Page 27 of The Beauty and the Boxer
Jack paused as he pulled his shirt over hishead.
“Meredith? Why is she with you?”
“Well, she and Sarah had the idea to go tothe dress shop to sort out something before we leave forMountebank’s at the end of the week, but after meeting with the DeGreaves, Sarah insists on going to Bixby’s. Meredith doesn’t wishto go and would like to return home.”
“Too bad for her then.”
Simon gave him a stern glare.
“Jack.”
Though Jack had every intention of escortingMeredith home, he certainly didn’t want to appear eager to do so.There was a tension that had grown in his chest when it came toMeredith. His inability to think of anyone or anything else in thelast few weeks had all but consumed him entirely. It had beentorture.
“I don’t see why she’s in need of anescort.”
“She’s a lady for one thing and a member ofmy household.”
“She’s a governess. A working-class woman,”Jack said, irritating Simon. “She’s no more in need of an escortthan you or I.”
“She is and you know it,” Simon said.
Meredith straddled that thin line betweenlady and working woman. Governess positions were often taken bygentle born ladies who had fallen on hard times and needed to fendfor themselves. As Meredith hadn’t actually needed to work, butrather simply became a governess by default, hers was aninteresting position. Not quite a lady, not quite an employee, tooold to be presented, too young to be a spinster.
“She didn’t need one the other day when shecame to the offices.”
“Because the millinery was around thecorner. I escorted her home after your meeting. Now will you stopbeing so argumentative?”
Jack knew he didn’t much have a choice andbegrudgingly accepted the task.
“Very well,” he huffed, trying to sound putout.
“Good. Meet us outside,” Simon said as heleft.
Jack was quick to change. He exited the backpart of building, entering into the Faro tables room ofCanterbury’s. It was a large room with olive green damask wallpaperthat extended all the way up to the arched ceiling. He walkedaround the dozen or so empty Faro tables, as no one was playing atthis early hour.
The lounge came next, a room edged withbuffet tables, lined with thick, luxurious rugs that were currentlybeing rolled up and replaced by clean ones. Canterbury’s was a clubthat really only saw gentlemen after noon, leaving the earlymorning the only time to clean and reset. Only the pugilists camethis early.
Jack moved around a pair of men, workers,who were pointing out a window that needed replacing at the frontof the club, before reaching the massive, oak doors. Nodding at thehouse butler who opened the door for him, Jack finished buttoninghis vest as he came down the wide, marble steps, flanked by twosets of pillars that held up the architrave of the Grecian revivalbuilding.
Simon, Sarah, and Meredith stood outside ofthe carriage, waiting for him.
Jack’s eyes immediately settled on Meredith,who was dressed in a rather plain grey and maroon striped day gownthat was trimmed was a stark white lace at the collar and wrists.It wasn’t anything to inspire feelings of lust, yet Jack couldn’tignore the sense of inconvenient desire that coursed through him atthe sight of the demure lace, stomping down the ridiculous urge totrace his index finger over the intricate stitching.
Her honey brown hair seemed flecked withgold in the sunlight and it was pulled back in her usual severebun. Whisps had come loose at her temples and curled, making herappear rather like an angel instead of a governess.
He coughed into his fist as he reached them,ignoring his own comparison. Both women smiled at his approach.
“Jack, thank you so much for allowing me topull Simon away from his engagement,” Sarah said as her husbandheld out a hand to her. She took a step up into the carriage. “ButI’m sure he’s told you—”
“Yes, yes, he’s mentioned the horse businessbefore,” Jack said, waving off her apology. “Good luck.”
Sarah smiled sweetly at him.
“Thank you,” she said. “And we’ll try againto get to the modiste tomorrow. Or better yet, I could simplyinquire for Mrs. Swanson to come to the house.”
“It’s quite all right,” Meredith said,nodding.
“I could escort you to the dress shop,” Jackheard himself say. Meredith and Sarah both paused to face him.“That is, if you’d like me to do so.”
