Page 106

“What is it?” Richard asked, then unceremoniously snatched the letter from her slack fingers. He read it while scowling, then looked at Jo. “They want to buy your plays,” he said in astonishment, although he was more astonished by her reaction than anything else. Why was she silent? Why did she seem shocked?

“They want to buy my plays,” she repeated uselessly.

“Why do you look confused? Didn’t you want this?”

Jo sputtered a laugh. “I can’t believe this is real.”

Richard’s features cleared, and an understanding smile lined his lips. “You are extremely talented, my dear. Of course, they want to buy your plays.”

Jo shook her head. “The Covent Garden Theatre wants my plays,” she repeated with a giggle. “One of the biggest theaters in the country wants to meet with me because they enjoyed my words! This is unbelievable. I was convinced they would refuse.”

“Well, they say they want to meet with you at your earliest convenience,” Richard said as he reread the letter one more time. “Does that mean we are not going to the Gilded Rose today and rather we are leaving straight for Covent Garden?”

“Yes,” Jo said absently, and then her face snapped to look at Richard. “We?”

Richard blinked innocently. “Um… did you think you were going alone?”

“Yes.”

Richard laughed with little humor. Did she truly believe that he would let her out of his sight until the scandal blew over? “Sometimes you astound me, my wife. You are not leaving this house without me until further notice.”

“Am I your prisoner or your wife?” She raised her brow haughtily. She was already settling into her role as a viscountess.

“After what the scandal sheets printed about you, I am not letting you leave the house alone. Why did you think I got out of bed in the dead of the morning?” He gestured to his morning attire, his shaven jaw.

Jo shrugged. “To eat?”

Richard scrubbed his face. “Dear, either I am accompanying you or you are not going anywhere.”

Jo gritted her teeth, while Richard just watched her calmly, his features set. “I have Garret. Besides, if you insist on accompanying me everywhere, when will you have time for your own work?”

“I shall make do,” he grumbled.

Jo raised her eyes heavenward. Then she looked at Richard and a smile broke on her face. “Damn you, husband. I can’t even stay angry with you. Very well, you can come with me. But you shall wait outside.”

Richard’s brows furrowed.

“Outside of the theater manager’s office. Please? I don’t want you to influence him. I want to be the one discussing my business. Not you.”

She was an independent creature. He knew it when he married her. It was one of the things he loved about her. He heaved a sigh. “You do know that I can make everything easier for you.”

“Yes, all the while annoying me to no end.”

Richard chuckled and shook his head. “Do you know that the only reason you’re getting your way right now is because my heart melts every time you call me husband?”

“Thank you, husband,” Jo said coquettishly, then leaned across the table and planted a kiss on his lips.

Richard laughed and pulled Jo onto his lap. “Now that is a reaction worth allowing you everything for.”

* * *

Jo had been to the Covent Garden Theatre before. Of course, she had. It had been her dream to perform on this stage for over a decade. It was a majestic place full of wonder.

She was escorted through the enchanting place and then led into the office of the manager, actor, and owner of the theater, Mr. Harry Thomson.

Richard patiently stayed behind as he’d promised. And although Jo hadn’t been all too excited for his escort before, now she was glad that he was by her side.

Jo took a deep breath as she walked farther into the small but cozy room filled with bookshelves. The tiny desk stood across from the door and a rather handsome, middle-aged man sat there, buried by mountains of papers. He stood to greet Jo, and she had to crane her neck back to look at him, so tall he was. He had blond hair heavily mixed with silver strands, and his face was filled with laugh lines. Jo stared at him as he helped her into the chair, not believing she was in the same room with the infamous Harry Thomson, one of the most popular dramatic actors of his time.