Page 34 of As the Earl Likes
“Including walks in the park? We should endeavor to be seen there perhaps once a week. In fact, we should go one day this week before the ball.” Sheff couldn’t stop staring at Jo’s hands as she moved the cards. She had elegant fingers, long and slender. He imagined them touching him in a variety of ways and began to grow hard. Clearing his throat—and his mind of salacious thoughts—he went back to the thread of their conversation. “Perhaps Wednesday?”
“I would prefer for those two events to include walks in the park,” she said. “Would that be acceptable?”
“It may not be, but after the first couple of weeks, I’m sure we can do less.”
“I suppose that makes sense,” Jo replied as she continued her sorting. She was currently separating the fours by suit. “Wednesday should be fine, though I don’t know if I’ll have a fancy new walking dress by then.”
“You’ll be surprised at the wonders Madame Demarest can work.” He fell silent as he watched her sort the cards, easily enchanted by the flick of her fingers and the arc of her narrow wrists. He imagined clasping her there and pressing his lips to the inner part, where her pulse beat strong. Would it speed for him?
“We could have an actual marriage of convenience.”
Had he said that out loud?
Jo’s hands stopped moving, and he realized he had indeed spoken. Raising his focus to her face, he saw her arrested expression.
“You aren’t serious,” she said, her tone low and incredibly arousing. What the devil was wrong with him? He was barely even flirting with her, and he was overcome with desire.
“Both our parents seem to have that,” he managed to reply. “Marriages of convenience.”
Her lips pressed together into a faint frown. “I would argue their marriages are highly inconvenient for all involved. Why would you want that?” A shudder moved over her shoulders. “I don’t. I’d much rather remain unwed, thank you.”
Right. How could Sheff have forgotten why he’d avoided marriage for so long? He didn’t want what his parents had, and he’d no reason to expect he was capable of anything different. He enjoyed women and freedom too much and would not expect his wife to endure what his mother did.
Sheff had become carried away by his surprisingly persistent attraction to his partner in this scheme. While also contemplating if this entire plan was worth the effort. “You are right, of course. I was only thinking of what you told my sister, and wondered if you might want a true marriage of convenience.”
“I do not.” Jo paused her sorting and cocked her head. “Min was surprised to learn that I would agree to that. I explained that I was planning for my future, which—thanks to your generous fee—I am actually doing.”
“I’m sorry you can’t be completely honest with your friends. I imagine that is difficult.”
“I worry they’ll be angry with me,” she said quietly.
Sheff moved around the table to stand next to her. She pivoted to face him. “I won’t let them. Blame me entirely.”
“Except I am a party to this. I agreed to your scheme, and I’m even accepting money to play my role.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I can blame you.”
“Tell me what I can do to ease your concern.” He searched her face, hating that he was causing lines between her brows.
“Nothing at the moment. Keeping our social engagements to a minimum will be most welcome.”
“You have my word that I’ll only drag you to what is absolutely necessary. The park and the betrothal ball this week, and the park again and probably two events next week. I think Sir Alfred Hightooth is hosting a rout, and he always displays the most fascinating objects.”
Her features lit with excitement. “The botanist? I should actually love to attend that. My father took me to one of his routs perhaps five years ago. He’s been to South America since then, I believe.”
“He has. Just last year. This is the first time he is displaying what he brought back.”
“I am incredibly interested in seeing his specimens.”
Sheff chuckled. “I’m glad to know what sort of Society event thrills you. I’ll find more of the same.”
She blushed, and he found it surprising. He’d never met a more confident or forthright woman, except perhaps his sister. “I do like scholarly lectures and literary salons.”
“Noted.”
The door opened then, and Becky stuck her head into the cupboard. “Oh, I didn’t realize his lordship was in here.”
Resisting the urge to laugh since Jo had already determined that Becky had told him where to find her, Sheff moved back toward his tankard and picked it up.
“Do you need something, Becky?” Jo asked.
