Chapter 8

S heff 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.

"She stitched it herself," Min said.

Jo smiled. "How clever of you. I'm afraid my needle skills are abhorrent."

"You may not want to advertise that fact," the duchess said with a slight frown. She sent an irritated glance at Ellis, probably because she didn't like it when Ellis attracted attention. Sheff wondered why Ellis had been included today and assumed it was because the duchess might leave sooner than Min. And while Ellis was not exactly a chaperone, more and more, the duchess was treating her like one since Ellis was not just of spinster age but an actual spinster who did not plan to wed.

Sheff realized that Jo was also an actual spinster since she didn't plan to marry either. He generally thought of spinsters as lonely women who missed out on a great many of life's pleasures, particularly those involving the flesh. He hated thinking of Jo, whom he saw as a passionate woman, not experiencing such things.

Min looked at their mother. "Why, Mama? It's not as if Jo needs to lure a husband."

Sheff stifled a laugh. "No, she does not, for that task has been accomplished. Shall we promenade, my dear?" He offered Jo his arm and gave her his most disarming smile.

She fluttered her lashes prettily, a demure smile teasing her full lips, whose impression he could still feel upon his. "Indeed, we shall." She curled her hand around his arm, and they started along the circular path.

"I didn't recognize you at first," Sheff said, looking over at the breathtaking woman on his arm.

"Because of a new dress?" She made a face. "You've been in Society too long."

He laughed. "My entire life. But if you're implying that I put too much weight on appearances, you may be right. You are a beautiful woman no matter what you are wearing. Or if you're wearing nothing at all, I would imagine."

Her brows rose. "Is that how you flirt with other young ladies?"

Damn, she had him there. "I am horrible. My apologies. I wasn't even trying to flirt. I'm afraid my mouth ran away from my brain."

"I imagine that happens with many parts of your body," she murmured, the edge of her mouth curling up.

Sheff grinned. "You are so bloody delightful. But let us begin again. You look lovely today, Miss Harker."

"I am your betrothed. Surely you can call me Jo." She sent him a sly glance. "And thank you. I do apologize for the expense for this new wardrobe. I fear it will be considerable. Your mother has expensive taste."

Sheff grimaced. "She didn't force her will upon you, did she?"

"She tried, but Min was most helpful in supporting me in my own choices. My mother was also a great help, though she left us at the modiste and did not continue to the cobbler or milliner."

"I didn't realize your mother went along. How was that?"

"There were tense moments, and apparently, my mother and yours are acquainted, though I don't know the details. My mother said it wasn't an interesting story."

Sheff stared at her. "Why do I not believe that? You must share it with me if you find out."

"I will." She clasped him more tightly and pressed herself against his side as they walked.

His body instantly reacted, desire pooling in his core. "What are you doing?"

"Pretending we are in love. Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing?"

Yes, but he was not supposed to respond in this way. As if nothing about this was fake. The stirring of his body certainly wasn't.

Sheff coughed. "Er, yes." He bent his head toward her and inhaled her spice and floral scent. A deep yearning burned inside him. She was utterly intoxicating in every way.

"Why does your mother not pay attention to Ellis?" Jo asked. "I wondered why Ellis didn't join us on Monday for the wardrobe shopping."

"My mother doesn't particularly care for Ellis."

Jo gaped at him. "How can that be? Ellis is lovely."

"I agree, but my father insisted my mother accept her into the household when she was orphaned, and my mother never warmed up to her." Sheff contemplated whether he ought to reveal the truth and decided he could. He trusted Jo. "For, what seems to me, obvious reasons." He gave her a meaningful look, but she only blinked at him.

She lifted a shoulder. "It is not obvious to me."

"Why would my father want to take in an orphan? She is the daughter of an old family friend, but no one I was acquainted with while I was growing up."

"You think your father lied?"

