Page 26 of As the Earl Likes
He clasped his hands behind his back. “I will, ah, take that under advisement.”
Jo didn’t believe he would.
Her mother left the sitting room, going through the entrance hall, either to her suite or perhaps downstairs to the club.
A sudden wave of exhaustion swept over Jo. She drooped and wiped her hand over her brow. Forgetting there was now a ring on her finger, she scratched her skin with the raised jewel. “Ow.”
“What did you do?” Sheff moved closer, which she didn’t particularly want. She’d barely recovered from the shocking intimacy of their kiss.
“I forgot about this ring and scratched my forehead. Is it bleeding?”
He fixed his gaze on her brow, his expression intent. “No, it’s just red.” Lifting his hand, he rubbed his thumb over where her flesh stung. “I did not mean to provide you with a weapon. You don’t have to wear it all the time. But I had to give you something.”
“Couldn’t you just have purchased a paste jewel? What if something happens to your grandmother’s ring while it’s in my possession?”
“Nothing is going to happen to it,” he said with a faint smile. “I have complete faith in you. What self-respecting gentleman puts a paste betrothal ring on a lady’s finger?”
She gave him a sardonic look. “What self-respecting gentleman pays that lady to pretend to be his betrothed?”
“This one,” he said with a laugh.
Jo moved away from him, eager to put distance between them. Her pulse was still moving a little more quickly than she would like. Today had simply been a great deal to manage. Both her parents together and this faux proposal.
Not to mention a stirring kiss.
No, she didn’t want to mention that at all. Not even in the confines of her own thoughts.
“Have you told your parents yet?” she asked, moving back toward the seating area, not that she had any intention of sitting. She didn’t want him to stay, for she had work to do and she probably ought to visit a modiste. But whom?
Sheff followed her, but didn’t come too close. “I haven’t spoken to them, but I will in a short while. I’ve requested their presence for a meeting. I confess I’m a bit apprehensive about seeing them together, but I would rather share the news once. This also ensures that neither is upset that the other found out first.” He rolled his eyes.
“Managing parents can be a challenge,” Jo said with a commiserative nod. “I can’t recall the last time mine were together. That made me anxious about today, though it seemed to have gone well.”
“I should say so, at least from my perspective. Your father appears to be quite delighted, while your mother is more reserved. I suppose that is to be expected since she knows the truth of the matter, and he does not.”
“Even if she didn’t, she would still be more reserved than my father.” Jo cocked her head. “How was your meeting with him last night? Did you manage to avoid debauchery?”
He laughed. “Yes, though there was plenty of opportunity. It was unlike any soiree I’ve ever attended.”
“Do you plan to attend another in the future?” She assumed it was precisely the type of entertainment he enjoyed, especially since he didn’t seem to want to discuss it with her.
“Not as long as my father is invited. Gerard said that is why I haven’t ever received an invitation—he didn’t think I’d want to come. And he was right. I suppose I must be on my way.” He started to turn, then stopped himself. “Oh, if I may suggest a modiste—Madame Demarest is one of the most popular this Season. If you’d like, I can have my mother arrange for you to have a fitting on Monday.”
“Your mother?”
“I am fairly certain she will want to accompany you.” He grimaced, then gave her an apologetic look, his brow furrowing in a way that was actually quite endearing. “Is that all right? It didn’t seem as though your mother wanted to go with you.”
“My mother would likely say she is too busy. That does not bother me.” Indeed, Jo had been managing her own clothing for nearly a decade. Having someone else help her decide would be awkward. “Will your mother hope to choose everything for me?”
“I honestly don’t know. Perhaps Min should go too.”
“It would be nice to have Min and Ellis there.” Even if that meant more time lying to them. On second thought, perhaps Jo would be fine without them.
“Oh, not Ellis. My mother wouldn’t invite her. But she’d be delighted to have Min along. Just tell me what you prefer.”
Jo wanted to ask why Ellis, who was absolutely lovely, wouldn’t be included, but she didn’t want to pry. He also needed to be on his way to meet with his parents. “I will go along with whatever is easiest. You should probably get on. You’ve an appointment to keep.”
He exhaled. “Yes. Wish me luck.” He flashed her a smile. “I’ll stop in at the Siren’s Call this evening to let you know how it went.”
