Page 14 of As the Earl Likes
“That sounds complicated,” Sheff said.
At that moment, a liveried footwoman—the ladies’ side of the club only employed women—delivered folded pieces of parchment to Jo and to Sheff.
They opened them simultaneously.
Jo’s eyes rounded briefly, almost comically. “What a surprise. I’m to dance with Shefford for the next set.”
“That is a surprise indeed,” Sheff said, tucking the paper into his pocket. “I wonder if we might take a promenade until then. That way, I won’t lose you.”
“Of course,” Jo replied.
Cleveland took his leave, and Sheff offered his arm to Jo. He guided her toward the perimeter of the ballroom. “Refreshments or night air?”
“Refreshment and then night air,” she said, pulling him gently toward the other side of the ballroom where there were tables bearing ratafia, lemonade, and even champagne. Jo selected champagne, and Sheff did the same. Then he escorted her outside to the ladies’ side of the garden.
Jo took her hand from his arm as she sipped her champagne. “Lovely,” she murmured. “Though I hate knowing there is all manner of rare liquor upstairs in the men’s side and I can’t have any of it.”
“The same beverages are available on the ladies’ side.” Sheff noted the flash of surprise in her expression. “Did you not know that?”
“I did not. I’ve only been here a handful of times, and I’ve not been upstairs.”
Sheff inclined his head. “You should make a point of it tonight. They just received a new whisky from the Highlands today. It’s not quite my taste, but you might enjoy it.”
Her eyes lit with interest. “I’ve yet to meet a whisky I didn’t like.”
“So noted.” Sheff reached into his pocket and removed an envelope. Inside was a banknote for two hundred and fifty pounds. He handed it to her. “You can purchase a great deal of it with this.”
Pausing, she grasped the envelope, her gaze fixing on it for a moment before she slipped it into the side of her gown. Presumably she had a pocket. “Thank you,” she murmured.
“You seemed hesitant to agree to this scheme,” Sheff said, continuing to walk away from the building. “Are you certain you wish to do this?” He held his breath. There would be no one better to complete this task. She was clever, charming, and she could weather whatever the ton would say or do.
She’d moved with him and didn’t stop to answer his question. “If I’m honest, not entirely. However, you’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse.” She slid him a sly smile that made his toes curl inexplicably.
No, not inexplicably. Jo was a beautiful woman, and they were alone in a dark garden. Furthermore, he was a scoundrel of the highest order. He’d already identified a half dozen places in the garden to which he could whisk her and steal a kiss.
Not that he would. He was not allowed to do that, per their arrangement. And he would follow her requirements to the letter.
He watched her profile as they walked along the path toward the back of the walled garden. “You could refuse. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
She gave him a cool look. “I won’t ever agree to something I don’t want to do. I appreciate your concern, though.”
“I realize this will be challenging for you, but I never would have asked if I didn’t think you would be up to the task.” He wanted to make her laugh, at least a little, as she’d done with Cleveland. “The new wardrobe is reason enough to agree, isn’t it?”
No laugh, but her lips lifted in a brief smile. “It is enticing. However, I am a businesswoman with an eye toward expense, so you may be assured I will not spend your entire fortune on gowns and shoes and gloves.” She looked over at him. “Perhaps I should pay for the items; then you can reimburse me. That seems easiest and won’t draw any undue interest.” She took a drink of her champagne, and Sheff was drawn to the press of her plump lower lip against the rim of the glass.
“It’s not unusual for a man to pay for his wife’s trousseau.”
“Especially when the man is a wealthy heir to a dukedom and the woman is working class?” There was an edge to her voice that made him wonder if this truly made her uncomfortable.
“The difference in our classes means nothing to me,” Sheff said with great conviction.
“And yet, you didn’t ask a nobleman’s daughter to participate in your scheme.”
They’d reached the back of the garden and now turned to the left to make a circuit on the path that ran parallel to the wall. Shrubs and trees separated the path from the wall.
Sheff sipped his champagne and sent her a sideways glance. “Perhaps I did.”
“Did you?” she asked in surprise.
