Page 4 of A Wish Upon an Earl
He’d laughed too.Because he was frustrated with her silliness and, he realized later, he didn’t want things to change.He liked being a member of their family.“Silly Sarah.”He’d jeered.“Don’t you know I’m far too mature for such a juvenile display of affection?”
He’d seen it in her eyes.That he’d crushed her.The sparkle left them.He hadn’t even known that was possible until he watched it happen.Jack had wanted to take the words back, but the chorus of laughter behind them had stilled his tongue.
Her muffled sob, however, had wrenched at his heart.She’d turned and fled and he’d almost chased after her.Almost.
But very nearly wasn’t the same as actually doing something, and instead, he’d turned and had that smoke with his friends.He’d been sick inside the entire time.No, he didn’t want her affection, but he did prize her friendship.
And he’d ruined it with one cutting comment.In fact, he’d ruined everything.He barely spent any time with Ash’s family after that.Theirs was the one family he’d ever truly belonged in, and he had to make it right.
He watched her across the room as she gathered her skirts and turned, heading out to the gardens.
Five years had passed and still she fled his company every time he drew near.Jack understood, of course, but he only wanted one chance to give the apology she’d deserved for all these years.
And so he followed.
2
Sarah just managed to make it outside.This dratted costume had made the short journey from the ballroom to the terrace ridiculously difficult, but the cool air against her skin made it worth the effort.
And the peace.There were a few guests milling about, but most were inside in the crush of the party, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
She hadn’t much liked masquerades sincethe incident,which was a shame since prior to that she’d loved any excuse to dress in costume.Truth be told, she’d loved acting and dramatic reading…but she’d given all that up.It had been childish fantasy, and now more than ever she needed to be as mature as possible to support Ash.
Sarah had only held a masquerade because her party had needed a theme in order to be a success.Her eldest brother had died unexpectedly the year prior, and her second brother had suddenly been thrust into the role of marquess.
She was doing her best to aid him, and that meant helping him to run the house and make the necessary social connections…which had led her to this party.Ash swore he didn’t need her to do any of it, but she knew what made a man successful, and this was part of the role.
The breath of air was delicious.
She’d needed this break.This bit of quiet amid the crowd and the noise.Especially with the arrival of that knight.She shivered, her arms wrapping about her middle, fabric from her sleeves trailing along the ground.He was a reminder that she’d allowed herself to slip back into old habits.Stories and knights and whimsical dreams of dashing rescues and public declarations of love.But even if she’d wished to be that dreamy girl again, which she didn’t, there was no room for that person in her life.She had responsibilities now.
And besides, being a romantic…well, it opened up a person to others’ scorn.She’d experienced that herself, of course.But she saw it with her friend Rose too.Rose was a dreamer, a kindhearted, poetry-spouting lover of all things beautiful in the world.And what did that get Rose?Teased by the other girls at their school and mocked by gentlemen she met.
Rose was unapologetically herself, an admirable trait, but Sarah had been pragmatic enough to see the wisdom in change.After all, one couldn’t be a child forever.
Looking up, stars twinkled in the sky, winking at her as though tempting her to throw her rational reasoning aside and dance among them.She sighed.Not in this dress.
Her eyes cast back to the party.Not ever.
The squeak of metal rubbing upon metal was her first indication that she wasn’t alone.Then she heard the definite clomp of heavy footfalls behind her.A knot of dread formed in her stomach.
Turning, Sarah drew in a sharp breath.Coming toward her was the very knight who’d been staring at her across the room.
“Forgive me,” his muffled voice called through the slits on the helmet, “but I’d like to request a moment of your time.”
She looked around, realizing the folly in her plan to step outside.She was unattended by her brother, and Aubrey had yet to step outside to join her.She cast a quick glance about to see if other guests were around, but she was more or less alone with whoever resided under that suit of armor.“If you’d like to petition my brother for an audience, you’re welcome, sir, but?—”
He held up a hand, looking for all the world like he was about to stop an army.The metal armor made him look larger than life.Tall and broad and terribly masculine… Sarah closed her eyes, righting her wayward mind.She would not paint this meeting with any sort of romantic brush.
“Ash would surely grant it.”
Ash?How did this man know her brother that he’d be so familiar?“Then perhaps you should find him.He’s not wearing a mask and his costume is easy enough to pick out.He’s a Grecian soldier.You won’t see his red hair, of course, because of the helmet, but the large red plume will surely…” Sarah stopped.Why was she babbling on and on to this man?
And why had she brought up the auburn hair she and her brother shared?Certainly it made them stand out in a crowd, but the locks drew enough attention without her pointing them out.
Sarah dipped her head and, as if to mock her, a lock of that hair fell over her shoulder.She moved to push it back, but as she did, her trailing sleeve thwacked her face.She squeaked in surprise, blinking several times.How had she just managed to make this elegant costume a farce, and what had her so riled?Like that question needed an answer.A knight stood before her, and even clumsy as he was, he still looked as though he’d stepped straight out of a fantasy.
“It seems I’m not the only one with costume issues this evening.”
