Page 21 of His Perfect Bride
She smoothed her hands down her skirt self-consciously. “I shall work later tonight if necessary?—”
“If Miss Rhodes is behind in her duties,” Jackson said gruffly, “then I’m to blame. You’ll not punish her on my account.”
“I’m not upset.” Augusta’s tone was as polite as always. But was she upset? “There’s no one to blame. All is well.”
Sage bustled past her into the hallway. “I’ll help you get dressed for the evening meal, ma’am.”
Augusta didn’t move. When she finally pivoted, she took Sage in again, this time from the top of her head down to her toes. “Sage is a beautiful woman, would not you agree, Jackson?”
Eight
Augusta was shrewd. She hadn’t asked him about Sage’s beauty without having an ulterior motive.
As Augusta’s question stretched out unanswered, Sage lowered her head, but not before Jackson caught sight of the mortification in her expression.
He muttered a rebuke to himself under his breath. He was making the situation awkward by not answering, likely making her believe that he didn’t think she was beautiful, which wasn’t the truth. But the truth wasn’t any of Augusta’s business.
He spoke the next best thing that came to mind. “Sage is a very capable and sturdy woman.” Once the words were out, he realized he sounded like he was lauding the capabilities of a new mare. “What I mean is that Sage—Miss Rhodes—is intelligent and very organized and has been a great help to me this afternoon.”
One of Augusta’s narrow brows rose into a look upon him that said he’d never get away with hiding anything from her.
“Would you like me to draw a bath, Miss Lennox?” Sage asked quietly. “At the very least, I can lay out your evening gown.”
“That would be fine.” Augusta didn’t take her gaze from Jackson. “Thank you, Miss Rhodes. I shall be up shortly.”
Sage hurried away through the hallway and up the stairs. As soon as her footsteps faded, Augusta faced him with a frown. “Please do not toy with Sage.”
Toy with Sage? A rumble of anger formed low in Jackson’s gut. “You think so little of me that you believe I’m capable of toying with your lady’s maid?”
“I have seen the way you look at her.” Augusta spoke as frankly as always. “The way you were looking at her just now.”
“I’ll not deny that she is fine-looking.” She was more than fine. Every time he saw her, either in passing or even from a distance, he noticed her beauty. It was difficult not to, not when everything about her was so stunning—the unique reddish-blond shade of her hair, the wide blue of her eyes, the full shape of her lips, the slender length of her neck, the lushness of her curves.
“She’s exquisite, and you know it.” Augusta spoke in a low, warning tone. “And I shan’t have you taking advantage of her, Jackson.”
The anger thundered more loudly inside him. “I have never taken advantage of a woman, and I do not plan to start with Miss Rhodes.”
Augusta’s lips pinched together severely for a moment. “You do like her.”
“She was helpful today. That’s all.”
“According to Gustave, she yelled back at you yesterday. What other woman has ever done that?”
None. Not even Augusta, even though he’d probably deserved her yelling at him plenty of times. “And what’s your point exactly?”
“She has the backbone to stand up to you, and you like it.”
Maybe he did like it. He certainly had warranted Sage’s wrath because he had behaved like a child throwing a tantrum—one of her allegations. And he’d also behaved like a shaggy beast—another of her very true accusations.
“Not only do you like her backbone, but you likeher.” Augusta was clearly determined to make him admit to liking Sage. “The more you get to know her and see all her wonderful characteristics the way I do, the harder it will be for you to resist her.”
“I’m not interested in women right now.” He was focused on fixing the bridge. That’s why he’d called off his engagement to Meredith—or at least one of the reasons. “So please, let us drop the matter.”
“Not before you give me your word that you will not do anything untoward and will treat Miss Rhodes with the utmost of respect at all times, even when I’m gone.”
Gone? Augusta made it sound as though she was going on a trip and leaving Sage behind. Or maybe she was merely referring to times like today when she was absent and the two of them were alone together at the house.
“Vow to me, Jackson.”
