Page 12 of A Wish Upon an Earl (A Maypole in Mayfair #3)

J ack heard her intake of breath. So quiet he might have missed it if he hadn’t been listening carefully. Her body stiffened under his hand. She looked back at him, alarm making her eyes wider and greener. “I’m not sure that’s wise for me. You know I’ve been ill.”

From the first moment their gazes had met, he’d known Sarah was upset. She’d left Ash’s office clearly distraught last night, and whatever ailed her continued to do so this morning. What he didn’t quite understand is what exactly had her so worried.

Did she think Lady Victoria would be victorious? He’d already assured Sarah the other woman would not trap him. He didn’t yet know how he’d escape that plot, but he would. And he’d keep his promise to Sarah to protect her.

Did she need him to repeat that promise? He’d say the words again and again if she needed to hear them. Or perhaps she needed proof that he’d keep his word.

Which was why he’d started with a play.

He knew Sarah. She loved to act, and he’d give her every opportunity to have what she loved, what made her happy.

“I thought of that,” he answered with a smile. “Why don’t we reenact ‘Rapunzel’?”

“The children’s story?”

He shrugged. “A kinder version anyhow. Then you can sit in your tower, hardly having to move.”

Her mouth opened and then closed again. She began worrying her lip as he patiently waited for her to respond. “I have to confess, that’s a good idea.”

Sir Henry chuckled. “Are you going to volunteer to be the prince?” The older man’s eyes glinted with a hint of mischief.

“Of course,” Jack replied, glad for Sir Henry’s assistance. Playing Sarah’s hero was perfect for what he had in mind.

Sir Henry clapped. “I’ll begin fashioning a tower. Lady Esquire can assign other roles. We’ll need copies of the story, of course.” Sir Henry continued on with more directions as he walked away.

“I think we’ve found our director,” Jack chuckled.

But Sarah didn’t reply. She had folded her hands as she looked at the floor.

“Sarah,” he said, touching her back again. “If you don’t tell me what’s wrong, I can’t help you.”

She sniffed. “Are you certain there isn’t another you wish to play Rapunzel?”

He narrowed his gaze. Was she jealous? “I’m certain.”

Her chin tipped up toward his. “Honestly, Jack…” She drew in a gulp of air. “I don’t think I can play this part next to you.”

“I am confident in your abilities to be a wonderful Rapunzel.”

She shook her head. “I meant the part of your friend.”

Confusion and pain coursed through him. Not be his friend? How could she even say that? Was she still so hurt from their past? “Why is that?”

She shook her head. “I just can’t.”

He leaned closer. The hurt that laced her voice made him ache. “I meant what I said yesterday. I’d protect you no matter what. If I am what’s ailing you…” He hated the words. They tasted bitter in his mouth.

But confusion clouded hers. “How can you speak like that and then reject me?”

Reject her?

But Sir Henry had returned. “Come on, old chap. We need to head down to the library and see if we can find a copy of the story.”

The last thing he wanted to do was leave Sarah’s side now. “I’ll join you in just a moment.” Then he bent closer to Sarah. “I know this isn’t the place, but I’m wracking my brain and I can’t for the life of me figure out how I rejected you.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she shook her head. Snapping her mouth shut, she lifted her skirts, turned, and walked away, joining a group of women discussing various parts.

Jack watched her go, struggling to understand what had just happened.

He had little choice but to either make a scene or follow Sir Henry, and so he started for the library, but this conversation was far from over.

He puzzled as he walked, catching up to Sir Henry. Fortunately, the man allowed the silence to linger as Jack continued to puzzle out what Sarah might have meant.

He’d rejected her?

How?

Sure she’d offered to marry him, but he hadn’t rejected her proposal, he’d only refused because… He stopped, his boots halting on the thick carpet. He’d refused her offer to marry him.

And while he had very sound reasons in his head, he had not shared them out loud.

“Everything all right?” Sir Henry asked.

“I’m a fool,” he answered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Sir Henry chuckled. “Most men are.” Then he slapped Jack on the back. “She’ll come around.”

Jack would have liked to ask the man how he could make that happen, but another woman caught his notice. Lady Victoria.

“Sir Henry,” he said. “Would you mind chaperoning quickly? There is someone else I need to talk to.”

“Of course,” the man chuckled. “As I said, this is a delightful house party. Mystery, romance, and the like. I shall have to visit the marquess again soon.”

But Jack was already entering the sitting room, where Lady Victoria and several ladies were gathered. It was time to get some answers on just what that minx was up to.

