Page 35 of A Wish Upon an Earl
“They do,” Ash replied.
But Jack had gone quite still.“Sir Henry, were you out on the terrace the entire time I was with Sarah?Did you see her injury?”
“I was,” Sir Henry nodded.“And don’t worry, I won’t mention that Sarah was lain abed because you knocked her with your lance.”
“Thank you,” he said, stepping closer to the other man.“But you saw the whole thing from start to finish?”Relief and a bit of excitement bubbled up inside him.Sir Henry could prove that he’d never been alone with Lady Victoria.Now when he pursued Sarah, she’d know, without a shadow of a doubt, that it was because of his affection.
“I did,” the other man answered.“And if you don’t mind me saying so, it’s good you’re practicing, though it does beg the question why.”
“I thought to reveal my identity in the play tomorrow.”
“My play!”Sir Henry chortled.“What a wonderful surprise for the guests.How sporting of you to solve the mystery for them before they leave.Though I dare say it will provide you with a bit of embarrassment.”
Jack nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.“A small price to pay to win the affection of a certain lady.”
Sir Henry tilted his head back, his smile growing gentler.“This has been the most marvelous of parties.And while I am thrilled to have solved the mystery, if you’d permit me to say, I can tell the party that it was our plan all along to create a mystery that we solved by the end of the event, making the whole Bumbling Knight incident seem intentional when it actually wasn’t.I might be able to save you some embarrassment.”
Jack blinked.“That is a very kind thought, Sir Henry, thank you.But I don’t mind the bit of fun that will be poked at me, and after what I’ve done to Sarah, I think it right that I suffer it.”
Sir Henry shook his head, his grin growing even wider.“Young love.”He chuckled.“That is wonderful and I look forward to tomorrow night.”
Jack’s stomach twisted.He hoped it was a happy ending that Sir Henry got to witness and that their little drama didn’t end in tragedy.
Because he was about to declare his feelings in front of the entire party.Would Sarah reject him again?There was only one way to find out.
* * *
Sarah greetedguests as they assembled before dinner, her stomach twisted into knots.
Once again, Jack was nowhere to be seen.
Aubrey had to have been wrong.
If he had feelings for her, he would not be avoiding her as he had been all day today.
Then again, he’d kissed her twice.
Once in front of everyone as part of rehearsal.But before that too, when they’d been hidden.
Had he only kissed her like that to help prepare her for the play?
She touched her lips with the tips of her fingers.He’d set off a riot of feelings inside her.
With a shake of her head, she continued through the evening, doing her best to be hostess even if her thoughts were far away.
Camilla stepped up next to her.“Have you seen Ash?”
Sarah started in surprise.She’d been so consumed with thoughts of Jack that she’d forgotten about her brother entirely.The very reason she’d planned this house party.“My goodness.No.I haven’t.”
Camilla frowned.“Odd.”
“Agreed.”She turned to her friend and future sister-in-law.“When was the last time you saw him?”
Camilla cocked her head with a frown.“He’s been occupied much of the day.”
In the middle of a house party?“Did something happen with the brewery that required his attention?”
“No.”Camilla shook her head.“I’ve checked.”
