Page 10 of A Wish Upon an Earl
His heart sank in his chest.“I’m sorry for that.I’m sorry for all of it.”
Ash gave a curt nod.“What does that have to do with tonight?”
“I wanted to apologize,” he started.“When Sarah went out onto the terrace, I followed and?—”
“Wait.”Ash’s hand shot up.“Were you alone with her?”
“There were others about,” Jack answered, crinkling his brow.At least there had been when he’d first stepped out.But now that he considered it, why hadn’t anyone come to help when Sarah had fallen?
“Good,” Ash grunted.“Sarah deserves choices.She’s done so much for me, and I’d hate to see her forced into anything now.Especially with the man who—” Ash stopped, but Jack could fill in the rest of the sentence.With a man she hated?With a man who didn’t deserve her?
He swallowed down the lump of regret that had risen in his throat.Yes, he was a titled earl, but beyond that, Sarah should have a much better man than himself.“To get back to her leg.I nearly lost my balance in that suit, and as I was falling, my lance swung out and knocked her ankle.”
Ash’s eyes widened.“But Aubrey said?—”
“Because that’s what Sarah said.You know Sarah.She was attempting to save my pride.”
Ash shook his head, running his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end again.“That sounds like Sarah.”
“I need to apologize to her, Ash.For what happened tonight and for that mess before.”
Ash shook his head, shifting on his feet.“You’re free to apologize as long as she wishes to hear it.Beyond that, however, I don’t think it wise for the two of you to spend a great deal of time together.She’s not the same girl, and you…” Ash trailed off, his face growing hard.
Jack straightened.Was Ash attempting to say that Jack wasn’t good enough?He’d thought the same of himself, but to hear one of his closest friends say it.It cut deep.
“Thank you,” he answered, despite his hurt and irritation.He’d come here to apologize, and he’d accomplish that at the very least.
“One question.”Ash held up a finger.“Were you the knight who knocked over half the party?”
“I didn’t knock over half the party,” he grumbled back.“But yes.I was the knight.”
Ash’s brows drew together.“Where is the armor now?”
“On the terrace,” he answered, but he understood the problem.Other guests might wonder about it should they stumble across an entire suit of armor scattered about the lawn.“I’d better go and get it.”
“I’ll help you,” Ash answered.“It will be a bit before the doctor arrives.”
Jack shook his head.“You should stay with Sarah.I can take care of the armor myself.”
Ash gave a tight nod.“Drew can help you then.”
The last person Jack wished for help from was the Duke of Amesbury.But he couldn’t refuse.Not politely anyhow.
Now, instead of apologizing to Sarah, he was going to have to explain himself to a duke.
4
Sarah raised her brows as Ash returned to the room but without Jack.And when Ash whispered in Drew’s ear and then the duke left, they notched even farther up.What was going on?
Had Jack told the truth?That they’d been together out on the terrace?That he’d hit her ankle?
What had Jack said?
They really ought to have gotten their stories straight before Jack had spoken to Ash.But there hadn’t been time.
Had others been about them as they’d talked?Had anyone seen him hit her ankle?That would be an embarrassment to be certain, a blight on her reputation, but at least she’d not be forced into any sort of unwanted match.
Not that her brother was the sort to force a marriage on her.But if they had been alone and someone had seen them…