* * *

Sarah tried to pay attention as they discussed costumes and settings, but her thoughts drifted back to Jack.

He’d looked confused.

How could he not know how he’d rejected her?

Had she misunderstood?

She played the conversation over and over in her thoughts, but she still didn’t see the entire exchange in any other light. She’d offered to wed him and he’d refused.

Granted, it wasn’t entirely her place to make such an offer.

But still…

With a sigh, she looked at the clock. Sir Henry and Jack had been gone for nearly three quarters of an hour. Their library was well organized. What was taking so long?

They walked in again, their arms laden with books and Jack looking far more serious than when he’d left. His brow was low and his mouth was set into a frown.

She’d just declared their friendship over and yet, even now, she wished to ask him what was wrong.

She sighed. She was never going to outgrow that part of her that insisted on clucking over the ones she loved.

Books were distributed and lines pulled. The play would be short. A simple distraction, but as they had a party of fifteen participating in the production, several extras had to be worked in. She’d hoped Rose would join in, but her artistic friend had declined.

Sarah frowned now at the thought of Rose. Another loved one she was worried about; Rose had been acting oddly. First refusing to come down for dinner the other night without explanation, and then hiding away in her room rather than joining in the fun.

Sarah would make it a point to seek out her younger friend just as soon as she could to see if there was anything seriously wrong. But for now…

Sarah sighed as she attempted to pay attention to the details being bandied about around her. Selfishly she wished any of her close friends were among the actors in this little show. Then, at least, she might have had someone to distract her from her maudlin thoughts.

By the time they broke for lunch, they’d only just begun to rehearse, and Sarah had to confess that she longed for the quiet of her room once again.

As she took a seat at the table, Jack slid next to her. She clenched her jaw to keep from asking a tumble of questions. She’d informed him that they should not be friends just before he’d left the library. That meant that she would not inquire after his wellbeing. Period.

But she could feel his gaze on her, and she shifted away, trying to put distance between them.

“Sir Henry has agreed to chaperone a turn about the terrace,” he whispered. “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you?”

She wanted to go with him. But she was wiser and more mature, and the prudent thing was to stop this now. Cease trying to be his friend before she sustained more damage. “I should stay here with the rest of the guests.”

“Sarah,” he whispered, a touch of pleading in his voice.

She held her chin higher, not meeting his gaze.

He didn’t say a word as he rose again and left the room.

Nibbling her lip, she wondered if she’d just made the right choice. She was still looking at the door when Aubrey touched her arm. “Sarah?”

She looked back at her friend, and the urge to cry welled up in her throat.

Without a word, her friend took her hand and pulled her outside. Once they were alone, Aubrey stopped. “Tell me what’s wrong?”

Sarah shook her head. “Everything.” The whole story of last night came tumbling out. Lady Victoria, the gauntlet, the refusal to wed her, even bits of her past hurt with Jack.

Aubrey silently listened.

When Sarah was done, her friend shook her head. “Something isn’t adding up.”

“How so?” Sarah asked.

“Well, it’s just that I saw him with you the other night.” Aubrey stepped closer. “I would have sworn that he has feelings for you.”

Sarah swallowed down a lump. “He cares for me, I’m sure. But not the way you mean.”

Aubrey shook her head again. “Are you certain? Because the way he looks at you, touches you… I’d bet my title that he’s smitten.”

That made Sarah smile just a bit, though she was certain the expression did not reach her eyes. “The title of duchess is a rather large one to bet.”

Aubrey grinned. “Exactly. So you can imagine I’m rather confident.”

“But then why would he turn me down?”

Aubrey shrugged. “Perhaps he simply wants to ask you. Or maybe be your hero instead of you being his. While it’s kind of you to rescue him, I’ve learned that some men rather enjoy being the protector.”

Sarah blinked.

Her personality did have a tendency to grow so large, it didn’t leave room for others. She’d done a marvelous job of supporting Ash rather than overwhelming him, but could she say the same for Jack?

She groaned, her head dropping into her hands. “He asked me to come out here and explain, and I refused him.”

“I’m certain you’ll get another chance.” Aubrey smiled. “But try to listen. He might have some interesting things to say.”

She nodded as she made her way back inside to finally eat.

When she was done, she started back up to the east wing, determined to follow Aubrey’s advice.

But Jack wasn’t there. And an hour later, when sets began construction, he still hadn’t come back to the sitting room.

She tried to pay attention and not to watch the door, but her heart sank with each passing minute.

What if Aubrey was wrong and she wouldn’t get another chance? What if she’d just passed up her one chance of hearing Jack’s explanation?