Page 11 of A Wish Upon an Earl (A Maypole in Mayfair #3)

O nce they were out of sight of the party, Jack wrapped his arm about Sarah’s waist. He didn’t want her overtasking her leg. And if he were honest, he just liked holding her. She fit against his side, as his hand settled into the hollow of her waist.

Ash entered his study, and Jack paused just outside the door, glancing down at Sarah. She looked back, her face taut with lines of tension. It pulled at her mouth and eyes. “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “Everything is going to be fine.”

But her frown only deepened. “This isn’t like Ash.”

That was true. But his friend likely had a good reason for calling him here, and he was a sensible man. They’d work out whatever problem had arisen.

He gave her waist a squeeze before they stepped into the room.

“Sit,” Ash said, gesturing toward two chairs even as he remained standing by the hearth.

“What’s happened?” Sarah asked as she took the seat. The last thing Jack wanted to do was sit down, and so he stood behind her chair, his hand on her shoulder.

Ash gave him a quizzical glance. “Have you talked with Sarah?”

“Not yet,” he answered, his unease growing.

“Talk to me about what?” Sarah asked, glancing over her shoulder. He gave her arm a light squeeze of comfort.

Ash drew in a breath. “That’s a matter for later. Let’s start with what just happened and the reason I called Jack here.” And then he pointed at his large oak desk.

Jack managed to take his gaze off Sarah’s profile long enough to follow Ash’s gesture, his eyes widening in surprise.

“My gauntlet,” Jack said, staring at the metal glove sitting in the center of the desk. “You’ve found it.”

Ash cleared his throat. “Actually, Lady Victoria found it.”

The first inkling of dread made Jack’s fingers tingle.

“And she claims that she had it because the two of you were alone in the garden the night of the masquerade.” Ash stopped, his face set in a deep frown.

“But that isn’t true.” Sarah looked back at him with wide eyes. “We both know it isn’t true.”

The weight of it settled in his stomach. He’d been with Sarah that night. But he couldn’t say that without compromising the woman he loved. And he would never do that. He’d sworn to protect her.

“She’s going to insist upon a match, Jack,” Ash continued. “Her mother is already contacting her father, the Earl of Reston.”

“No.” Sarah stood then, her hand reaching for his. Her fingers weaved into his larger ones, clasping his tight. “She can’t do that.”

Ash shrugged. “She can try, but it doesn’t matter. When you were outside, others were with you.” He gave them an encouraging smile. “Yes, Jack will be revealed as the bumbling knight, but that’s just party talk.”

Jack gave his head a small shake. “I don’t give a whit about the bumbling knight business.” But Sarah’s integrity, that was another matter.

“Who else was out there?” Ash asked. “Aubrey, obviously.”

Sarah grimaced and Jack understood why. Aubrey had joined them, but not soon enough. There had been a span of time they’d potentially been alone. It hadn’t been planned, but it was becoming increasingly obvious that it had likely happened.

“We should marry,” Sarah said in a rush. “That is to say, if we marry, I could save you from Lady Victoria’s plans.” Her fingers tightened. “If you want to be saved.”

He looked at her then, her brow marked in deep lines of concern.

His sweet Sarah. Always worried for others. Always helping everyone but herself.

It was tempting to take her offer. He wanted to marry her, and here she was offering herself to him.

But not for the reasons he’d hoped. He didn’t want her hand in marriage to avoid the schemes of another woman.

He wanted Sarah because she’d realized what he had, that they were perfect together. He wanted her love, not her pity.

And what was more, it was his job to start protecting her, not the other way around.

“Sarah,” he said, as he shook his head. “I could never allow you to do that.”

Her ivory skin paled considerably. “But she’s trying to trap you.”

“And so I should trap you?” he replied.

“I offered,” but her voice had dropped into a jagged whisper.

He reached down, pressing his other hand to their joined fingers. “And I appreciate that about you so much, but I promised to protect you, remember? Not the other way around.”

She looked at him, pain etched in her features before she tugged at the hand sandwiched between his. He held for a moment before he let her go. “You’ll marry her rather than me?”

He shook his head. “I have no intention of marrying her.” Silently, he added, I’ll marry you, but just not like this.

But he didn’t want to say that just yet.

Not here and not now. Because Ash was with them and because she looked upset.

He wanted to share his feelings in a moment of happiness, and not because some scheming woman had forced his hand.

“I don’t feel well, Ash.” Sarah looked at her brother. “I think I should skip dinner after all.”

Ash straightened. “I’ll take you upstairs.”

Jack narrowed his gaze. Why did she look so upset? But he didn’t have the chance to ask as the two of them left, leaving Jack alone in the study, staring at the gauntlet.

