Page 4 of The Rake I Wished For
He tipped his head down with a knowing look, as if to say,Please, Jo. This is me you’re talking to.
She sighed. “Oh, all right. I might have a plan.”
“Plan?” he echoed dubiously.
She pursed her lips before admitting, “Plans.”
He hitched up both brows, but she clamped her lips together and met his expectant stare with silence.
He shook his head and gave his head a little shake. “All right, fine. Keep your secrets. Just promise me you’re not going to get into any trouble.”
She didn’t have to feign offense this time. “John Harlow, I resent that. When have I ever caused trouble?”
He pretended to study her with narrowed eyes, but she saw his lips twitch. “Very well.” He reached out and moved a pawn and—
“Aha!” She grinned in triumph. She’d laid a trap, and he’d fallen right into it.
He fell back in his seat with a groan just as Liam and Rose entered the parlor.
“There you are!” Rose smiled brightly. “We wondered where you ran off to. The other guests will be arriving soon.”
Liam eyed the chess board. “Should’ve known you’d be in here.”
“Liam, I’m afraid to tell you that you were the wrong sibling to enter the military,” Harlow said, gesturing to the board with a sweep of his hand. “Your sister is a terrifying tactician. I’m certain we never would’ve lost the colonies if Jo here was at the helm.”
Jocelyn grinned as Rose giggled.
But Liam was not to be distracted. He folded his arms and stared at Jocelyn. It was his “big brother” look and she couldn’t resist sharing a smirk with Harlow.
They loved to mock Liam when he took himself too seriously, and Liam was never more serious than when he was playing big brother. “Jocelyn, are you certain you wish to stay in London for three more weeks?”
“I’m certain,” Jocelyn said, repeating herself for the third time. “You and Rose should have some time at the manor together before you’re overwhelmed with guests.”
“But you’re not a guest, you’re our sister,” Rose argued, her eyes wide and filled with such sweetness, it made Jocelyn warm all over.
She’d always wanted a sister, and she couldn’t have asked for a more kindhearted one than Rose.
“I know I’m welcome,” Jocelyn said to reassure her. “But I’d also like to keep Jane company, for at least a little while. She’s not at all happy about being left to rot, as she puts it.”
“Oh dear, I do wish your friend was allowed to come with you to stay with us,” Rose murmured.
As did Jocelyn. But Jane’s parents had forbidden her to travel this summer. Not home where they were currently living, and not to stay with her friends either. It seemed they didn’t trust their daughter in the slightest.
But Liam and Rose wereherguardians and they trusted her…perhaps too much. The thought had her biting her inner lip to hold back a nervous laugh.
Harlow wasn’t wrong. She did have plans for her time in London. And without Liam watching her like a mother hen at every social gathering, she might just get her wish.
Liam was still frowning. “But—”
“You’ve nothing to worry about, old chum,” Harlow cut in.
Jocelyn shot Harlow a grateful look.
Liam had turned his serious big-brother look on Harlow. “You’ll look after her?”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes, making Rose laugh softly. The men ignored them both.
“Of course,” Harlow said.
