Page 20 of As the Earl Likes
Sheff recalled what Mrs. Ackley-Dewitt had told him. He’d presumed Jo’s father perhaps preferred male company, but the proximity of the woman’s hand to his loins seemed to indicate he was accepting of whoever wished to give him attention.
“Good evening, Harker,” Sheff said. “Might I steal a few moments of your time?”
“Certainly.” Harker glanced about their seating area. “I apologize there is nowhere to sit.”
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind taking a brief respite from your…companions, I would appreciate conducting our conversation in a more private and quiet space.”
The woman next to Harker whispered in his ear, and her hand moved farther up his thigh until her fingers were touching his groin.
Harker patted her arm. “I’ll be back before you know it, my dear. And I promise you will have me all to yourself in a while.”
Extricating himself from the possessive woman at his side, Harker stood. He moved from the seating area, and they left the drawing room. The corridor was still not particularly conducive to a private conversation about marriage.
“This way,” Harker said, leading him downstairs. “I can’t imagine what you’d want to speak to me about. Have we even officially met?”
“We have not,” Sheff replied as they reached the ground floor.
Harker took him into the dining room, of all places. It was devoid of people. “This is where people come if they need a respite from everything—and everyone.”
“But there is no one here,” Sheff noted.
“Hardly ever,” Harker said with a laugh, moving into the room and turning to face Sheff. “People don’t come to these parties for a respite. Still, Gerard tries to provide a welcoming space to all.”
“That is most benevolent of him.” Sheff straightened his shoulders. “I shan’t take too much of your time.”
Harker nodded. “I imagine you’d like to partake of the party’s offerings.” His gaze fell to the glass in Sheff’s hand. “Damn, I should have brought wine too.”
Sheff had forgotten he was even holding it. Setting it down on the table, he faced Jo’s father. “Jo told me I could find you here tonight.”
Harker’s brow furrowed. “You are acquainted with my daughter?”
“Yes. I just danced with her at the Phoenix Club ball, in fact.”
Harker’s face lit with joy. “Oh, splendid! I’m so glad she went. She can be so hesitant to attend events like that. Now that I think about it, you probably also know her from the Siren’s Call. I imagine you are a frequent visitor.”
“I am, in fact. I have come to know your daughter well and find we have much in common.”
“Do you?” Harker’s features smoothed. “And you danced with her?”
“Yes.” Sheff needed to proceed to the heart of the matter and be on his way. “Tomorrow, I should like to call on her to propose marriage. However, I wanted to secure your approval first.”
“Bloody hell!” Harker slapped his palm against the table. “You wish to marry Jo? My Jo?”
“I’m rather hoping she’ll become my Jo,” Sheff said, surprised to find he actually felt a thread of possession, even if it was only pretend.
Harker’s eyes narrowed. “She is in favor of this?”
“She is.”
Pursing his lips, Harker was silent for a long moment. Deep creases furrowed along his brow. “Forgive me, Shefford, but your reputation does not recommend you for the state of matrimony. It is understood that you avoid the parson’s trap and that you enjoy the company of a variety of women. That is not the sort of man I would want for my daughter.”
Sheff blinked. There was a distinct irony to this married man, who would shortly join a woman for any number of sexual exploits, questioning Sheff’s behavior. “I have fallen in love with your daughter and look forward to demonstrating my fidelity.”
“Bah!” Harker waved his hand through the air. “You’ll try to be loyal, but men like us are not capable of limiting our attentions to one woman. I’m sure your father has told you that.”
He had not, but actions spoke much louder than words, and Sheff was well aware that the duke was not made for monogamy. Nor was Sheff.
Harker continued, “Still, I understand your need to do your duty, and the thought of my Jo as a future duchess is rather intoxicating.” He grinned, then quickly sobered. One eye narrowed skeptically. “She feels the same about you and has indicated she will accept your suit?”
