“Oh!” Jo immediately turned her back. “I did not mean to interrupt.”
“It’s quite all right.” Ellis found Roman’s coat and thrust it at him.
“I take it the two of you have made up?” Jo asked.
“We’re to be married,” Ellis replied.
Jo gasped and glanced over her shoulder at them. “Is it all right if I turn back around?”
“Yes, we’re decent.” Ellis smirked at Roman’s groin. “Mostly.”
He gave her a roguish smile as he donned his coat.
“Then I’m going to hug you.” Jo rushed over and embraced Ellis, and they both laughed.
Jo stepped back and beamed at them. “When will you wed?”
Ellis watched Roman as he finally stood. He appeared to have recovered himself, which was unfortunate. However, Ellis was certain she could return him to his former state with little effort.
He lifted his shoulder. “As soon as possible. I’ll obtain a special license.”
“Thank goodness,” Ellis said, causing Jo to laugh again.
“This is wonderful news,” Jo said. “I’m going to plan a dinner to celebrate. And a wedding breakfast.”
“That is very kind of you,” Roman said.
“Ellis is my sister,” Jo replied simply, as if that explained her generosity, but Ellis knew that blood ties did not guarantee love or affection. “I love her very much, and I’m beside myself with joy.”
“One thing we did not discuss was the Duchess.” Roman looked at Ellis. “What are we going to do about her threats?”
“We got carried away before I could explain that,” Ellis said. “When she was here earlier, Sheff said he would pay for her to leave us alone. He’s asked his solicitor to draw up a contract so she can’t ask for more money. After that, he will give her a set sum, and we will be rid of her at last.”
Roman appeared relieved. “An excellent plan.”
Ellis went on. “I do think we should put it out through Mr. Lacey that publishers should not take any inquiries from the Duchess of Henlow about a memoir or from anyone claiming to write an exposing tale about the Henlow family. We must warn them that such a manuscript is riddled with lies, and that anyone who publishes it will be sued for libel.”
“What an excellent solution,” Roman remarked with an admiring glint in his eyes. “I’m sorry I missed that confrontation earlier today.”
“We’re sorry we missed your confrontation with my father,” Jo replied. “I still can’t quite believe he said he’s going to try not to philander, but I suppose we’ll see if that actually happens.”
“He did say it would be very hard.” Roman frowned slightly. “It sounds as if he has true difficulty in denying his baser needs.”
Jo clapped her hands together. “I’m going to go tell Sheff the news, if you don’t mind.”
“Please do,” Ellis replied with a smile.
“I’ll make sure no one comes in here for the next hour or so,” Jo said as she went to the door.
“Ten or fifteen minutes is probably fine,” Roman called after her. As the door closed, he pulled Ellis into his arms, and she laughed softly.
“How quickly can you get that special license?” she asked.
“Tomorrow. We can marry the following day.”
“That doesn’t give us much time to plan the wedding breakfast.”
He raised a brow at her. “Do you want more time?”
