Page 18 of The Beauty and the Boxer
Jack looked at his brother, both annoyedthat he couldn’t learn anything from him and somewhat pleased thathe hadn’t surrendered her information.
“Very well,” Jack said, taking a bracingswing of his scotch. He handed the glass to Simon. “I think I’llretire.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Dinner is over. I don’t mean to stay allbloody night,” Jack said, loud enough for the others to hear. “Goodevening, gentlemen.”
Jack was out of the billiards room andwalking down the white stone floor of the hallway in a matter ofseconds. His footsteps echoed against the gold and cream-coloredwalls, each decisive step bringing him closer to leaving. He neededto be out and away from this house. Meredith was none of hisconcern, except her money, and with that he had a responsibility toact professionally towards her.
He was nearly to the foyer when he saw theedge of a skirt disappear behind the entrance way that led into thedining room. Knowing that the ladies had retired to the parlor fortea, he was curious as to why a peach-colored skirt should beheading towards the dining room.
Negating all his previous thoughts, hefollowed her.
The dining room had since been cleaned andno other persons, not even servants, were in the room. Everythinghad been put away except a small plate with some bread and cheese,placed near the edge of the far end of the table. Meredith gazedup, obviously startled by Jack’s appearance as her cheeks changedseveral shades of pink.
“Eating something finally?” he asked,tilting his head. He sauntered towards her as she longingly toyedwith the edge of the plate on the table. “You barely ate atdinner.”
“I was nervous,” she said. “And that’s notvery polite to point out.”
“I’m not polite,” he answered, glancing downat the plate. “Why were you nervous?”
“I know Sarah hoped for me to make a friendor two at tonight’s dinner,” she confessed. “I think I was soworried about, well, impressing people and I forgot to eat.”
Her honesty always astounded Jack. Whyshould she feel so at ease to answer all his invasive questionswhen she could simply refuse? He was hardly the kind of person onetold secrets to and yet, she kept entrusting him with hers.Insignificant as they were, he felt rather protective of them. Jackwondered if she would tell him things simply because he asked andno one else bothered to.
“I don’t think you need worry yourself aboutwhether or not you’ve impressed anyone.”
“That’s kind of you to say,” she smiled. “Ifyou’re suggesting that I was already impressive enough, not thatthere was no need for me to even try because nothing I did would beimpressive.”
“I meant the former,” he said grinning,nodding towards the plate. “Please, don’t let me stop you.”
Meredith let out a small, humoredexhale.
“I’m hardly going to gorge myself in yourpresence, Mr. Archer,” she said. She looked into his eyes and hefelt as if she were reading his mind. Sure enough her brow furred afraction. “Are you leaving? So soon?”
“I’m afraid I am,” he said, suddenly unsureunder her watchful gaze. “I’m not much for dinner parties.” Shedidn’t say anything. “Well, good night, Miss Taylor.”
Jack twisted to leave and was halfway downthe dining room table when she spoke.
“Mr. Archer?”
He stopped and turned around. His browlifted in question.
“Yes?”
“Was it terribly obvious? That I didn’t eatat dinner?”
Jack shook his head.
“I don’t think so.”
A moment of silence followed.
“Why did you notice it then?” Feelingsuddenly exposed at the question he shook his head, about to answerher when she spoke again. “Forgive me. That was a silly question.Allow me to see you out.”
She came up to him and waited until heoffered his arm to her. Though she barely let the weight of herhand rest against his forearm, Jack’s attention could not be pulledaway from where they were connected. This was only the second timethey had touched, yet a deep-seated possessiveness rolled throughhim at that moment. A ridiculous feeling, but one that would notlet go.
A servant opened the front door and Jack wassurprised that she followed him out of the house into the coolnight air and walk to where his horse was waiting to be handed offby the groom. His curiosity must have been apparent because shegave him a sort of half smile when she peered up at him.
