Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
“Of course, Rowen did not care that the man might be armed. She did not even hesitate; she simply flung herself at him and tackled him to the ground.” Verity laughed and shook her head.
The Salisbury ball was in full swing, and Rowen, Verity, Cora, and Tobias were standing on the edge of the dance floor.
Rowen and Tobias were taking a break from dancing, having spent a good part of the evening waltzing.
The air thrummed with music, laughter, and chatter. Every now and then, she would feel eyes drift towards her, and Tobias’s words would come back to her.
“Do not try to hide your radiance.”
She straightened, smiling broadly and meeting the stranger’s gaze. Sometimes, she would wave at them and delight in the spots of embarrassment that she would see on their cheeks as they realized she had caught them staring.
“And what happened then?” Tobias’s voice pulled her back to the present.
“She reclaimed my reticule, dispatched a Runner to fetch the magistrate, and sat on the man until he arrived.” Cora gave Rowen’s hand an affectionate squeeze.
“You are forgetting the way she tied his hands with ribbons, Cora,” Verity added. “You would think she was securing a present, not a thief.”
“I suspect the magistrate had never received such a prettily tied criminal.” Tobias turned to face his wife, his green eyes sliding over her with such intensity that she felt a shiver run down her spine.
How does he do that to me so easily?
His lips quirked into a smile that sent her heart tumbling around her chest. “I knew you were brave, Rowen, but you have a heart so sure that it would put a lion to shame.”
“I was not so courageous. The man was unlikely to be armed, and what Verity has neglected to mention is that he was easily a head shorter than me.” Rowen gave Verity a meaningful look, but was interrupted by her friend before she could continue.
“But he was twice as broad!”
“Anyone would have done it.” Rowen waved a dismissive hand. “Besides, you also helped me restrain the man. Or have you forgotten how you also sat on him while we waited for the magistrate?”
“Who took his sweet time in arriving, let me tell you.” Cora shook her head. “And then of course, he had the audacity to tell us off for apprehending the fellow in such an unladylike fashion.”
“And I suspect he got the sharp end of Rowen’s tongue?” Tobias cocked his head.
Rowen shook her head. “He would have, if Cora had not beaten me to it. But after the dressing down she gave him, I could not bring myself to add to it.”
“It was hardly a dressing down. It was but a few choice words to remind him that if he had not taken his time in coming to find us, we would not have had to behave in such an unladylike fashion,” Cora said with the air of someone correcting something utterly inconsequential.
“You called him a twiddling fool who had not the wit to form half a thought, let alone a coherent sentence.” Rowen arched an eyebrow at her friend, an amused smile on her face.
“Well, one should always call a spade a spade.” Cora waved a hand in the air and sipped her drink, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “And when you get to my age, dear, you never know which words might be your last, so you may as well make every one count.”
“You speak as though you are frail beyond measure, Lady Cora, but the woman before me could not be described in such terms,” Tobias stated. “Only youth and fools think that old age means weakness.”
“And yet, by my eyes, you are still young,” Cora countered.
“I think you and I both know that appearances are often deceiving, My Lady.” Tobias made a magnanimous gesture that made Rowen’s heart soar. “I have the appearance of youth, but the heart of age. And I think the opposite is true about you.”
“It seems I am not the only person with a gilded tongue.” Cora gave him an appraising look. “It is nice to know you are more than just a pretty face.”
“High praise, indeed, Lady Cora.” Tobias inclined his head.“I shall try to be worthy of it.”
“See that you do.” Cora turned to face Rowen. “Rowen, you and His Grace really must come and stay at my country estate with the children. It has been too long since I have seen them.”
Rowen just managed to keep her jaw from dropping to the floor. Verity exchanged a look with her, her eyes wide.
In their years of friendship, there were only a handful of people Cora had invited to stay at her country home.
“It would be a privilege and an honor to join you, Lady Cora.” Tobias inclined his head towards her.
His somber tone told Rowen that he had seen their reaction and understood at least a little of the offer that had been made.
“And of course, we would love to have you stay with us as well. And bring along anyone you want. I would not wish for you to make the journey alone.”
Rowen’s heart swelled even further. Cora had a close friend whom she did not like to be parted from, and one of the many reasons she did not travel was that few people would extend an invitation to a commoner.
