Page 38 of As the Earl Likes
Her mother lifted a shoulder. “It is not an interesting tale. I’ll see you later, my darling.” She kissed Jo’s cheek before bidding good day to the modiste, the duchess, and Min—in that order. Jo was not at all surprised that her mother would give precedence to the working woman, regardless of what was socially correct.
After Madame Demarest measured every part of Jo, they departed. When they were settled in the coach, the duchess settled her gaze on Jo. “You chose a lovely gown for the betrothal ball. And your other selections were indeed satisfactory. It seems Min has had a good influence on you.”
“Actually, Mama, Jo had excellent taste before she knew me,” Min said. “It just so happens our preferences are aligned. I’m sure that’s one of the many reasons we are such good friends.”
Jo had never had a female ally outside of her household. Min’s support was both surprising and incredibly welcome.
“It is good that you are friends,” the duchess said, her gloved hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Minerva, your guidance will be critical to Josephine’s success.”
Jo bristled at the duchess’s use of her full name. She did not wish to correct her, however. More accurately, she did not want to provoke the woman, not when there were still shoes and accessories to grapple over.
The duchess pinned Jo with an unnerving stare. “I do hope you know that after Saturday, invitations will arrive at your door in large quantities. While you do not have to accept every single one, you must accept a great many. I shall send word to you daily of what you need to accept.”
Must.
Need.
There was absolutely nothing she must accept or anywhere she needed to go. But Jo would not quarrel with her about the matter. She would leave that to Sheff.
After spending even a short time with the duchess, Jo could understand why Sheff was so desperate to deflect her attention away from him. Desperate enough to fabricate a betrothal and suffer the disappointment when it disintegrated.
She hoped he knew what he was inviting.
Chapter 8
Sheff was quite looking forward to meeting Jo as he strolled into Hyde Park and headed straight for the Ring. He’d stopped in at the Siren’s Call last night to make sure she was still able to meet today. She’d appreciated him checking and said she would have a new walking dress to wear. That had been the extent of their conversation, for she’d been rather busy. It was too bad because Sheff had been keen to hear how the appointment with the modiste had gone the day before.
He could have asked his mother or Min, but he hadn’t seen them, nor had he wanted to ask. At least, not his mother. He found avoiding her to be the best course of action currently, since she was unhappy with his choice of bride.
Scanning the Ring and the surrounding area, he spotted his mother, along with Min and Ellis. But where was Jo? She’d said she would be coming in the company of Lady Droxford, who, as a married lady, could act as chaperone.
But really, did a woman who worked in a gaming club need a chaperone? Particularly a woman who was already of a spinsterly age?
She did if she was betrothed to an earl. Sheff exhaled. Was it any wonder he hadn’t ever been enthusiastic about playing by Society’s rules?
As he approached the Ring, he decided he might as well visit with his mother, sister, and Ellis. His mother would be put out if he did not.
“Good afternoon,” he greeted them as he drew near.
“Shefford, I’d begun to think you weren’t coming,” his mother said, sounding perturbed. “Not that your betrothed has shown up either.”
“There she is now,” Min said, with a somewhat triumphant smile.
Sheff turned his head and saw a pair of ladies coming toward them. He recognized Droxford’s wife, of course, but the beauty beside her was unknown to him. She wore a wide-brimmed bonnet decorated with flowers and feathers that were smart without being fussy. Her walking dress was a pale green with a unique ivory trim that was cut to show the green beneath. She wore a darker green spencer, expertly cut to accentuate her feminine form, and she carried an elegant muff of ivory silk. A smart accessory since the weather was still cool, though it wasn’t trimmed with fur. Indeed, it appeared to be finished with swan feathers.
But he did know the woman. As she drew closer, he saw her features quite clearly. He should have known at once that the baroness’s companion was none other than his faux betrothed. He’d just never seen Jo look so elegantly garbed. Indeed, many heads were turning, their attention riveted on her progress.
“Everyone will be clamoring for a muff like that since the weather has been so unseasonably cool,” the duchess said with an approving nod.
Sheff relaxed as relief spread through him. His mother seemed to be satisfied with Jo, and that was all he could want. The point of this scheme was to prevent his mother’s harassment and displeasure.
“Jo, you look stunning,” Min said with a wide smile.
“Doesn’t she?” Lady Droxford agreed. “And you may count me as one of those desperate to have a muff like that,” she added with a laugh. “I shall be ordering mine tomorrow.”
Jo curtsied to the duchess. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.” She looked to Min and then Ellis, inclining her head. “Ellis, your spencer is so attractive. I adore that trim.”
“Thank you,” Ellis murmured.
