Page 31 of A Wish Upon an Earl
Thatwasthe problem.
“It would help if she were currently speaking to me.”
Ash winced.“I went through a misunderstanding with Camilla as well.It’s strange.”He scratched his chin.“There is some measure of trust that must be established.”
That made sense.
And it hurt because establishing trust after their past…that was going to be difficult.Especially now that he knew his mother was meddling.“Trust has never been the strong suit of my family.”
Ash gave a grunt.“That’s an understatement.Your family excels in subterfuge and plots.How you ever escaped those qualities is beyond me.”
He raked a hand through his hair.“Well, thank you.But it does lead me to the latest plot of subterfuge.I was able to speak with Lady Victoria.”
“Not alone?”Ash asked, his face paling.
“Of course not.Sir Henry chaperoned.”Jack scrubbed his scalp again.“Lady Victoria did not come up with the plan to take the gauntlet and trap me in a match…my mother did.”
“Ah,” Ash said.“That makes more sense than anything I’ve heard so far.”
Jack nodded.“From what I can tell, Lady Victoria isn’t a schemer by nature, just in a sticky situation and in need of a good match.My mother took advantage.”
Ash leaned forward.“But what I still don’t understand is why she has the opportunity to take advantage at all.You and Sarah were chaperoned, which means people can account for the fact that you were never alone with Lady Victoria.”
Jack winced.
Ash noticed the expression and his face hardened.
Jack’s hand spread out on the desk.“When I first followed her out onto the terrace, there were several other guests, but over the course of our conversation…” His fingers curled into fists.“We are both unclear as to whether other guests were in attendance the entire time we spoke.”
Ash made a noise deep in his throat.“You compromised my sister?”
“I’m going to marry her, Ash.”If she’d have him.
“Then why did you say no when she suggested that very thing?”Ash’s voice had gone hard again.
He looked his friend in the eye.“I should marry her because I love her and I’ve earned her love in return.I should be strong enough to fight for our relationship, not force her into it.Or worse, allow my mother to dictate the terms.”
Ash relaxed then, sitting back in his chair.“I can support that.”
Jack gave a quick nod.“Thank you.”
Ash stared off.“If Sarah is the only person who can confirm that you were never alone with Victoria, then how do you intend to prove your innocence?”
Jack shook his head.“I’m still working on that.”
Ash scratched his chin.“The best solution is just to ask Sarah to be your wife for a great many reasons.”
Jack nodded.“I agree, but I don’t want her to think I’m asking just because of Lady Victoria.”
“I see your point but, obviously, time is of the essence.How do you intend to proceed?”
Jack stared at the wall behind Ash’s head, a family portrait hanging there.A much younger Sarah stared back at him, the artist having captured the mischievous smile that had forever been dancing on her lips.“What I need is a grand gesture.”
Ash nodded.“That’s an excellent idea.”
“The question is…what?”
Both men fell into silence again.
