you do not want to live in a house that feels soulless. And that sofa has about as much life in it as Aunt Gertrude, and she died five years ago.”
Rowen could not keep the smile off her face and hastily turned away, hoping that he would not see it. When she turned back, Tobias was looking at her with eyes that made her feel like an open book.
“If I did not know any better, Duchess, I would say you are only looking at the cheapest pieces.” He took a step towards her. “And that simply will not do. You will pick the furniture you like, and not think about the price.”
“And I am to believe that you will simply let me choose anything my heart desires?” Her heart fluttered at his proximity.
“No. But it will not be the price that guides your choice, but the style.” He gestured around the shop. “Now, choose something that you actually want, and we shall see what your taste is really like.”
Rowen nodded, wondering what game he was playing.
She moved to the beautiful sofa, the one that cost more than she had ever spent on anything in her life, and sat on it. It was more comfortable than she had imagined, and she could not help but lean back.
“This is the one that I want.” She closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of the fabric against her skin. “It is beautiful and comfortable, and will look perfect in the drawing room.”
“Then that is the one we will buy. As long as it passes my test.” There was amusement in his voice.
Before Rowen could ask what test he meant, she felt the cushions dip as he sat down beside her.
Her eyes flew open, and she turned to find him looking at her, one arm draped over the back of the sofa. There was a dark, hungry look in her eyes that made her mouth go dry.
“What do you think?” She was relieved that her voice did not waver.
“I think it looks and feels most pleasing, though only time will tell if it is up to heavy use.” He leaned towards her, and she swallowed but did not move away.
“Then I suppose I will have to invite plenty of friends to stay,” she breathed, fluttering her eyelashes, before slipping off the sofa and away from him.
The scent of cedar and pine followed her, mingling with the heady scent of wood polish. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and her head felt clearer now that she was away from him.
He looked at her, still sprawled across the sofa, looking as though he owned everything in the shop. The green of the cushions brought out the green of his eyes.
“It suits you,” she said without thinking. “Perhaps we should get a matching armchair for your study.”
“I do not recall agreeing to let you furnish my study.” He sat up.
“You don’t? You were the one who said I should choose what my heart desires, and it desires to furnish the whole house.” She gave him an impish grin, enjoying the way his jaw dropped as she did.