Page 17 of A Wish Upon an Earl
Pain far worse than her ankle radiated out from her heart.How would she watch that all happen and not share her feelings?She’d just risk another rejection from him.
But she also didn’t have it in her to say no to him now.Sarah made a habit of protecting those she cared for, and Jack, even after everything, was counted among those people.“We can’t wear matching costumes to parties.People will talk.”
He chuckled as he returned to his seat.“Coordinated, then?”
She gave him the eye, one of her lids closing into a slit as she pretended to consider his words while still glaring.“I told you.I’ve grown out of such nonsense.”
“That’s too bad,” he fired back, returning her one-eyed glare.“I liked that nonsense.”
Her stomach did a funny roll.
He didn’t mean that.No one had liked her theatrical tendencies.Not even her family.They’d only indulged her because they loved the rest of her.
Even Ash had chastised her in his way after Jack had broken her heart.When she’d told him of the incident, he’d made some comment about toning down her behavior and developing a stiff upper lip.
She let out a small, rather unladylike snort.“You liked me going about spouting Shakespeare, dressing in costume, and telling you stories and?—”
“Yes,” he interrupted.“I did.”
She didn’t believe him.
It was that simple.Or perhaps it wasn’t.Because a part of her really wanted to.While she embraced her role as Ash’s support system, there were times when she missed her old self.Those were the moments she slipped back into the person who went about dreaming up stories and then made wishes on maypoles.
“Well, thank you for that.”She looked over at the chair.“Does that contraption remind you of a chariot?”
He looked over at the chair.“Please don’t tell me you want to rig it to a horse.”
A grin played at her lips.But as quickly as it appeared, it fell away again.“See.I knew you didn’t like my wild imaginings.”
“I love them, but as I’ve already injured you once this visit, I’d like not to be responsible for any more bodily harm.You’re far too lovely to?—”
“Nonsense.”The compliment made her start.Lovely?He was only being kind.Wasn’t he?
“Sarah.”His voice dropped several notches, the sound whispering over her skin, causing her to tingle in the strangest way.“You know that you are beautiful, don’t you?”
Her mouth opened to speak but then closed again, heat filling her cheeks.How she’d longed to hear those words, and from him, no less.
But she had to keep her head.This was not a romantic fantasy, and he was not going to declare his love in the next breath.He was like Ash, her brother, telling her that she was wonderful.It came from a place of platonic affection.He’d outright told her he’d considered her a sister.“Poppycock.”Then she looked away before he could respond.“Can you believe that I’ve grown tired already?Do you think that you could escort me back to my room?”
“Of course,” he answered as he rose again.But rather than aid her in rising, he slid his arms under her body and lifted her off the settee.Her arms automatically wrapped around his neck, his heat and strength seeming to seep into her very bones until he had her settled in the chair.“I’ll leave this contraption in your room so that the footmen might move you about the house.”
She shook her head.They had a house full of guests, all of whom had no idea she’d been injured.While it was completely acceptable for a woman to faint or suffer from headaches, to admit she’d fallen in her dress—she’d be viewed as graceless and unladylike.“Can’t you just see me being wheeled around the house party?”
He pushed her out the doors toward her room, Rebecca following once again.Jack leaned down, whispering close to her ear, “I can.”
“Don’t be silly.Can you just imagine the talk?”
He chuckled.“It won’t be any worse than when they figure out who the bumbling knight was.That’s what they’re calling me.Not that they know it was me yet.It’s all a great mystery, apparently.”
“They can’t know,” she whispered, looking back at him, her eyes wide with alarm.
“I can stand the scandal.There are far more important things in life.”
She looked up at him, lost for words.She’d sworn never to play the fool again, so how did he make the idea sound tempting?
Then she shook off the notion.With Ash and Camilla marrying, Sarah had to think about her own future.She’d not ruin her prospects now.How would that help her brother?“Not all of us are earls.My reputation couldn’t tolerate such a blunder.”
“Hang your reputation and what the rest of them think.I think you should be yourself.”
