Page 36 of As the Earl Likes
The hack stopped in front of the modiste’s shop, preventing Jo from answering her mother’s query. They stepped out and went inside. There were other patrons, but not Min or the duchess, as far as Jo could see.
A moment later, the door opened, and in walked an exceptionally slender woman dressed impeccably, her brown-and-gray hair styled artfully beneath a fetching bonnet. Though Jo hadn’t yet seen Min, she felt certain this was the Duchess of Henlow.
And then Min stepped from behind her. She smiled upon seeing Jo and came toward her. Her gaze flicked to Jo’s mother.
“Min, this is my mother, Jewel Harker,” Jo said.
Min’s face flickered with concern. “Allow me to present my mother, Her Grace, the Duchess of Henlow.”
Jo realized she’d likely done that incorrectly. She should not have introduced her mother first. Dipping into a curtsey, she addressed the duchess. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.”
“I’m sure.” The duchess looked to Jo’s mother, who did not curtsey.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” Jo’s mother said with a vague smile. There was a slight edge to her tone that seemed to carry some sort of context. Had they met before? Perhaps years ago?
The duchess inclined her head as the edge of her lips appeared to curl in displeasure. “Mrs. Harker.”
Jo’s mother gave a proper smile to Min. “I’m pleased to meet you, Lady Minerva. Jo has told me about what a wonderful friend you’ve become. I’m always so glad when women form strong bonds.”
“Come, let us inform Madame Demarest of our arrival,” the duchess said stiffly, moving past them into the shop, where she addressed a young woman wearing an apron with a D stitched on the front.
“I’m sorry for ruining that introduction,” Jo whispered to Min.
“Do not concern yourself. My mother will take time to accept you, but she will. She will see how lovely and capable you are.”
“I hope so,” Jo’s mother said before turning and going to join the duchess.
“Let us pray this does not become awkward,” Jo said, eyeing the two older women, who stood next to one another but did not speak.
Min chuckled. “I think it’s too late for that. We shall simply have to keep it from becoming unpleasant.”
Jo looked at her in horror. “You don’t think it would?”
“I think we must steer things to ensure everything remains amenable. Shall we join them?”
They linked arms and stepped toward their mothers as Madame Demarest also approached. Tall, with dark auburn hair and bright blue eyes, the modiste was perhaps thirty years of age. She greeted them warmly, but her attention was primarily reserved for the duchess.
“Your Grace, let us adjourn to the private chamber to discuss your needs.” Madame Demarest didn’t sound French, which Jo had assumed, given her name. In fact, her voice almost carried a lilt of…Irish?
The duchess led their party through an arched doorway into a corridor. Turning left, she moved into a spacious sitting room with a tall, wide mirror as well as a dressing screen. A book sat on a table near the door. The duchess picked it up as she walked in and situated herself in a chair.
Jo’s mother took another chair, opposite the duchess, while Jo and Min sat on a settee situated between the two mothers. Madame Demarest stood near another chair. “Would you care for tea?”
“Not today, thank you,” the duchess replied without looking up from the book she was perusing.
“I would, thank you,” Jo’s mother said with a smile. She glanced toward Jo and Min.
Jo nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Er, that would be lovely.” Min sent a worried glance at her mother, who did not look up from the book.
“Is that a book of fashion plates?” Jo’s mother asked. “We’re here to outfit my daughter, Miss Harker, as she has just become engaged to the Earl of Shefford. I’m sure she would like to look at what you have to offer.”
“Certainly,” Madame Demarest said. “May I offer my congratulations, Miss Harker,” she said to Jo with a warm smile. “I’ll return directly with a book, and the tea will arrive shortly.” She departed with a brisk stride.
The duchess made a slight sound in her throat, again not lifting her attention from the book. “I declined tea, because it will be best if we choose quickly so Madame Demarest will be able to begin as soon possible. There is a ball Thursday night and, of course, the betrothal ball on Saturday.”
Jo wasn’t aware of a ball besides the betrothal one at Henlow House. “I have not received an invitation to a ball on Thursday.” Nor did she wish to attend.
