Page 92 of As the Earl Likes
“I think we must all go to Bath for the Season,” Gwen suggested, looking around the room. “We can support Min.”
“I would like that,” Jo murmured to Sheff.
“Then that’s where we will be,” he said with a smile.
“Pandora will be there, of course,” Persephone said. “Since she lives there with our aunt. I mention her because she was not able to finish Jo’s embroidered copy of the rogue rules before today. But now, she can give it to you in person.” Persephone smiled at Jo.
“She’s making one for me?” Jo asked in surprise. The warmth and love of friendship rushed through her, and she was incredibly grateful to Gwen for inviting her into their set. “I was not part of the group when the rules were formed.”
“You are part of the group now,” Persephone assured her. “And I think we can all agree that you, out of us all, need a copy of those rules where Sheff can see them.” She winked at Sheff, who laughed.
“My roguing days are over,” Sheff declared.
“I might like you to be a rogue once in a while,” Jo said with a slight shrug, and everyone laughed.
They visited awhile longer before their friends began to filter out—though Min and Ellis were merely retreating upstairs to their sitting room. At last, it was just Jo and Sheff in the drawing room. Jo kicked off her slippers and sat down sideways on a settee, putting her feet up.
Sheff slid onto the settee and put her feet on his lap. “That was lovely.”
Jo smiled, feeling a warm satisfaction. “It was, wasn’t it?”
“And you planned the entire thing,” he said proudly.
“I was happy to organize things myself, and Mrs. Ingram was most helpful. She also apologized to me about twenty times for assuming you had been intimate with that woman at the duke’s party.”
Sheff chuckled. “She apologized to me probably fifty times.” He started to massage one of Jo’s feet, and she moaned softly. “She also told me that I am lucky to have you as my countess.”
“That’s nice to hear.” Jo was nervous about returning to London and hearing differing opinions.
“Don’t worry.” Sheff gave her foot a comforting squeeze. “Everything will be fine back in town.”
“I can’t help thinking about it. I never imagined I’d be a countess.” Or a duchess someday. Jo wouldn’t think about that at all. “It’s overwhelming, and you can’t disagree with that.”
“No, I can’t.” He moved to massage her other foot. “But I am here by your side. I will support you and love you every step of the way.”
“I know.” She wiggled her toes, and he lifted her foot to press a kiss to the inner arch. She could feel the softness of his lips through the silk of her stocking. “I keep meaning to give your five hundred pounds back to you. Seems rude of me to keep it.”
He stared at her, aghast. “Why? We had an agreement, and you fulfilled your side of the bargain.”
Jo laughed. “It failed. We did not go our separate ways at all.”
“Well, it feels like a tremendous success to me. I insist you do whatever you like with the money.”
“Anything at all?” she asked.
“Anything at all.”
“Since becoming a book publisher would likely be frowned upon with my new title, I have been thinking about starting a library. I would be the patroness. But I would like for it to be in East London and provide a certain number of subscriptions for little or even no charge. I might also employ someone to teach people to read.” She waved her hand. “These are all just rambling thoughts for now.”
“They are excellent thoughts, and I wholly support them.” Sheff moved his hand up her calf. “Only tell me how I can help.”
“I will.” She met his gaze and could see that his thoughts had taken on a decidedly lurid bent. “Should we go upstairs?”
“I suppose that would be best.” Sheff removed her feet from his lap and stood. Then he gathered her into his arms, prompting her to gasp as she curled her arms around his neck. “Come, my lady wife.”
Jo put her mouth to his ear and whispered, “Only if you make me.”
His eyes met hers with wicked promise. “I accept your challenge.”
