of the nonexistent book which was decidedly not the reason for her recent lack of sleep. While Lady Helena was a newer acquaintance, Callie knew Jo far too well, and Jo was more than aware her story would collapse like a house of sticks with too much prodding from her friend.
She was not ready to reveal the nature of her agreement with Decker to Callie yet. Not to anyone. Keeping it a secret between herself and Decker made it seem somehow more intimate and potent, all at once. Besides, she was certain Callie would deliver a stern sermon on all the reasons why Jo should not trust Decker. Jo had already told herself as much too many times to count. The man’s charm had blasted right through any impediment, including Jo’s good sense.
“Surely your father will see to reason and not force you into marrying Lord Hamish,” Callie was saying to Lady Helena now, frowning mightily. “Can he not see you would be miserable with the man? You deserve to find a husband who will appreciate your wit, a husband who will not dull your shine but will seek to enhance it. Lord Hamish deserves a bride who is as salty, crusty, and sleep-inducing as he is.”
“That is rather harsh of you, Callie,” Jo interjected dryly. “I think Lord Hamish deserves to marry one of his own kind. An eel.”
Lady Helena laughed wryly. “I do wish Papa shared your opinion of the man. But I am afraid my father is more concerned with his political connections and the state of his coffers than he has ever been about his daughter. I am nothing but an impediment to him, unless I can prove myself useful. As he has told me on numerous occasions, a daughter’s worth is in the credit she does her father.”
“Forgive me for being blunt, but your father ought to be tossed out a window,” Callie said. “You are not a cow to be sold at the market. You are your own person, and your worth is immeasurable.”
“There must be some way to ruin your father’s plans,” Jo suggested, grateful to have something to think about other than Decker for the time being.
“I have begged and pleaded, and so have my brother and mother.” Lady Helena rolled her lips inward, as if suppressing her emotions.
“You need to ruin your reputation,” Callie said. “Lord Hamish detests impropriety. His reputation is spotless. If you cause as many scandals as possible, he will no longer want you as his wife.”
“That is the perfect plan,” Jo agreed. “You need someone who is wicked. A rogue of the worst order who will agree to be caught in a compromising position with you.”
“That could work,” Lady Helena said slowly, seemingly turning the notion over in her mind. “It is something I have considered, but I have never had the daring to try it. Nor had I an inkling of who I ought to enlist for the task. My social circle is frightfully small.”
“I have just the man in mind.” Callie grinned, her voice triumphant. “Mr. Elijah Decker, Lord Sinclair’s good friend.”
“No!” Jo blurted with more vehemence than necessary.
Two pairs of eyes shot to her.
Drat. You are not acting suspiciously at all, Josephine.
“Why not?” Callie continued. “He is the perfect gentleman for such a job. He would not think twice about ruining a lady at her request if it is for the noble good. His reputation is already quite dark and I—”
“No,” Jo repeated, interrupting though she knew she should hold her tongue. But the thought of beautiful, golden-haired Lady Helena and Decker together was enough to split her in two. “That would never do. Mr. Decker is…his reputation is too outré, certainly. He is too much of a rogue. Lady Helena needs someone else.”
Someone who was not Decker.
Both Callie and Lady Helena were eying her strangely.
“You only need to ruin your reputation enough so that Lord Hamish will not want to marry you,” she added for good measure. “You do not want to damage yourself for any future prospects. What if you wish to marry someone else someday, have children of your own?”
“Improper behavior with Mr. Decker would not necessarily ruin Lady Helena for all others,” Callie countered. “Besides, what if she and Mr. Decker like each other? What if they fall in love and wish to marry? I do adore matchmaking. You know, I hold myself responsible for my brother marrying his wife. If I had not thrown them together as often as