"I think my father has probably sired a number of illegitimate children, and it's likely that Ellis is one of them. He felt badly when she was orphaned and brought her into the household, where she has been a daily reminder to my mother of her husband's infidelity."

Jo shook her head. "I had no idea." She looked over at Sheff, her eyes dark with concern. "Does Ellis know?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. It's never discussed. I can't see how she doesn't at least suspect it."

" Nobody ever talks about it? Not even Min and Ellis?" Jo asked. "They seem so close, like sisters."

"Perhaps they do discuss it. I wouldn't be privy to their private conversations."

"How awful for Ellis—to live with someone who detests your presence."

Sheff thought it went deeper than that. His mother didn't just despise Ellis's presence. She seemed to loathe her as a person, which Sheff usually did a good job of ignoring. However, this conversation was making him uncomfortable with his own complicity in how his mother treated Ellis. On the other hand, it wasn't as if she asked for her husband to be unfaithful. All the time. And with any number of offspring as a result.

Still, none of that was Ellis's fault.

A shriek rent the air, followed by several shouts. Sheff turned his head to see a horse thundering toward them. The beast was clearly out of the rider's control. People ran, but no one was in the direct path of the animal—except them.

Sheff turned toward Jo and gathered her in his arms. He did so awkwardly, but he reacted with urgency and fear. Launching himself forward, he did his best to propel them out of the way. That meant he was not entirely in control of his movements, and while the velocity of his action took them away, it also sent them crashing to the grass off the path. He was able to twist and position himself mostly underneath her. He was certain his shoulder and back would be quite sore tomorrow.

He still held her tightly against him as he felt the hard ground beneath him. His gaze found hers. "Are you all right?"

"I'm not the one who slammed into the ground." She brushed her hand along his temple and cheek. "Are you all right?"

"Ask me tomorrow." He smiled at her, glad he'd managed to move them both out of the way.

"I shall," she said softly, her gaze burning into his.

Sheff was all too aware of her body pressed to his, of how her back and…backside felt in his grasp. He hadn't meant to grab her posterior. He hadn't thought about body parts at all when he'd sprung into action. But he really ought to move his hand now. He should help her up.

He did neither of those things. At least not immediately. For one lingering moment, he enjoyed having Jo in his arms.

"All right there, Shefford?" someone asked, jolting him back to reality and the impropriety of their position. Though, surely it was forgivable since he was merely trying to save them from disaster.

Moving his hand from her backside, Sheff nodded. "Fine, thank you."

Jo shifted as she pushed herself up. Her pelvis pressed against his for the barest moment, and Sheff wondered if he would hurt in more ways than one. He reacted instantly to her, his cock lengthening.

Dammit.

The person who'd inquired after him helped Jo to stand, then pulled Sheff to his feet. "Quick thinking there," the man said, clapping Sheff's shoulder.

"What happened?" Jo asked.

"Silly chit lost control of her mount over on Rotten Row. Evan Price has saved the day, however. He actually grabbed the horse's bridle and managed to pull himself onto the animal behind the young woman. It was astonishing to behold!"

Sheff had seen Price ride and credited him as a fine horseman, but this was another level of skill. "I'm sorry I missed seeing that."

"Glad you're all right," the man said before taking himself off in the direction of a crowd of people.

In the distance, Sheff saw the horse who'd nearly mowed them down, as well as two figures, one of whom—Price, evidently—was walking the horse. "Remarkable," he murmured.

"I'm also sorry we missed that," Jo said. "Gwen will be shocked to hear of her brother's actions."

"He does enjoy daring pursuits, but what the man described him doing sounded dangerous. I'm glad he isn't injured."

"Unlike you," she said with a smile, but there was concern in her eyes. "I hope you aren't suffering later. Turn. I think you have grass stuck to your coat."

Sheff pivoted, displaying his back to her. She brushed her gloved hand over his shoulders and back, moving down to the tails. He was surprised she didn't stop, then was titillated once more as she stroked his backside in her efforts to dispel the grass.

