Page 81 of As the Earl Likes
“Her mother is in Weston,” Sheff said almost absentmindedly as he sought to say something that wasn’t about Jo.
“Is she? Do you want to pay her a visit? I could go with you.”
Sheff made a face and stared at his father. “Why would I want to visit her? Even if I did, you could not come with me. She banned you from her club a second time after you took liberties with one of the employees.”
“Yes, that.” The duke pressed his lips together. “That won’t be happening again. I’ve decided to take your advice and make some changes. I’ll be returning to London soon, and I won’t be seeking female companionship as I have in the past. Nor will I be drinking to excess. Indeed, I haven’t had anything but ale the past several days and not much of that.”
“What about your new companion?” Sheff had met her at the party. Mrs. Welbeck was a few years younger than his father’s fifty-eight and had the most infectious laugh. Sheff had liked her.
“She’s going to stay here for the summer, but then she’ll be at her primary residence in Bath for the Season starting in October. I plan to visit her there. Then, she may come to London with me in the new year.” He shrugged. “We’ll see what happens. I’m trying not to look too far ahead.”
“I’m glad you’re at least planning for something past tonight.” Sheff smiled at him, feeling genuine warmth and even pride. “I like her. She is quite jovial. I imagine you enjoy that.”
“It is refreshing,” the duke said with a chuckle. “Thank you for giving me the encouragement I needed. Now, it’s my turn to do the same for you. Come back to London with me. Fight for Miss Harker.”
Sheff shook his head firmly. “I can’t do that.”
His father frowned, and he narrowed his eyes at Sheff. “I’ve never known you to be a defeatist. You’ve certainly shouldered all the awful behavior I’ve made you a party to. I am dreadfully sorry, son.”
Sheff had become used to hearing his father apologize nearly every day since he’d revealed the truth behind his horrible behavior. “I’ve forgiven you. You can really stop apologizing.”
“Come to London with me. We’ll find a way to convince Miss Harker that you love her, that the gossip was a terrible rumor started by an obnoxious busybody.”
What would Jo do if Sheff showed up claiming to love her? Would she laugh in his face? Recoil in horror?
Sheff wiped a hand over his brow. “I can’t do any of that because our betrothal wasn’t real. The entire thing was a charade.”
The duke blinked at him. “Why?”
“Because you and Mama wouldn’t let me alone. I couldn’t stand the constant badgering. And Mama said if I wed, you’d stop bothering her about it too.” Sheff shot his father an apologetic look. “I wanted to protect her from you. But now I must wonder if you were even pestering her about me.”
His father snorted. “I was not. I’m sorry she lied to manipulate you.” He shook his head. “Why would Miss Harker agree to a fake betrothal?”
“Because I paid her.” Sheff rested his elbows on the arms of his chair.
“I see. Well, that changes things somewhat. It does not, however, alter the way you feel about her. Did you always love her?”
Sheff wanted to deny it, but why should he bother? Wouldn’t it feel good to share his emotions with one person, even if it wasn’t Jo? “No. I chose her because we were friends and because I believed she would weather the dissolution of the betrothal, unlike someone from Society.”
“You think Miss Harker won’t be ruined by crying off, whereas someone from your own class would.” The duke stared at him. “Are you daft?”
“No. Why would you think that?”
“Because to think Miss Harker would not be affected by your behavior is incredibly shortsighted of you. There will be plenty of people who won’t wish to associate with her, and I don’t believe she’s entirely disengaged from Society. She is friends with Min and her set, is she not?”
“Yes, but they won’t drop her.”
His father sent him a dubious glance. “Your mother will most certainly try to insist that Min do so.”
Dammit, Sheff hadn’t thought of that. “Why are we all so bloody beholden to Mother? Especially after the way she’s treated you? I think we should convince her to remove to Beacon Park.” That was their country seat in Bedfordshire. “No, not convince her, demand she go. She can’t continue to make all of us miserable.”
“I will deal with your mother, all right? You must focus on winning Miss Harker. Is there no chance at all she might reciprocate your feelings?”
“I would be shocked if she did. She has less desire to wed than I did, if that is possible. She yearns for an independent life hosting literary salons.”
“A countess can host literary salons,” the duke said. “Indeed, a countess can do that far more easily and with greater flourish and impact than a spinster.”
Sheff leveled his gaze on the duke. “You’re suggesting I win her by promising a lifetime of literary salons?”
