Page 71 of The Beauty and the Boxer
Meredith rang for tea and then took a seatnext to Sarah on the settee. She curved around to face her sister,who was positively glowing at the moment.
“Simon will be thrilled, I’m sure,” she saidreassuringly.
“I can only hope so,” she said softly. “Imean, he’s been grand with Daniel, truly, I couldn’t have hoped fora better relationship between the two.”
“Then what is it?”
Sarah shook her head.
“He and his brother had a rough start inlife, as you know and I worry that he sees himself in a diminishedlight when it comes to being a parent,” she said. “Of course, he’swrong. But men are so seldom aware when they’re wrong.”
The mention of Jack caused Meredith’s heartto pinch. She had never given Jack’s history much thought, onlyknowing him as the imposing adult. It was hard to imagine him as achild and yet, as soon as she thought of it, she couldn’t help butsmile. She imagined him being an arrogant youth, with a quick quipready for anyone who spoke to him. He had probably been a terriblelittle imp.
“What’s so funny?” Sarah asked, breaking herthoughts. “You’ve the queerest smile on your face.”
Shaking her head, Meredith tried torefocus.
“Nothing,” she said. “I’m sure you havenothing to worry about. Simon will be...”
“Thrilled?” Sarah asked, amused, as Meredithlaughed at the repetition of the word.
“It seems there is no other word that willdescribe his reaction.”
“Well, I’m not telling him yet. I’ve stillsome time before I begin to show, although,” she leaned back andbegan to rub her midsection, “I fear I’ll show a lot earlier thistime around. With Daniel, I barely appeared to be with child formonths.”
“How far along are you?”
“Two months, at least. I believe we’ll behaving a spring baby.”
“Oh,” Meredith said, suddenly rememberingthat she had overheard the duchess speak of being with child. Sheassumed Mountebank and his wife would have their baby in the springas well. When Sarah tilted her head, as if to ask what was wrong,Meredith shook her head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sounddisappointed. It’s just that, I learned something while we were atDragmoor.”
“Did you?” Sarah asked, scooting closer in avery unladylike fashion. “What did you hear?”
Meredith gave her a hesitant expression.
“Well, it was the duchess, actually. Shementioned that she was with child.”
Meredith did not wish to repeat all she hadheard, but the countenance on Sarah’s face seemed to say that shewas just as uneasy about the information as Meredith.
“Yes, Simon did say that Mountebankmentioned that to him before we left.”
“Oh. Did he seem pleased?”
Sarah hesitated before answering.
“Why would you ask such a thing,Meredith?”
“Because they seemed so at odds during ourstay and when the duchess told me about it, she said it as if shewere, well, rather annoyed at the idea.”
Sarah gave her a perplexed look.
“I fear that Mountebank and the duchess arenot very pleased with their marriage.” Sarah said, slightlydistressed. “I hope they can settle whatever distress is betweenthem.”
“Perhaps it’s a lover’s quarrel,” Meredithtried. “Many marriages have rocky starts. I’m sure the duke andduchess will find their peace. Eventually.”
Sarah appeared doubtful and Meredith knewthat they both were thinking the same thing. Hopefully, Mountebankand his duchess could work through whatever struggles that seemedto plague them.
When the tea tray was delivered, Meredithmade herself busy with pouring and serving. She was just about totake a sip from her cup when the butler came into the room.
