Chapter 15
Fifteen
“Icannot believe it is finally finished.” Rowen let out a sigh as she leaned back in her new armchair and sipped her tea.
After a fortnight of receiving delivery men, painters, and decorators, the renovations were finally over. Rowen ran her eyes over the fresh wallpaper, the comfortable furniture, the thick rugs, and the vibrant curtains.
To celebrate, she had invited Verity on a tour of the house. She would have asked Adele and Cora, but both women had left for the country for a week.
“It is hard to believe this is the same house Adele used to call home.” Verity smiled at Rowen and gestured around the room. “I imagine your husband had more than a few thoughts about the changes.”
Rowen frowned. Though their truce remained intact, she had not seen much of Tobias following his disastrous lesson with Alistair.
Yet something about Verity’s tone made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and she bristled.
“Tob—The Duke is not an unreasonable man. He may have needed a little convincing, but that is all.” She tried to keep her tone light.
Verity arched an eyebrow at her. “And by convincing, you mean…?”
“Exactly that.” Rowen helped herself to a biscuit. “All I did was explain the benefits of having furniture in the house, and Tob—the Duke saw sense.”
“Of course.” Verity’s voice was polite, but Rowen knew her friend well enough to hear the disbelief in it.
“Truly, Verity, it was not difficult. The place was practically barren when we moved in.” Rowen shook her head. “The man did not even have a tea set!”
“Then this Wedgwood is new?” Verity’s eyes widened as she looked at the beautiful Jasperware cup.
“Yes, and we even have a second one.” Rowen could not help but enjoy the appreciation on her friend’s face.
“I bet his face was a picture when you told him you wanted a second set.” Verity shook her head in disbelief.
Again, Rowen felt a prickle of unease at Verity’s words. “Actually, he was the one who suggested we get a second set. Though he insisted it be Queen’s Ware. Apparently, he prefers the feel of that china.”
“Your husband clearly has better taste than I gave him credit for.” Verity gave the china an admiring look.
“I was surprised as well, but he picked out some rather lovely pieces when we went shopping together,” Rowen admitted.
“The two of you went shopping together? And London still stands?” Verity teased, avoiding the biscuit that Rowen threw at her.
“You make it sound like we are cats and dogs,” Rowen scoffed.
“Can you blame me? The last time I saw you, all you did was complain about the man, and now the two of you have gone furniture shopping?” Verity eyed her narrowly.
“Things have changed since then. He has actually been very helpful.”
Rowen could hear Tobias’s voice in her head. “You will pick the furniture you like.”
“He was the one who encouraged me to look beyond the price and simply choose things to my taste.”
“Because you have exceptional taste.” Tobias’s voice made her whip around so fast that she nearly spilled her tea. “Please, do not stand on my account.”
Rowen saw him wave a dismissive hand. He was wearing an elegant blue frock coat, his hair had flecks of snow in it, and from the flush on his cheeks, it was clear he had just come in from outside.
Her heart skittered as his green eyes found hers, twinkling mischievously as he inclined his head towards her. Her cheeks reddened.
“I was just telling Verity how helpful you were when we were purchasing things for the house.” Rowen gestured to Verity.
“I merely supplied the purse.” Tobias shrugged, his eyes flitting to Verity briefly. “It was your keen eye that made this place what it is.”
“So you think my taste is beyond reproach?” Rowen arched an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms over her chest.
“For the most part, once you stopped pretending to be a maiden aunt.” He grinned at her. “And when you are not trying to wind me up with your choices.”
“If you are referring to that painting of dogs, I think it is rather fetching.” She gave him an innocent look. “Besides, I have seen you smile at it more than once since it was hung in your study.”
“Because it reminds me of you, and who could think of you and not smile?” Tobias drawled, his green eyes dancing.
Warmth spread across Rowen’s cheeks, and she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear even as she rolled her eyes. “And you expect me to believe that you think of me and do not sigh with exasperation?”
“Is that what you want me to do?” He cocked his head. “You wish for me to only be vexed by your existence?”
“Perhaps I do not wish for you to think of me at all,” Rowen retorted as her stood up.
“Then you should stop being so distracting.” Tobias moved towards her.
She took a step closer to him in answer. “I think you are confusing me with yourself, Tobias.”
“So you find me distracting?” He chuckled.
