Page 91 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“Yes. It seems they were not in the sameplace. She died in Lord Fenwick’s home. Or possibly Mr. Bostone’shome.”
“You don’t know for sure?” he asked, titlinghis head.
“There are conflicting reports,” sheexplained. “It seems she passed away at one of her lovers’homes.”
The expression Jack gave her was one ofexpectant pity. Evidently, he had witnessed the duchess in atryst-like embrace during his visit to Dragmoor. Meredith wasrather surprised to see it in his eyes but then, Jack had softenedin recent months.
“Good lord,” he said lowly, shaking hishead. “I’m sure Mountebank is hurt.”
“I’m sure,” she said before changing thesubject. “Sarah’s uncomfortable,” she said, reading the letter oncemore. “I think she hopes for our return sooner than later.Apparently, Simon is being unreasonable.”
“I’d imagine he would be,” Jack said, takingoff his shoes. “We’ll return in a month or so. She won’t have thebaby without you there, I promise.”
Meredith smiled at him, knowing he was eagerto return home to Burnwall. He tilted his head.
“Is there something else?”
“Well, yes. A situation has arisen and I’mworried that it’s not the best thing for Sarah to be dealing withduring her internment.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Beatrice has run away again. She’s beenfound, but it seems Mama is tightening her hold on her and the poorthing can’t bear it.”
“Has Simon had no luck with thelawyers?”
“What rights do they have? Sarah says thatthey’re trying everything they can, but they’re finding itdifficult to get a court that will hear their case. Not that thereis much of a case. Mama is stating that Beatrice is simply willfuland under no duress, but I know she is.”
“Where was Beatrice found?”
“A friend’s home. The mama returned herinstantly, but I’m worried. This is the third time Beatrice has runaway and with her upcoming season on the horizon, it doesn’t makeany sense that she would. Marriage is the best possible way toescape Mama.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to marry?”
“I think she’d prefer marriage to livingwith my mama.”
Jack came up and put his hands on hershoulders. He kissed her neck and Meredith’s eyes flutteredshut.
“We’ll be home soon. Then you can beburdened with fixing all of this, but until then,” he said in herear as he kissed the soft skin behind her neck. “Come to bed.”
“I really must finish this letter.”
“You’ve other duties to attend to,” he said,kissing her.
Meredith smiled into his mouth and let himtake her.
Her letter could wait until tomorrow.Tonight, she had other things to do.
The End
Other Books by Matilda Madison:
www.evernightpublishing.com/matilda-madison
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