Page 22 of A Wish Upon an Earl
“No,” Jack answered with a wince.Ash had been too busy, or perhaps he just didn’t want to see Jack.But he’d been unable to speak with his friend much at all.
“Max.Mabel.You’d better head on back,” Sarah said as she made a shooing motion with her hands.“He must be worried if he’s calling you.”
But neither dog listened, and one—Jack couldn’t tell which, they looked exactly the same to him—attempted to climb up into Sarah’s lap.
“Mabel,” Ash called again.Louder and closer.
“Will he mind that you’re out here?”Aubrey asked.“You’re perfectly chaperoned and you’ve stayed off the ankle.”
Sarah gave up trying to sway the dog and allowed it to climb into the chair with her.“Normally, I would say that he would not mind in the least.”
Aubrey stared off in the direction of Ash’s voice.“My impression of your brother was that he was always very calm and supportive.”
“He is.Normally.He’s been a bit…off the past few days.”Sarah nibbled her lip as she stared into the darkness.
Jack grimaced.Sarah had noticed too.
“Does he not like parties?”Drew asked.“I’m not overly fond of them myself.”Then he bent down and began petting the larger of the two dogs.“Now Max here, I’m quite taken with.He might not be a hunting dog, but he’s a solid chap.”
Ash emerged out of the darkness, but even in the dim light, Jack noted his friend’s frown.“What’s going on out here?”
Sarah waved to her brother around the dog now planted in her lap.“They came to rescue me.”
Ash’s grimace deepened.“Do you think it wise that you’re out here?”
“Why not?”Sarah asked, attempting to straighten.The dog made it nearly impossible.
“We’re trying to keep your injury quiet,” Ash returned, joining the group.“What if someone sees you?”Then he outright glared at Jack, his arms crossing, his frown deepening.Jack didn’t have to think very hard to know what was upsetting Ash.
Jack was the problem.
“Her lungs needed a bit of fresh air,” Jack replied.If Ash wanted to be angry at someone, it could be him.He needn’t snip at Sarah.
Ash’s gaze cut to Jack’s.“May I have a word?”
Jack gave a single nod as he stepped away from Sarah’s chair.Ash turned and started walking the way they’d come, leaving little choice but for Jack to follow.
8
Jack stopped in front of Ash, his back straight.He hadn’t done anything wrong.Well, not too wrong.
But as Ash turned back to him, his face was set in hard lines.“I’ve given you quite a bit of rope because we’re friends.”
Jack stared back.“Forgive me, but I don’t follow.”
“Sarah.”Jack pointed, jabbing his finger toward Sarah’s chair.
Jack’s mouth twitched, but he waited silently for Ash to go on.
In response, Ash ran a hand through his hair.He stopped and started several times.Then finally he spoke.“You’re not good for her.”
Jack felt as though he’d been physically hit in the chest.“I see.”It wasn’t that he blamed Ash.He’d thought as much himself, but the words still hurt.
Ash scrubbed his scalp.“After that cupid incident at Eton…” His friend paused again.“I’ve never seen her so heartbroken.”
His own chest ached and his shoulders drooped.“I know.”
“And I know you came here to apologize, and I thought it was a good idea.But you don’t seem content with just making amends.If you hurt her again…”
