Page 30 of As the Earl Likes
Before he could think of how to respond, such as pleading with her not to tell their parents when she discovered it, Min sailed from the room.
Sheff was now doubting the wisdom of his plan. Perhaps they should call it off.
Then he’d be right back where he started.
After spending a couple of hours cleaning and tidying the cardroom downstairs in the club, Jo was having tea in the seating area in her bedchamber. The work in the cardroom hadn’t really been necessary because one of the employees would take care of it when they came to work, but Jo had needed to do something. Her mind was too active with thoughts of this fake betrothal, her parents, Sheff’s meeting with his parents, and, perhaps most of all, Sheff and that stupid kiss.
She just needed to stop thinking about it. They had a rule—that she’d made—about no kissing, and they would stick to it. There was no need to even recall they’d kissed in the first place.
Mrs. Rand popped her head into the room; the door hadn’t been closed. She did not look like a typical housekeeper in that she utterly disdained house caps. Instead, she wore a small, rather smart hat that she pinned into her blond hair. Her blue eyes fixed on Jo. “You’ve more callers. I suppose because you’re betrothed now.”
Her features were austere—small eyes, sharp chin, and thin lips. She did not ever smile widely, but Jo suspected that was due to her teeth. Jo had only ever glimpsed them once or twice, but they were rather crooked. Despite Mrs. Rand’s generally stern expression, she was a wonderful woman, and to Jo, she was family.
“I suppose so,” Jo said, though she couldn’t imagine who would be calling now. She might have guessed Sheff had returned. He’d said he’d see her tonight at the Siren’s Call, but perhaps his plans had changed. Except, Mrs. Rand had said callers, plural. “Who is it?”
“Lady Minerva Halifax and Miss Ellis Dangerfield. They gave me a card.” Mrs. Rand’s mouth quirked into a slight smile as she pushed the door open wider. “Very highborn.”
“Min is my betrothed’s sister, so yes.”
Mrs. Rand wrinkled her nose. “Your fake betrothed? Your mother told me the truth of things. I won’t breathe a word, except to Frannie.”
Jo wasn’t surprised her mother had confided in Mrs. Rand nor that the housekeeper would tell the most important person in her life. “I would have told you. It’s not as if you would believe I would marry an earl.”
“Why would you trade one enclosure for another?” Mrs. Rand asked with a chuckle. “Though I believe the life you want lies somewhere between the two. At some point, you are going to have to tell your mother that.”
Sucking in a breath, Jo was surprised now. How had Mrs. Rand discerned that? Jo hadn’t ever said anything about wanting to do anything other than take her mother’s place at the Siren’s Call. “My mother doesn’t suspect that, does she?”
Mrs. Rand shook her head. “No, which is why you will have to tell her. I know it won’t be easy, but she will understand. She won’t want you to commit to something you don’t really want, not when she fought so hard to have a life she treasures.
“Then why is she going to the seaside for the summer?” Jo was still baffled by this turn of events.
“I’m not sure she knows,” Mrs. Rand replied with a shrug. “Don’t keep your guests waiting. Shall I bring tea?” She glanced toward Jo’s tray. “Perhaps not.”
“I’ll ask if they want any, but for now, no.” Jo stood, and Mrs. Rand moved to pick up the tray. “Thank you. I would have taken it to the kitchen.” Jo had prepared it herself, as she often did, and she nearly always returned the tray downstairs.
“I know you would,” Mrs. Rand said with a nod. “But you’ve got to pretend to be betrothed. Off with you.”
Jo made her way to the sitting room, where Min and Ellis were already seated. Min wore a very determined look. Presumably, she’d heard about the betrothal.
“I can surmise why you’re calling,” Jo said as she sat down in a chair opposite their settee.
Min’s gaze dipped to Jo’s hand. “He gave you our grandmother’s ring?”
“Yes.” Jo glanced down at her bejeweled finger. Why had she forgotten to take the ring off? She should not have worn it while tidying. She should only wear it when she went out in Society, which would hopefully be a small amount of time. The urge to strip it off now was great, especially if her friend had issue with Jo having it. “Is that a problem?”
“It’s surprising,” Min said, exhaling. “All this is most shocking. I don’t for one moment think you and Sheff have fallen madly in love after one dance at the Phoenix Club. You’ve known each other for some time.”
A few years at least, Jo reasoned. And they should have expected that Min wouldn’t be fooled into thinking this was an ordinary betrothal.
“Min thinks it’s a marriage of convenience,” Ellis said, sending Min a patient look that told Jo she’d heard a great deal from Min on this subject. That was not surprising, as Min was always one to offer an opinion.
Min pursed her lips. “It has to be. Nothing else makes sense.”
Jo hadn’t known Min terribly long, just a few weeks, really, but they’d become friends. It seemed Min was upset. “Are you angry?” Jo asked.
“No,” Min replied quickly, but her lashes fluttered, and she looked away briefly. “Perhaps a little…hurt. If you were developing a tendre for my brother, why wouldn’t I know?” She met Jo’s gaze, and Jo felt a snag of guilt. She’d known it would be difficult to lie to her new friends. She hadn’t realized how much it would sting.
Jo decided she couldn’t be completely dishonest, especially not when Min knew better. “Yes, it’s a marriage of convenience, but you mustn’t tell anyone. Sheff wants everyone to think it’s a love match.” He hadn’t used those words, but he also hadn’t said they were marrying for convenience. Perhaps they should have discussed things in greater detail.
