Page 74 of As the Earl Likes
She left the office thinking it was nice not to be dwelling on Sheff. Except now she was.
Her mother’s question came back to her. It was possible that she’d fallen in love with Sheff. But she would just as easily fall out of it.
Sheff had been at the Grove, his father’s estate outside Weston, for a few days now. And he was not alone.
Much to Sheff’s surprise, when he’d arrived after visiting Bane, his father had been in residence. Sheff wasn’t sure when the last time was that his father had visited the Grove in the summer. It had been several years, at least. He typically stayed in London until the very end of the Season, then traipsed off to a series of house parties that saw him into the autumn.
This year, however, he’d set up residence in the very place Sheff had been hoping to find peace and solitude so he could determine what to do with the rest of his life that would not see him ending up like his father.
That his father was here to witness and even participate in Sheff’s ruminations was perhaps the most ironic thing ever.
They’d spent the last two days riding, playing cards, and going their own way in the evening. The duke had left every night without a word as to where he was going. Sheff was all but certain he was having a liaison.
Perhaps his father’s presence wasn’t the most ironic thing. It could also be that they were engaging in activities together, which was more than Sheff could say for his time with Bane. The man who had once been Sheff’s closest friend spent most of his time closeted in his study. Sheff had only coaxed him to leave the house once. Every effort he’d made to engage Bane or to provide support and friendship had been rebuffed. Then, when Sheff had suggested that Bane come to Weston to spend time with him and their friends, to perhaps heal, Bane had told him to leave.
Needless to say, Sheff had spent a great deal of time contemplating his own situation, not that doing so had brought him any closer to determining what he wished to do next.
Well, besides ruin his betrothal. He needed to come up with that scheme, but he had time. Which was good, because the idea of being caught with another woman made him decidedly uncomfortable. He didn’t want any woman but Jo.
Hopefully by August, he would be over this infatuation and feel differently.
The duke strode into the breakfast room, appearing fresh and eager. He rubbed his hands together before approaching the sideboard and heaping his plate with items from the buffet.
He sat at the table with Sheff, and the footman poured coffee. He also refilled Sheff’s cup.
“Morning, Sheff. Another ride this afternoon?” the duke asked as he slathered butter and jam on his toast.
“I’m game if you are. You seem inordinately pleasant this morning. Indeed, you’ve been that way the entire time I’ve been here. What’s going on?”
The duke chuckled. “Am I that unpleasant usually?”
“You are…challenging,” Sheff said judiciously. “I also don’t spend this much time with you in London. Sometimes, I only see you when I’m called in for rescue.”
Grimacing, the duke took a bite of toast, then chewed it thoughtfully. After he swallowed, he said, “I would argue that you don’t need to rescue me. I’m man enough to suffer my mistakes.”
“That may be, but I am trying to protect the family’s reputation, primarily so Min can make the marriage she wants.”
“Bah. She doesn’t want to marry. But then, neither do you.” He sipped his coffee, eyeing Sheff over the rim of the cup. “Still can’t imagine why you’re betrothed to that chit.”
“She’s not a chit,” Sheff said, his ire pricked.
The duke arched a still-dark brow. “I have struck a nerve. Perhaps you really do have feelings for her. Is that why you’re moping around here? Why don’t you go back to London?”
“Because Jo is busy with the Siren’s Call, and I…wanted a respite. I was visiting with Bane.”
“Yes, I know. Though, you said that was a waste of time.”
That wasn’t exactly what Sheff had said, but he wouldn’t correct him. “Bane is struggling with his grief.”
The duke’s brow furrowed as he nodded. He ate his breakfast for several minutes while Sheff drank his coffee.
When the duke spoke, his words surprised Sheff. “He didn’t want to marry that girl—Malton’s daughter. But his father forced the issue.”
Sheff had suspected as much, but Bane had never said. “He didn’t even tell me he was betrothed. And we were together in Weston just before he traveled north to be wed.”
“When he was caught with that other chit,” the duke said. “I’m sure Banemore has many regrets. You can let them drag you into darkness, or you can forge your way through and find peace with yourself.”
Sheff had never heard his father speak in such a manner. “Is that what you’ve done?”
