Page 58 of As the Earl Likes
His eyes locked with hers. “But we aren’t going to do anything about it.”
She managed to exhale despite the stranglehold that desire had placed on her ability to breathe. They took a step away from the wall, and two ladies crossed their path.
“Pardon,” Sheff said.
They both looked at him, then flicked glances toward Jo. Without a word, they turned and strode in the other direction.
Jo had never received the cut direct, but she believed that might have been it.
“Bloody prigs,” Sheff breathed. His eyes had darkened with anger, and his features were pulled into a furious glower as he stared after the two women.
“Who cares what they think?” Jo said.
“I do.”
“Do you?” Jo thought of what her father had said to her just before they’d arrived. “I don’t want to cause problems for you,” she said softly.
“You aren’t. At all. I care what they think about you.”
“You shouldn’t. I’m a temporary accessory.” Regardless, she couldn’t deny she felt a prick of agitation at the ladies’ reactions. She would not share that with Sheff, however.
He turned his gaze toward her, and she saw the fury there. “You are not an accessory. And I will ensure those women are excluded from every Society event for the rest of the Season.”
Jo moved to stand in front of him, blocking his view of the women who’d scorned her. “No, you will not.” How would he even do that anyway?
“Their behavior cannot go unpunished,” he said fiercely.
“What an arrogant thing to say. As if you are the arbiter of their actions.”
His expression gentled—slightly. “I won’t allow them to be rude to you.”
“Even if it doesn’t bother me?”
“It bothers me,” he grumbled. “I won’t permit people to denigrate my future wife. Even if you aren’t actually going to be my future wife. They don’t know that.” He sounded possessive and…hurt. Jo couldn’t find fault in either of those things. Indeed, she couldn’t help feeling flattered.
She took her hand from his arm and drew on her glove. “I’m going to the retiring room. If you want to have words with those women while I am gone, I can’t stop you. But I don’t want any part of it.”
She turned on her heel and strode from the drawing room, passing the women who’d cut her without sparing them a glance. In the corridor, she stopped to ask a footman where the retiring room was located.
“I can show you,” a woman said. She was petite and curvaceous, her blonde hair streaked with white. “I am Sir Alfred’s sister, Miss Hightooth.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Jo said. “I’m Miss Josephine Harker.”
“Ah, the Earl of Shefford’s betrothed,” Miss Hightooth said with a knowing smile. “You are a courageous woman. I don’t know you at all, but I admire your spirit.” She led Jo along the corridor to the back of the house.
“Why, because I am marrying an earl?” Jo asked with a chuckle.
“Yes, of course! That is not for the faint of heart. I declined to wed a viscount in my youth. My mother was horrified, but I realized I was not meant for that sort of marriage. Or any marriage, as it turned out. I am a happy spinster.”
Based on her smile and enthusiasm, Jo could see that. “What is it about spinsterhood that you love?”
“Freedom, mostly. I am fortunate to have a brother who cares for me financially. In return, I manage his household and take care of things while he’s traveling.” She opened the door to a small sitting room that had been made into the ladies’ retiring room. “Alf wasn’t meant for marriage either, but that is because he is wed to his studies and exploration.”
“It’s nice that you have one another.” Sometimes Jo wished she had a sibling. Especially now that she had friends her age and saw the relationships Gwen and Min had with their brothers.
“It is, but sometimes I wonder if it might be nice to have a romantic partner,” Miss Hightooth said. “But then I scoff and remind myself that I never wanted that, nor do I need it.” She turned toward the door. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thank you.” Jo looked about the empty space wondering how long she should linger. The only reason she’d left was to give Sheff time to do whatever he planned with those two women.
