Page 10 of The Beauty and the Boxer
The creaking of the floorboards beneath herfeet weren’t loud enough to distract her from her memories as theyreemerged in her mind. For two weeks Clyde had pretended to bedevoted to her until he disappeared. When he didn’t return,Meredith had lived alone for several days until she was found bySarah and her first husband Robert. Although he never said anythingto her, Meredith was sure her brother-in-law thought poorly of herand when she returned home, it was all but confirmed. Her mama,Mrs. Taylor, blamed her husband’s death on Meredith and while Clydenever returned to his father’s home, it was rumored that a greatscandal had taken place for the Petersons. The Petersons soon movedaway while whispers continued for years afterwards.
Meredith had always wondered how herreputation had remained intact, knowing Robert must have paidsomeone off. Still, what was done was done and Meredith for allpurposes was still technically married. It was why she neverallowed herself to dream of her own happily ever after. She wasn’tgoing to have one and even if she did somehow manage to meet a manwho wouldn’t use her or hurt her, what could she do? Clyde couldn’tbe called upon for a divorce because he hadn’t been seen since thenight he abandoned her in the highlands.
A knock echoed throughout the music room,shaking her from her musings as she looked up. It was Sarah, whowas absolutely glowing in an emerald gown, her dark hair drawn upon her head in an elegant fashion. Meredith always envied Sarah’swardrobe, but knew better to say as much as her sister would whiskher away to London to have several dozen gowns made. Her sisterwould delight in having gowns made for her, but Meredith couldn’tallow it. Sarah had been a respected widow countess and as far asanyone knew, Meredith was a spinster and she made it a point todress like one. Her own plaid cream and brown colored gown was farmore reserved.
“Darling,” Sarah said as she came into theroom. “Jack Archer has come to speak with you.”
A thrill went through Meredith, but shedidn’t know why. Instead, she tilted her head.
“Has he?”
“Indeed—something to do with your investmentplans, no doubt.” Sarah hands trailed against the back of a chair.“Meredith, there’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss withyou.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“Well, I had hoped to breach the topic at adifferent time, but I believe my brother-in-law may have beeninformed about the matter and I’d rather you not hear about it fromhim.”
Meredith frowned.
“What is it?”
“Simon and I were planning to have a dinnerparty at the end of the month,” her sister began. “You know thatwe’re sponsoring Beatrice next season, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she said. Meredith smiled cheekily.“Are you starting a screening process for her then? To make sureher suitors are on the up and up?”
“Well, no, darling. Not for her. It’s foryou.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Whatever do I need…” Meredith’s smileslipped from her face as her eyes rounded. “Oh, no, Sarah. No.Absolutely not.”
“Now hear me out.”
“Absolutely not,” Meredith repeated firmly.“I’ve no wish, no desire to meet anyone, especially anysuitors.”
“But Meredith, you’re being unreasonable. Ihardly think one dinner party is going to have you married.”
“Why a dinner party? Why now?” Meredithshook her head. “I don’t want to get married, Sarah. Ican’tget married. As you well know.”
“I’m not saying anything about gettingmarried, darling. I was simply thinking that perhaps you might liketo meet someone.”
“Well, I don’t. Keep your meddling toBeatrice’s affairs. You’ll have your hands filled with Mama, I haveno doubt. I’ve no wish to marry or meet a single soul.”
“Mama is already making ridiculous demands,”Sarah said, temporarily preoccupied. “Do you know she wants us tostay with Lord and Lady Ashburn when we go to London? As if ourhome in Mayfair isn’t up to par. It’s insulting, frankly.” Sarahblinked. “But you’ve distracted me. You’ve every bit of right tomeet someone who can make you happy. You’re pretty and intelligentand there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be courted.”
“There’s one very good reason,” Meredithsaid pointedly. “Besides, I’m perfectly content with my life as itis.”
“Perfectly content isn’t perfectly happy.”Sarah stepped towards her. “I don’t mean to upset you, Meredith,really, I don’t. I just want what’s best for you.”
“And marrying me off, when you know I can’teven be married off, is your best idea?”
“Firstly, I very much doubt thatincident,” she said with contempt, “was even legallybinding. He tried to ransom you back to Papa for a fee, so I doubthe had the correct paperwork.”
“It doesn’t matter if it was binding ornot,” Meredith insisted. “I’m not a… What I mean to say is, we laidtogether.”
“You wouldn’t be the first woman to marryafter sleeping with someone.”
