Page 38 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“I think you can know a lot about someone inthree months,” Sarah challenged. “I knew everything about you themoment we met.”
One of Simon’s brows lifted as he grinned athis wife and Meredith leaned slightly forward to listen with acutefascination. She had never actually heard how her sister met Simon,knowing only that it had been at a ball, though neither everspecified who had hosted it.
“Did you?” she asked Sarah.
“She absolutely did not,” Simon said,answering Meredith, before returning his attention back to hiswife. “But regardless, I was being my genuine self when we firstmet and every day thereafter, I might add.”
“And you do not believe the duchess has beengenuine?” Sarah asked, rotating her upper body to face him as herhand fell away from his.
“I didn’t say that either,” Simon said. Hiseyes moved to Daniel, seemingly to make sure that the boy wasasleep. When he was convinced, he twisted back to Meredith. “AllI’m saying is that people can spend years pretending to besomething they’re not. Three months being on your best behavior ishardly a feat, especially when it’s to get something you want.”
“So, do you think Justine only married yourbrother to become a duchess?” Sarah asked incredulously. “Really,Simon, that’s a terrible thing to assume.”
“You didn’t think it was so farfetchedbefore their wedding.”
Meredith focused on her sister.
“Really?” she asked.
Sarah had the decency to look ashamed as sheglared at Simon.
“I don’t see the point in bringing all thisup,” Sarah said as she glanced at Daniel. Meredith was waiting foran explanation and soon Sarah rolled her eyes and took a deepbreath. “In my defense, they hadn’t been married yet. But they arenow and there’s no reason to surround their relationship withdoubt.”
“But why did you doubt it?” Meredithasked.
“It was something Simon said to me lastspring,” Sarah said, her brow furrowing. “He told me that the dukewas glad that I had championed Justine, only I never had.”
Meredith blinked.
“She lied?”
“Yes.”
Why didn’t you tell the duke?”
“I had planned to, but then they seemed sohappy together and really, what did I know about their courtship?”Sarah sighed. “I didn’t want to disrupt their happiness, knowinghow dreadful it could be to be separated from the one you carefor.”
Simon reached for Sarah’s hand once more andsqueezed it. A small smile curved her lips and Meredith feltsuddenly as if she were intruding on a private moment.
“Perhaps you are right,” Simon said softly.“I’m sure I’m only being suspicious.”
“No, you’re probably correct,” Sarahcountered. “Three months is a drop in a bucket compared to alifetime of matrimony. It’s not nearly enough time to get to knowsomeone.”
The corner of Meredith’s mouth pulled up asshe bent her head, trying to hide her smile. These two were sosweetly in love that they could barely argue properly withoutchampioning each other. After a moment, she gave a tiny cough andthey both seemed to snap out of their daze for one another.
“I’m sure it will be a fine weekend,” Sarahsaid. “And I plan on befriending Justine, truly, as we are allfamily now.”
“Yes, so will I. I’m sure it will be awonderful time.” Meredith nodded just as Simon moved, readjustinghis position. For the briefest of moments, a familiar aroma filledher nostrils and she inhaled. It was the same scent that clung toJack. “Carbolic soap.”
Both Sarah and Simon glanced at her.
“Beg your pardon?”
“Carbolic soap,” she repeated. “It’s adistinct scent, isn’t it?”
“I’ve tried to get him to use lye,” Sarahsaid, patting her skirts, seemingly uninterested in the topic. “Buthe refuses.”
“How do you know about it?” Simon asked.
