Page 32 of As the Earl Likes
Still, she hated lying to them and looked forward to when this was all behind her.
Chapter 7
It was just after ten when Sheff arrived at the Siren’s Call. He’d barely stayed at the ball to which he’d conveyed his mother, Min, and Ellis because he’d been immediately besieged by people asking if he was really betrothed. His mother had appeared downcast, which was frustrating. The ton would be buzzing loud enough about him choosing Jo as his wife. And now his mother was going to fuel the blaze with her obvious disapproval.
Before leaving, he’d asked her to please act as if she were happy, that to do otherwise would invite gossip. That had provoked a response, and she’d summoned an expression that could, perhaps, be mistaken for smiling.
He now knew that his happiness didn’t figure into any of this. His parents’ insistence that he wed had never had anything to do with Sheff finding the other half of his soul or a joy that would brighten all the days of his life. No, there was no discussion of romantic claptrap or even contentment. Ever.
Marriage was a business transaction, and Sheff had invested poorly, according to his mother. His father hadn’t been terribly pleased either, but he’d at least accepted it. Probably only because he preferred to focus on his own enjoyments.
Perhaps this love-deprived environment had fed Sheff’s belief that he wasn’t capable of the emotion. How would he even know?
Becky, the jovial Scottish serving maid with blazing red hair, greeted Sheff with a tankard of ale as he sat at his usual table. “You’re here early tonight. If you’re looking for Jo, I think she’s hiding.”
Sheff had lifted his mug to take a drink, but stopped before doing so. “Why?”
“After the sixth or seventh guest asked her about your betrothal, she must have decided she’d had enough. I think she’s organizing chips or perhaps cards in the storage cupboard.”
“Where can I find that?” Sheff stood, ale still in hand.
“Er, I don’t think that’s a place you can go,” Becky said, her brow creasing as she appeared somewhat confused.
“Nonsense. I’m Jo’s betrothed, and I must speak with her. I don’t want her to come out here if she’s uncomfortable.” Though she was going to have to tolerate people’s questions and stares—and murmured judgments.
Sheff should be telling himself that. Hadn’t he just fled a ball for the same reason Jo was hiding in a closet?
“Please, Becky,” he tried again with a smile. “Where can I find her?”
Becky directed him to a door behind the stairs. “Don’t tell her I told you where she is.”
Sheff nodded before hastening from the common room and finding the cupboard. He knocked once before opening the door and stepping inside.
The small space was lit with two lanterns that allowed him to easily peruse the contents. Shelves crammed with decks of cards, bins of dice and chips, tablecloths and other linens lined three of the walls. There were also glasses and other serving items. A small table sat in the center. Jo stood on the other side of it, organizing decks of cards.
She’d looked up when he walked in and now her gaze burned into his. Or perhaps it only felt that way because they seemed oddly bright.
“How did you find me?” she asked.
“I guessed.”
She made a noise in her throat. “Becky must have told you. It’s fine. I was expecting you, though not this early. Did something happen?”
“I deposited my mother, sister, and Ellis at the ball and came here.” He sipped his ale.
“You didn’t stay at all?”
Sheff set his tankard on the table. “For a few minutes. Now that I am betrothed, there is no reason for me to linger.”
Her eyes lit even brighter as her lips curved up. “Does that mean we don’t have to attend any Society events?”
“Er, no. I’m afraid we must.” But why, really? Someday when he was the duke, he’d have to use social events to forge important relationships, and some would argue he ought to do that now. But Sheff hadn’t ever bothered to do that. He didn’t serve in Parliament, and he hadn’t been looking for an advantageous marriage.
“Min called on me this afternoon,” Jo said as she continued to sort the cards on the table. “She was not convinced we were making a love match.”
Sheff recalled Min’s reaction to learning of their betrothal. “No, I didn’t think she was. How did you respond?”
“I decided there was no point in trying to persuade her we’d fallen madly in love during the span of a waltz. She asked if we were marrying for convenience, and I thought that was as good an explanation as any.” She gave him a tentative look. “I hope that’s all right.”
