Page 65 of Married to the Duke By Midnight

“I suppose so. I will look into it at some point…”

“Oh, there is no need to,” Jo interrupted him. “You have enough responsibility as it is. I will take charge of this.”

Robert sent her a relieved smile. Glad she had picked up on the fact that he had plenty of responsibilities as it was, even though he would never complain about it. His stepfather had taught him that it was a great privilege as well as a great responsibility.

His man of business could help Jo find an architect and construction workers fit for the task. Robert was not certain how it would look if the Duchess of Riddlesmarsh began writing to strangers. Even with the intent to employ them.

“So, you are excited about this?” he asked.

It had slipped his mind to tell her until they were standing in front of the Royal Pavilion. He was surprised that his mother had not mentioned it, but she had probably thought that Jo had enough new things to learn as it was. She did not need to add a gardening project as well.

“I am, yes,” Jo told him firmly, squeezing his arm yet again. “Although I am still not certain whether you are simply making the tradition up or not… But now I want to create the pavilion, and you must pay for it since it was your foolish joke.”

“Not a joke. It is an actual family tradition, but I would be happy to pay for it.”

Robert was wondering whether it was too soon to suggest that they headed back to the house, when he spotted three women, he knew very well, coming toward them. He sighed inwardly at the beaming smile on his mother’s face, the tentative one on Philomena’s, and the slight catlike smirk on Maggie’s. He guessed he would not be taking Jo back to the house any time soon.

“Riddlesmarsh!” his mother exclaimed. It was what she called him when they were in public.

Even though he had gotten used to hearing the title from everyone else, it still made him think she was talking about his father.

“Duchess,” she greeted Jo affectionately and kissed both her cheeks. “We have been shopping,” she announced and gestured to an overburdened footman behind them. “We were just headed for refreshments when we spotted you.”

“Well, we would like to join you, won’t we, Robert?” Jo asked and looked at him.

He liked that she always called him by his given name, even in public, even if it was not the done thing.

“Riddles!” someone called behind them and Robert cursed the size of the town and the fact that everyone was there.

He turned to see Thornston stroll toward them down the street. Robert had not seen him since the day he had feared Jo had been trapped under the fallen cliff. Which was… ten days ago, he realized.

Thornston slapped his back affectionately in greeting, then greeted the rest of his family.

“It’s been an age,” Thornston drawled. “Are you certain you can handle the sun? I assume you have spent a lot of your time indoors.” He grinned, which made Jo color.

“Why don’t we go to Montrose’s and I will join you later?” Robert asked Jo, who hurriedly agreed.

They said a quick goodbye to everyone, and Robert practically dragged his friend up the street.

“Don’t embarrass my wife,” he told his friend as soon as they were out of earshot.

“But you have, haven’t you?” Thornston drawled as he straightened his clothes. Ever the dandy. “I recognize the look of a man who gets what he needs. And then some.”

He laughed at his own joke.

Robert rolled his eyes at him but could not contain his smile.

“Tease me all you want, but not in front of Jo…” he said in a lower voice.

Thornston sobered a bit.

“Well, send my apologies to the lovely Josephine. I hope she knows I mean nothing by it. But if you have to assure her I don’t, please tell her so. Or I could come by and do so myself,” Thornston teased him.

When Robert only shook his head and sent him a slightly disbelieving smile, Thornston stopped in his tracks.

“What?” he said and felt Robert’s forehead, almost knocking off his beaver hat.

Robert caught it with a hand on top of it and stepped away from his friend.