Rowen mentally kicked herself, but she was determined not to let him have the upper hand. She flashed him a smile and placed a hand on his chest. His eyes widened.
“Who would not find you distracting, Tobias, when you bound into a room full of compliments?”
She saw him swallow and felt triumph spread through her chest. “Only a fool would find me distracting when you are in the room, Rowen.”
His eyes roamed over her, and she felt it like a physical touch.
She shifted her weight unconsciously. “Then it would seem you are a fool.”
“Only when it comes to you.” His voice was soft, completely at odds with the fire in his eyes.
Her mouth went dry as she looked into his irritatingly handsome face. All the thoughts in her head tangled into a jumble of incoherent noise.
Say something.
“Will you be joining us for tea, Your Grace?” Verity’s voice shattered the moment.
Rowen and Tobias started. She practically leapt back, her face a red so deep she was sure it was visible from the next room. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Verity’s overly innocent look as her friend moved to stand beside them.
To her amusement, Tobias’s cheeks were slightly pink as he cleared his throat and gestured to the door. “I have no wish to intrude more than I already have, Lady Verity. I shall leave you to lavish my wife with the praise she so deserves. Perhaps she will heed it.”
“I shall do my best, though she is rather stubborn when it comes to such things.” Verity moved before he could step on her foot.
“So I have found.” Tobias smiled and swept into a low bow. “Good day.”
He left the room and shut the door behind him.
Rowen could feel Verity’s eyes boring into the back of her head as they moved back to the coffee table.
“Shall I pour you another cup?” Rowen asked, still not looking at her friend.
“What was that?” Verity gestured to the closed door.
“What do you mean?” Rowen put on her most innocent face.
“You know perfectly well what I mean, Rowen. You could have cut the tension with a knife!” Verity made a show of fanning herself. “Honestly, that bordered on indecent.”
“You are being ridiculous.” Rowen made a dismissive motion. “Besides, none of it is real. He only behaves like that to keep me off balance, and I was sick to death of it, so I thought I would give him a taste of his own medicine.”
“I did not know medicine could be so scandalous.”
“Verity!” Rowen threw another biscuit at her. “Firstly, we are married, so such exchanges are hardly a source of scandal.”
Verity opened her mouth as if to interrupt, but Rowen continued, holding up a second finger. “Secondly, as I have already said, none of it is real. If anything, it is a game between us, and you know that I hate losing.”
“You are rather competitive,” Verity agreed.
“And thirdly, when the man is not playing the fool, we do manage to get on in a friendly manner. And that is all there is.” Rowen’s eyes drifted to the door again. “I do not want more than that. After all, this is all temporary.”
“For something temporary, you have put rather a lot of effort into making this place feel like a home,” Verity pointed out. “Especially if you plan on leaving it all behind.”
The remarks cut a little too close for Rowen’s comfort, and she shifted. “I expect Tobias would allow me to take some of the things with me. He seemed quite content to live without most things you would find in a civilized household.”
She pursed her lips. The thought of the house returning to its empty state made her heart clench. She tried to imagine the furniture in Irving Manor instead of Kidlington House, only to feel hollow.
“Regardless, the repairs to Irving Manor will be extensive, and having lived through one lot of redecorating, I have no wish to do it again any time soon.” She ran a hand through her hair. “All I want to do is enjoy the fruits of my labor and have a little peace.”
“And it does seem a rather comfortable arrangement.” Verity’s eyes drifted to the window. “Will a part of your enjoyment include procuring a new wardrobe?”
Rowen’s mind flashed to the lavender dress she had seen in Mrs. Green’s shop. She thought of the way the fabric would feel against her skin. She could picture herself in it, striding into a ballroom and commanding the attention of everyone in it.
Her heart sped up at the thought. She shook her head, putting the fantasy aside.
I do not need it.
She had perfectly serviceable gowns. Just because she had money now did not mean she should spend it on her every whim.
“I have plenty of dresses as it is. Before we got married, I had several altered and given new life, and commissioned a couple. Having money now is no reason to spend it carelessly.” She shrugged. “Besides, I do not want to take advantage of Tob—the Duke’s generosity.”
“From the way he looked at you, I suspect he would rather enjoy it.” Verity gave her a pointed look.
