Page 22 of The Beauty and the Boxer
Daniel shot up out of his seat.
“Good luck, Meredith,” Simon said over thepaper.
“I rarely require luck when it comes toDaniel,” she said as she left, only vaguely aware of Simon sayingsomething like he wasn’t speaking about Daniel.
The sun was shining, yet there was a nip inthe air. Happily, there was no wind and by the time they reachedthe pond that sat between the two properties, Sarah and Daniel wereuncomfortably warm, followed by Daniel’s dog, Dash. Settling downon a stone bench that sat on the edge of the water, Meredith openedher book and began reading out loud.
For an hour or so Daniel listened, tossing astick for Dash to chase while answering Meredith’s questions. Soonthough, the dog’s attention began to wander, as did Daniel’s. Agrasshopper had come into his view, and as he explained to hisaunt, it was supposedly making its way towards the pond where aschool of small fish had gathered at the edge. Soon Daniel and Dashwere leaning over the edge of the pond and while Meredith had everyintention to call them back, her own mind began to wander.
For what seemed like the hundredth time thatday, her thoughts turned to Jack and the kiss from the nightbefore. He had left nearly two hours earlier than the rest of theguests and while no one seemed aware of his departure, Meredith hadfelt it. It was as if a warm blanket had been snatched away fromher and she had been cold and longing afterwards. But mostly shewas surprised. Surprised that she had allowed herself to be kissedby him.
Since her failed marriage with Clyde,Meredith and made it a point to avoid all men, for fear that theywould try to take advantage of her. More realistically, she hadbeen worried that her clandestine feelings would be preyed upon andthey obviously had. She knew that she was a sexual being, one whoobviously could not control herself, and she had hoped to keepherself away from all temptation. It had been rather easy over theyears. No one had inspired any romantic feelings, until last nightwhen Jack had kissed her.
She tried to block them out, desperate toignore the wicked urges that had surfaced within her. Feelings likethese had gotten her into trouble before and she refused to relivethat pain. She never wanted to experience the abandonment she hadsuffered with Clyde and she had tried desperately to harden herheart to the entire opposite sex. But now, the protective walls shehad built around her heart seemed to be crumbling around her. Thelove and adoration between Sarah and Simon had almost been too muchto witness as her soul began to long for a similarrelationship.
But Jack? There was no possible way shecould have something like that with him. He was far too brutal, tooanimalistic in his nature to ever stop himself from takingsomething that he wanted wholly and completely. Jack had grown upwithout anything and being fully aware of it, he indulged in lifeto the fullest. He lived life at such a pace that it frightenedMeredith and yet, she couldn’t help but imagine how it might feelto be loved by someone like him.
Shaking herself from her thoughts, Meredithwas surprised when Daniel had to correct her about the date of thebattle of Hastings. While her younger sister, Beatrice, had alwaysbeen better with historical dates, Meredith certainly wasn’t as badas Sarah was with history and when Daniel corrected her a secondtime, she closed the book and suggested a stretch of their legs toclear their minds.
They began to walk to the top of the pond,where a stony creek fed into the water that led into the forestbeyond. It was dense with large oak trees and while it was aperfect spot to walk in the high heat of the summer, the shadowscast across the grass on such a cool day made Meredith shiver.
Just then, a galloping sound echoed in thedistance. The sound grew and the vibrations of horse hooves couldbe felt beneath their feet. Gazing out to her left, Meredith sawthe great black steed, Drachma galloping towards her.
She wouldn’t have to travel all the way toJack’s house after all as she lifted her hand to shield her eyesfrom the sun as he came before her.
“Good morning, Mr. Archer,” she saidpolitely as he swung off his horse. “I daresay you rememberDaniel?”
Jack nodded at the boy. Meredith absorbedthe image before her, Jack in his buckskin riding pants, tall blackboots, and a white cravat beneath his black riding coat. He wore atop hat that he removed on his dismount and the mass of tawny curlsshined like brownish, golden silk in the sunlight.
Meredith found herself bemused at her wishto touch it.
“Daniel,” Jack said, nodding at him. “Takingyour lessons outside?”
“Yes, sir,” Daniel answered, as he wasstaring at the horse.
Jack gave Meredith a quick glance, beforehanding the reins to the boy.
“Would you mind terribly walking Drachmadown to the edge of the pond? I’ve been riding him all morning. Ithink he’s due a drink.”
“Yes, sir!” he said, quickly taking thereins from Jack’s hand. Once alone, Meredith felt the sameweighted, welcoming tension that had surrounded her the nightbefore.
“How is your morning, Miss Taylor?”
“Very well, thank you,” she said, ignoringthe warmth she felt roll within her at hearing his voice. “Andyou?”
“Very well, indeed. I am surprised to seeyou so soon. And on my land.”
“Your property begins over there.” Shepointed to a large tree at the northern most part of the pond. “AndI’ve actually a purpose for coming.”
“Oh?” A flash of white teeth dazzled her.“Have you come to reprimand me?”
“No,” she said with a slight shake of herhead. “I’ve come to extend an invitation.”
One of Jack’s brows arched as he tilted hishead. Taking a step towards her, Meredith was suddenly very awareof how close he was standing and if she had any sense about her,she’d move away. Instead, she remained perfectly still.
“What sort of invitation?” he asked, histone low and suggestive.
Meredith swallowed. Good heavens.