* * *

Sarah thought she might perish from a broken heart.

She lay alone in her room, tears she couldn't hold back leaking from her eyes. He’d chosen a scheming plot over her. That was how little affection he held for her.

A sniffle escaped as she shifted on the bed. Granted, he’d said that he’d not marry Lady Victoria, but he’d been rather clear about not marrying Sarah either.

It wasn’t fair to be upset, she tried to reason with herself.

He’d come to her requesting friendship. Nothing more.

She’d always known this was how it would end.

Granted, this time hadn’t ended with public humiliation, but Sarah had already known that she’d be hurt.

That’s what happened with love that was one sided.

Love. The single word echoed through her hollow insides. He was the one man she’d always loved. From the age of fourteen, it had been him.

It was still him. She’d never felt anything close to that with another man, even in her two years of participating in society.

Jack didn’t return that affection. He never had.

She was a fool.

Sarah finally fell asleep, but the next morning, she woke feeling like she hadn’t slept at all.

And as she made her way downstairs, she nearly smiled because she was certain she looked as awful as she felt and no one would doubt that she’d been ill.

But those thoughts just led her back to Lady Victoria and her comments last night.

Another wave of grief washed over her, but she notched her chin higher. The house party was half over. She’d done all of this for her brother and she would finish it for him too. And once this was over, she’d set herself to the business of finding a husband.

She entered the dining room with a bright smile plastered on her face as she greeted guests and thanked them for attending. A great many expressed their deep regrets that she’d not been feeling well.

She played the part of hostess to her best abilities, but by the time breakfast had drawn to an end, she was already exhausted and the day had only just begun.

Making her way to the east wing drawing room, a party had already assembled.

She halted in the door, a jolt traveling through her as her gaze locked with Jack’s.

She swallowed down a lump. She’d not run away again as she’d done last night. Jack was her brother’s close friend, and she could not avoid him forever, tempting as the idea was.

And so, squaring her shoulders, she entered the room.

He sought her out immediately, her very good friend, as she resisted the urge to about-face and retreat back to her room.

“Good morning,” he said with that soft smile that melted her bones. If only he meant it with the affection that she imagined was behind that smile.

“Good morning,” she replied, her hands clasping. “How did you sleep?”

“All right,” he answered. “And you?”

“Good,” she lied, her gaze sliding to the side.

“You look tired, Sarah.” His voice dropped, worry lacing the edges. “Perhaps another day of rest is in order?”

His concern, which would normally fill her with satisfaction, rankled her this morning. “You needn’t worry yourself over me. I’ll be fine.” She didn’t need his platonic concern creating hope.

His brows drew together. “Sarah,” he started. “About last night. Allow me to explain.”

She waved her hand as though shooing away a fly. “No explanation is required. I believe I understand perfectly.”

“I’m not certain that you do,” he said, frowning.

Another guest, Sir Henry Waffleton, approached them both, much to Sarah’s relief. It would be so much easier to make it through this morning if she and Jack did not talk.

“Sir Henry,” she called with a great deal more zeal than was likely necessary. “How good to see you.”

“And you.” He gave Sarah a warm smile. “I’m glad to see you have recovered from your…illness.” He leaned forward, looking through his monocle meaningfully.

Sarah paused, noting the hesitation in his voice. “Thank you.”

Sir Henry’s smile grew. “Thank you . This party has been an absolute delight. The best I’ve been to in years. It’s even been replete with a bit of mystery. Do you think we’ll discover who the bumbling knight actually is?” He chuckled as he glanced over at Jack.

Jack said nothing as Sarah pulled her smile back into place.

“I don’t know. I’m afraid I’ve missed most of the happenings.

” Then she stepped in front of Jack. She could almost curse herself.

Even as upset as she was, she felt the need to protect him, as though blocking him from view might halt Sir Henry’s ponderings.

“What I’m considering is what we shall do this morning with the party we’ve assembled. ”

Sir Henry opened his mouth, to say what she knew not, but he never got the chance to speak. Because Jack, his voice loud enough to be heard by all, called out from behind her. “I’ve got the perfect idea for what we should do today.”

“What’s that, young fellow?” Sir Henry asked, his eyes lighting with interest, and the voices around them quieted.

Jack stepped closer to her, his hand brushing the small of her back. “Let’s put on a play that we can perform for all the assembled guests.”

A cheer rose up from the group, but Sarah took a half-stumbling step back, running into Jack, who promptly steadied her with a hand to her waist. At any other point in her life, she might have loved to put on a play.

But here, now, with him, it was the worst idea… and there was no way she could refuse.