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Chapter 22
Despite the rather seductive offer of staying on the floor of the carriage and succumbing to a passionate embrace so as not to disappoint the footman, Jo insisted on disembarking.
When they stood on the pavement before Richard’s glittering townhouse, she hesitated.
She wasn’t ready to start spending nights with Richard.
Yes, she wanted to. More than she was willing to admit to herself. But doubts assailed her, her old fears returning.
They weren’t married yet. Things could change in a blink of an eye.
“I think I should go home,” she said.
Richard took her by the hands. “This is your home now.”
She shook her head and tried to smile coquettishly, even though her lips trembled. “Not yet.”
He looked at her, a scowl on his face, then he smoothed his features. “Very well. But you owe me a kiss.”
She raised a brow. “I owe you a kiss?”
“Yes. Quite so. I proposed to you with all my ardor and in return, I require a kiss.”
Jo looked around. It wasn’t busy, but people were about. She narrowed her eyes. “Here?”
Richard just shrugged. “Here. Or you can come in. Of course, if you do, you’ll have to stay for tea. And then—”
Jo laughed, stood on her tiptoes, and quickly planted a kiss on his lips. Before she could draw away, he bracketed her face with his palms, and slowly swept his tongue over her lips.
He let go of her suddenly. So suddenly, she stumbled and had to grab his arm to steady herself.
Richard caressed her cheek with a self-indulgent smile. “You are the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.” His eyes darkened as he leaned forward. “Can’t wait to taste so much more of you.”
* * *
Richard’s footman was no longer hiding—at least, not from Jo. He walked a few paces behind Jo when she walked and sat in the audience during the rehearsals.
The theater manager did not protest, which made Jo realize that Richard had asked for his permission.
What had he said to him? Did he say he was watching out for his mistress or his future bride?
Back when Garret had started following Jo, Richard had been betrothed to another.
All of this, this rich man’s whim, made Jo uncomfortable. And then, of course, there was the fact that everyone would soon know about her relationship with Richard.
She had never wanted to be treated differently than others. She knew that being a viscountess—although creating a huge scandal—would probably open doors for her in her career. People would start kneeling in front of her, or at least curtsying and bowing low. Her husband’s influence would allow her to sell her plays…
She would be the next Mary Robinson. The woman everyone assumed was popular only because of her status as the king’s mistress. It pained Jo that she would have to give up her autonomy to marry Richard. But she wasn’t going to let her career ruin her happiness, either.
She wasn’t a fool.
During a break in the rehearsal, Jo went up to Selena to share the news with her friend, but also to check on her.
Selena seemed healthier and happier than ever before. The pink had returned to her cheeks, and she was laughing and smiling.
Mick didn’t even spare her a glance, while he was shooting daggers at Jo. Which was a good thing, she supposed.
Let the man be angry at her and forget Selena’s existence. That would be better for everyone.
