Page 55 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“That’s what I heard.”
“From whom?”
“An elderly woman, a Miss Beecham, Ibelieve. She’s a great aunt of Miss Jenik, the sister of one ofyour associates.”
“Yes, I know Jenik. I vaguely remember hesaid he used to live somewhere near the Taylors’ home in Dorset.But that was over ten years ago. Why is their great aunt here?”
“If I had to guess, I believe she’s here tochaperone Miss Jenik, since Mr. Jenik was called away to London.”Mountebank shook his head. “I didn’t think Meredith Taylor had evereven had a season, let alone a marriage.”
“She hasn’t,” Jack said, feeling a suddensinking feeling in his gut.
“Perhaps we should call for Simon and hiswife.”
Jack felt odd. As if a truth had beendiscovered that shouldn’t have been. He felt torn, both wanting todefend Meredith against such a damning lie while also wanting toprotect her from the repercussions of such a truth beingrevealed.
Jack’s mind began to churn with speculation.A man had hurt Meredith a long time ago, but at what length?
“I’ll find Simon,” Jack said. “Try to keepthat old woman away from others. She may be ruining a reputationwithout realizing it.”
“To be sure. She seems close to senile.Bring them back here.”
Jack left the office and headed back to thebilliards room, eager to find Simon. Aggravated, he found hisbrother, who was in the middle of a conversation when he saw theexpression on Jack’s face. Excusing himself he came towardsJack.
“What is it?”
“There’s an old woman from Dorset here.She’s under the impression that Meredith has been marriedbefore.”
Simon’s face became shuttered as he scannedthe room.
“Damn it,” he said under his breath.“Where’s Sarah?”
“Why?” Jack asked, ignoring the panic in hisheart. “It isn’t true, is it?”
Simon didn’t speak, but his countenance allbut confirmed it. A strange mix of anger and betrayal seemed tobubble within Jack. Why hadn’t anyone told him? Why hadn’t Meredithtrusted him?
Gutted, he pushed past a silent Simon.
Chapter Eleven
Although Meredith had been dancing allevening and had purposely made herself smile, a longing she hadn’tquite been able to name sat in the pit of her stomach. Jack haddisappeared after their brief dance and while she had wanted tofollow him, she knew that all the effort of this evening had beendone for her and she wouldn’t be so disrespectful as to leave.
After the eighth straight dance since herwaltz with Jack, Meredith needed a rest. Mercifully, Mr. AlistairBlake had escorted her to a line of chairs against the far wall ofthe ballroom and offered to get her a lemonade while sherested.
“Thank you,” she said as she sat, not twoempty chairs away from Dawn Trowbridge.
As soon as Mr. Blake left, Dawn slid overthe chairs, coming up to Meredith’s side. The young lady waswearing a pale violet gown, with aubergine-colored rosettesembroidered along the neckline and hem of her skirts. Her curly redlocks had been pulled and plaited back, piled on top of her head inan effort to control her wild mane. Dawn’s eyes followed thedirection of the young lord as he made his way through the crowd tothe refreshments table.
“My, he is handsome, isn’t he?” Dawn saidthoughtfully, before turning back to Meredith. “And I think he’squite enjoying your company. You’ve danced twice tonight.”
Meredith smiled, unsure. It seemed Dawn wasrather too interested in things, but she could hardly be faultedfor her enthusiasm. She was still new to society and while Meredithwas technically new to it as well, she didn’t have the sameunworldly approach to life as her young companion.
“Yes, but I shan’t do so a third time.”
Dawn’s brown scrunched together.
“Oh? But don’t you like him?” she asked,watching the beverage table. “He seems very attentive.”
“He is. But there are other gentlemen who’veasked and it would be rude to them if I only danced with Mr.Blake.”