Arousal struck once more, and Sheff turned again, not caring if she was finished. "Thank you."

While he would have liked nothing more than for her to fully caress his backside, preferably without clothing, he didn't want to draw more attention than they likely already had. He could only hope that people had been paying attention to the runaway horse instead of him and Jo tangled together.

Rather than complete their circuit of the ring, Sheff located Lady Droxford—she was still with Min and Ellis—and started toward them. His mother was nowhere to be seen.

The three ladies were looking toward the horse, which Evan had led to a small group of people, a few of whom had dismounted from their own horses. Presumably, they were from the young woman's party.

"Did you see that?" the baroness asked, her eyes round.

"We were nearly trampled," Jo replied wryly. "Sheff had to tackle me to the ground to avoid being run down, though he was kind enough to take the brunt of the fall."

"Good heavens!" the baroness declared. "Are you both all right?"

"I suspect I may be sore tomorrow." Sheff smiled despite the fact that he was actually in pain now. His shoulder had taken much of the impact.

"I do hope you're all right," Jo said, her brow creasing. She touched his arm. "Seek a physician if you are in too much pain."

"I will." He rather enjoyed her concern. What's more, he didn't think she was pretending.

"Go home and take a warm bath," Min said. "Let Spears dote on you." She referred to his valet.

"That would give him great satisfaction." What would give Sheff satisfaction, however, would be to take Jo home with him into the bath. He'd soap her body, then explore every contour of her flesh.

Dammit, he was growing hard again. Before he rushed off, which he was highly inclined to do, he made himself take Jo's hand. They needed to play their parts, and she'd done such a fine job of appearing to be enamored. He ought to do the same.

Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist, managing to find her bare flesh above the edge of her glove. He ought not to have done that, for it probably violated their contract. But he could not bring himself to regret doing so. Not when he had felt the pulse of her heart against his lips. It beat strong and sure, if perhaps a trifle fast.

He met her gaze. "Until Saturday, my love."

"Please send word tomorrow with how you are feeling."

Nodding, he released her hand, then bade good day to the others before striding away from them, grateful for the cool breeze dampening his ardor. He needed to bring that under control. He could not spend the next several weeks pining after his faux betrothed.

"Did you see how they were so indecently entwined on the ground?"

The question came from a pair of women standing off the path, their backs to where Sheff was walking by. He froze, knowing they were talking about him and Jo.

"It's not surprising, though, is it? Shefford is a horrible rogue, and that Harker chit is no better than a common strumpet."

"That is why he's marrying her," the first voice replied. "She is lowborn enough to suffer his rakish behavior. Honestly, it's kind of him not to expect someone of his own class to deal with his appetites. A woman such as Miss Harker is the right match."

"I suppose you're right. If he married someone appropriate, she'd be as miserable as his poor mother."

"Well, at least she'd be a duchess. One can endure a great deal for such a lofty position. I'm sure that is what enticed Miss Harker to lure Shefford into her bed. Not that it took much," the woman added with a deep chuckle. The other woman joined her in laughing.

Shefford began walking again, his stomach roiling. He couldn't listen to another word. In truth, he'd wanted to rage at them for speaking about Jo that way, but what good would it have done? People saw her—and him—as they wanted to, not as they truly were.

Except, wasn't he a rogue? His behavior was the very definition of rakish. And then to hear them mention his mother and her suffering… Sheff was reminded of his legacy, of who he was and would always be. They were right. He wasn't worthy of an "appropriate" young lady, and that included Jo. She was perhaps the most appropriate woman he'd ever met.

Though, appropriate didn't begin to encompass everything that Jo was: fiercely intelligent, incredibly capable, passionately independent. Those were the traits that came to mind when he thought of her. Which was far more often than he should, considering their entanglement was entirely fake.

Sheff didn't think it was entirely fake anymore. At least, not for him.

And that was a problem.