Page 11 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“Sarah,” she said, her tone one ofwarning.
“Besides,hehas not been seen foryears, Meredith.Years.He could be dead for all we know.And no one is trying to marry you off.” Sarah appeared slightlyhurt and Meredith felt a fresh wave of guilt hit her. “I justthought it would be nice for you to meet some people. You’vepractically been in hiding for six years and you were once sosocial.”
Meredith glanced down, trying to deny it,and failing. She had once loved visiting friends, dancing, andsocializing. But forfeiting it all had been the price she had topay for her reputation.
“Before I made a mess of everything,” shesaid lowly.
“And working as a governess has hardlyallowed you to take much pleasure in society. I know you prefer itto living with Mama and I adore having you with me, you must knowthat.”
Sarah came before her sister and took herhands. She squeezed.
“Yes,” Meredith conceded. “I know that. Ilove being here.”
“I just thought perhaps you would benefitfrom being a part of the world, at least here in Bristol. No oneknows anything about the Taylors here and even if they did, nothingwas ever confirmed or even whispered about what happened.”
Meredith had long wondered if it had beenSarah who had been able to silence their home community, butsomething in her kept her from asking. She nodded.
“You’re right. You are right,” shereplied.
“Then you won’t abandon me during theparty?” Sarah asked with a hopeful smile. “You’ll come?”
“Yes, of course. It’s not as if I couldavoid it, could I?”
“I hoped you wouldn’t,” her sister said,squeezing her hands before she let them drop. “Come, let’s godownstairs. Jack is waiting to see you in the formal parlor.”
The reminder that Jack was in the house,waiting to see Meredith, gave her a small thrill. Of course, he hadmost likely come to discuss money, but then she hadn’t quiteforgotten how she felt when he stared up at her through the windowupon his arrival.
Trying to sound nonchalant, she movedforward to walk with her sister.
“I didn’t expect to see Mr. Archer sosoon.”
“Well, he said he had some business toattend to with Simon, although he knows how I feel about himworking on Saturday.”
“It’s Sunday that is reserved for rest.”
“Yes, but Sunday is the Lord’s day. Saturdayis mine.”
Meredith smirked at her sister.
“Simon isn’t very religious, though, is he?You can share him with the Lord no doubt.”
“Or I can have two days without him runningto the office,” she said coyly as they reached the staircase.“Besides, it can’t possibly be good for one’s health, going to worklike he does every day.”
“I think your husband and his brother havealways worked and to not do so would drive them mad with boredom,”Meredith said. “I think it must be a middle-class sort of feelingabout things.”
“That’s true. I do believe Simon wouldbenefit from a country life as opposed to the city.”
“What about his brother?”
Sarah faced Meredith.
“Jack? I don’t know. I never thought aboutit.”
Feeling the tips of her ears begin to warm,Meredith reached the landing quickly and headed for the parlor.When she realized she was alone, she turned.
“Aren’t you coming?”
A queer expression sparkled in Sarah’seyes.
