Page 86 of As the Earl Likes
Sheff gaped at her. “Why would you tell Min about that?” And had Min told Jo? Did that even matter since Jo had heard the gossip about the women in the garden, thanks to Mrs. Lawler, and already cried off?
Mrs. Ingram shrugged, her expression contrite. “I have a close relationship with Lady Minerva. I write to her once a month or so about what’s happening here.”
Whether Jo knew or not, Sheff needed to see her. He needed her to know that he had changed—for good. His future wasn’t written. He could choose love. He would choose love and marriage, if Jo would have him. “I must go to London at once.” As it was afternoon, he would leave at first light tomorrow.
“May I offer you advice, my lord?” the housekeeper asked.
Sheff wanted to sprint from the room and set his valet to packing, but he remained. “What would that be?”
“If you’ve truly changed, you may want to make that known, so you are no longer…inconvenienced by admirers.” She smiled. “Perhaps you should take an advertisement in the Times?”
It was a ridiculous idea—a joke. But he was tempted. He yearned to shout from the rooftops that he loved Jo and wanted her to be his wife.
That he’d been mooning about the past several weeks instead of recognizing the massive change he’d undergone was infuriating. But the only thing he could do was stop it right now and step into the future he wanted.
He could only hope she might want it too.
“I’ll be leaving for London as soon as the sun is up.” Sheff hastened from the room then, his mind on how to woo Jo.
What if she refused him? She had plenty of reason to, not the least of which was his roguish past behavior. There was also the fact that she didn’t particularly care for all of Society’s aspects, nor had Society treated her very well. How could he ask her to make that her life permanently?
Finally, there was the small reality that she didn’t want to wed, that it was likely she didn’t even love him. She’d only written to him once since he’d left London, and that was to confirm the next stage of their plan.
Sheff faltered, his gait slowing as he entered the staircase hall. No, he wouldn’t hide behind his fear any longer. If she rejected him, he would accept that.
But if he didn’t try, he’d never know if happiness could be theirs.
Chapter 18
Jo was very glad she’d left at dawn that morning because rain had slowed the journey. Still, they’d made it to Froxfield, which was about halfway to Weston. She was now comfortably ensconced in her small room and had just finished a delightful repast.
She was sore from jostling around in the coach—something she had rarely done outside London—and eager to sleep. Not just because she was tired, but because she couldn’t wait for morning so she could be on her way once more.
She tried to settle into bed, but whoever was lodging next door was pacing about. And the floor squeaked. This went on for quite some time. Jo glared at the wall behind the headboard of her bed.
Finally, it stopped.
Smiling to herself, Jo exhaled as she snuggled into the bed. Sleep began to claim her… then she jolted awake at the sound of a chair being dragged across the floor next door.
She pulled the pillow over her head and prayed for quiet.
Sheff bolted up from the chair he’d just moved closer to the fire. He’d wanted it there because his bare feet were cold. However, he was too warm from pacing about.
Energy coursed through him, making the bedchamber feel close. He didn’t want to be there. He wanted to continue toward London. However, the rain had made them stop, and they were only halfway.
He walked from the head of the bed back to the hearth on the opposite side of the room. Then back again. He removed his dressing gown and cast it on the foot of the bed. Clad in just a nightshirt, he returned to the fire.
Before he could throw himself in the chair, there was a knock on his door. Who would be disturbing him at this hour?
He strode to the door and opened it a crack since he had not thought to don his dressing gown.
“Sheff?”
“Jo!”
Was she really there? He recognized her voice, for her face was barely visible in the dim corridor. She could likely see him because he was in his much more illuminated chamber.
“What are you doing here?” he asked incredulously.