Cora’s eyes widened, and she nodded. “A most generous offer.”
Tobias shrugged. “You have been a dear friend to Rowen. You and anyone you care about will always be welcome in my home. That extends to all of you.”
“Careful, Your Grace, or else Verity will bring all of her dogs.” Cora laughed.
Tobias took it in his stride and gave Rowen’s friends his most charming smile. “I have no doubt the children would be delighted.”
“And then we will have to deal with Georgie and Alistair begging for a puppy of their own.” Rowen shook her head, though the thought of Georgie and Alistair’s excitement brought a smile to her lips.
Verity gave her a sidelong look. “When I last saw you, I did mention that Socks has just had puppies, and they are looking for good homes.”
“Perhaps we should visit them and pick one,” Tobias suggested.
“Are you really suggesting we get the children a puppy?” Rowen folded her arms across her chest. “Can you imagine the chaos?”
“I am sure it is nothing we cannot handle.” Tobias grinned.
Rowen gave him a flat look. “That is because you have not listened to the twins argue about whose book is whose.”
“I suppose you have a point.” Tobias rubbed his chin thoughtfully and then gave her a wicked grin as he spread his arms wide. “We shall just have to get two then.”
Verity and Cora let out delighted laughs, and Rowen shook her head in exasperation. But she could not quite keep the smile off her face.
The music shifted, moving from a lively waltz into something more sedate. Rowen noticed Cora look towards the dance floor, her hand gripping her walking stick.
How long has it been since she danced?
Rowen caught Tobias studying Cora before he looked at her. She knew what he was going to say before he said it. She put a hand on her chest, her heart full.
“Would you do me the honor of this dance, Lady Cora?” Tobias held out his arm and added in a stage whisper, “I suspect you will be able to show us young things a thing or two.”
“I might.” Cora handed her walking stick to Rowen. “I suppose we shall see if your feet are as quick as your tongue.”
Rowen watched as Cora looped an arm through Tobias’s and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
“He is not what I expected,” Verity murmured. “Even though he must be supporting her, he somehow manages to make it look like he is not.”
“He is good at that sort of thing.” Rowen touched a hand to her necklace. “He makes caring look effortless.”
A gentleman asked Verity to dance before she could say anything, and Rowen motioned for her to go. She watched as her friends twirled across the dance floor, feeling her heart ache as she saw Tobias laugh and talk with Cora.
“You seem rather pleased with yourself, daughter,” a cold voice said from behind her.
Rowen recognized the slight sneer even before she turned around.
Priscilla Jenkins, the Duchess of Hillcroft, was staring up at her. Her nose was wrinkled as though she smelled something unpleasant, and her grey eyes were cool. It made the curl of her lips seem more like a threat than a smile.
“Mother, I did not expect to see you here.” Rowen forced her shoulders to relax.
“Did you think you were the only one who could have an extended mourning period?” Her mother gave a smile that was more reproachful than kind.
She is goading me.
“We have waited a suitable amount of time, and this gown is more than appropriate for half-mourning.” Rowen realized that she was shrinking down and forced herself to straighten.
I am not a child.
“I have done nothing improper.”
“Is that truly what you think?” Her mother’s laugh was so cold it made ice seem warm. “How little you cared for propriety when you neglected to invite me and your father to your wedding.”
“Our marriage coincided with your annual trip to the Lake District. I know how important the trip is to your health, and I did not wish to disturb your peace.”
And I was glad not to have you and Father there.
Rowen tried to keep her thoughts off her face, forcing herself to smile and hoping it would appease her mother. “Besides, you would not have been able to make it in time anyway.”
“Do not pretend you care about my health, Rowen.” Her mother flicked her fingers in irritation. “You have always been too stubborn and selfish, and I have had to pay the price.”
“I did not think an invitation would serve any purpose other than to aggravate you. The trip would take too long, and it is my second marriage, after all.” Rowen clenched her hands into fists.
How does she make me feel so small when she is so much shorter than me?
Her mother snorted. “That is immaterial, Rowen. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for us to find out about your engagement in the papers? And then to snub us by not even inviting us—I could not show my face at the book club for weeks!”
“I apologize, Mother. I did what I thought best at the time. It was all rather rushed and—” Rowen began.