Page 20 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“Meredith,” Sarah said firmly, causing herto look up. “Are you feeling well?”
“Yes,” she said, yet she felt quite theopposite. “I’m fine.”
“And yet you keep ignoring my questionsabout last night,” Sarah said. “I thought it was a successfulevening.”
“I believe it was,” Simon agreed. “LordBixby heard about our inquiry to find a horse for Daniel. He’strying to talk me out of going with the baroness, but he knows aswell as I do that she is the best breeder in the country.”
Sarah made a face.
“I was speaking about Meredith.”
Simon blinked.
“Oh, yes, of course. Jenik and MacDougallwere very complimentary.”
Sarah smiled, satisfied, at her husbandwhich made him smirk as well.
“Did they?” she asked. “They were a finepair of gentlemen. Wouldn’t you agree, Meredith?”
“Yes.”
The singular answer caused Sarah’s smile tofaulter. Sighing, she stirred a scoop of sugar into her teacup.
“Well, perhaps you’ll be more excited withthe crop at Mountebank’s home.”
Meredith’s attention was finally caught asher eyes snapped up to her sister. The Duke of Mountebank was apowerful man indeed and one of the most sought-after members of thepeerage to align with on social issues. Since the old duke’s death,Mountebank had proved to be a reformer on many issues, includingthe improvement of work conditions and the expansion of education.He even introduced a bill in Parliament calling to ban childrenunder fourteen from factory work. It had failed, but he hadn’t beendeterred, introducing several more in its place.
Not only was he one of the most powerful menin England, he was also Simon Archer’s half-brother and Jack’sstepbrother. Meredith had learned nearly six months earlier thatthe old duke had relations with the widow maid, Tally, a woman inhis employ some thirty years prior and Jack and Simon’s mama. Thecoupling resulted in the birth of Simon.
“Why must we go to Mountebank’s?” Meredithasked, unsure. “I thought he and his new wife werehoneymooning?”
“They’ve returned early. He wrote Simon notthe day before yesterday requesting our presence at Dragmoor.” Shepaused, before adding, “It seems he and the duchess are eager tohave us.”
“I’ve told you, Sarah. I’ve no wish to meetany more peers than I already know.”
“I feel quite the same way,” Simon said,picking up the newspaper.
Sarah gave him a pointed glare beforeturning back to her sister.
“I’m quite aware of your feelings towardspeers, my dear, but Mountebank has invited us and we must go. I’msure the duke simply wishes to spend some quality time with us.Besides, I think it would be very good to spend more time with hisnew duchess. Mountebank has always longed for a family.”
“How do you know that?” Simon asked.
Sarah rolled her eyes.
“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? He grew up avery lonely child. You said yourself, Simon, that he was mostlyraised by tutors and the household staff. Then, to discover he hasa whole extended family, well, it must fill his heart with goodfeelings.”
“So, we’re to spend some quality time withhim and his duchess?” Meredith asked skeptically. “And nothingmore?”
“Yes,” Sarah answered, her tone somewhathigh. “And really, who are we to deny a man like Mountebank achance to experience a family? His mama died young and he only everhad his father who wasn’t, well...”
“He was a vile snake,” Simon murmured frombehind his paper.
“Simon,” Sarah said in a hushed tone,glancing at her son, Daniel. “Please.”
“Oh, it’s all right, Mama. I’ve heard himsay a lot worse,” Daniel said, smiling adoringly at his stepfather.“Remember what you said when the horse spooked not a week ago?You
said—”