Rowen felt her cheeks flush, but she did her best to fix her friend with a withering glare. “And if I wanted him to enjoy such a view, then I might consider it. However, I do not.”
“But think how it would add to your little game,” Verity reasoned.
“I think that would be a little too like playing with fire, Verity, and I have no wish to do so.” Rowen tried not to think of the way Tobias’s eyes had widened when she touched his chest.
What would he think of me in a dress like that?
She felt her cheeks flush and shook her head. “Besides, I want him to take me seriously and not just appreciate me for my looks. I cannot rely on them forever.”
“When your looks fade, men leave you, dear girl.”
Her mother’s voice echoed in her head, and she swallowed. “I have to keep myself safe—keep my children safe. It is far better that Tobias see me as someone competent than as something to pursue.”
“I would love to be fawned over and ogled at every turn,” Verity stated.
Rowen laughed. “You and I both know that is not true. While you may like to look beautiful, my darling Verity, I know that you have no interest in taking a husband.”
“There is a big difference between a husband and a man looking appreciatively at something he will never have.” Verity’s smile was all playful mischief. “I have no wish to be caged again, but to be appreciated? Well, one does like to have their ego stroked on occasion.”
“I suppose there is some truth in that, though I would not call my marriage a cage.” Rowen shifted in her seat, massaging the back of her neck as disquiet coiled inside her. “And I doubt Adele would think of her marriage as one either.”
“No, but you and I both know that such things are the exception rather than the rule. A good man is hard to find.” Verity’s smile slipped for the barest moment before she took Rowen’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“All jokes aside, my dear Rowen, it does seem like you have found yourself a good man.”
“He found me,” Rowen said without thinking. “He may be a good man, but he is only doing his duty. I am an obligation to him, and that suits me just fine. Good men do not always remain so.”
She thought of the promises Tobias had made to her on their wedding day. He had honored those vows, it was true.
But will he continue to?
“I think more often that the men who turn out to be unworthy were never decent in the first place. They simply adopt a facade of gentlemanliness to hide a black heart.” Verity’s eyes darkened, and Rowen knew she was thinking of her own late husband.
“But it is not always easy to tell the difference.” Rowen swallowed. “I cannot afford to put my trust in the wrong place, Verity. Or to put myself under the mercy of a man’s whims.”
It was going well, but then there was that business with Alistair. Even though they seem to have mended things, it was a reminder of how fragile my situation is.
Rowen took a sip of her tea to keep from voicing her thoughts. Her heart felt like it was being pulled between two invisible strings, and she could not understand it.
“You know that we will always be there to support you, Rowen. No matter what happens.” Verity squeezed her hand. “You will never be powerless.”
“I know.” Rowen smiled at her. “I suspect if Tobias ever tried to hurt me, you and the others would break down the door and teach him a lesson.”
“Of course.” Verity nodded.
“But I doubt it will come to that.”
I will not let him hurt me.
Rowen took another sip of her drink.
The grandfather clock chimed the hour, and Verity looked out the window. “I should be on my way. It looks like it might snow.”
Rowen followed her gaze, nodding. “It has been threatening to snow for days.”
“Exactly. And you know what London is like in the snow.” Verity shuddered. “Besides, Socks has just had puppies, and I would like to check in on them before nightfall.”
“Do not let the twins know, or they will hound me for months.” Rowen shook her head. “You know how much Alistair loves Spaniels.”
“You are always welcome to adopt one, once they are old enough.” Verity pulled on her coat, gloves, and hat as they reached the front door.
“No.” Rowen made an emphatic gesture. “The twins are busy enough as it is, and if they were to get a puppy, I would want them to care for it properly. Besides, that is a step too close to making ourselves at home. Furniture is one thing, but a pet is quite another.”
Verity let out a laugh as the footman opened the door. Outside, snowflakes were falling in gentle swirls. They settled on the road, blanketing the sounds of the busy city.
“Very well, I will not tell them.” Verity hugged Rowen.
“Thank you. And thank you for visiting. I have missed you.” Rowen hugged her back.
“As have I.” Verity moved away from her and walked towards the waiting carriage. As the driver held the door open, she hesitated and called over her shoulder, “Marriage suits you, Rowen. I am glad to see you settled.”
The door to the carriage closed before Rowen could reply, leaving her alone with her friend’s parting words and the softly falling snow.