Page 19 of A Wish Upon an Earl
“They erected a maypole in Mayfair, where we attended school together.When Sarah was dancing about it, she made a wish.”
That made him smile.Sarah dancing and wishing—that sounded like the Sarah he remembered.The one he wanted to see a glimmer of again.“What did she wish for?”
“You,” Aubrey said, and then she winked.
That nearly stole his breath from his lungs.“She wished for me?”
“Well…” Aubrey held up a single finger.“Actually, she wished for a knight in shining armor.I think since her brother’s death…”
An ache tightened his chest.He’d seen her at the funeral, of course.He’d wanted to talk with her, comfort her even, but it hadn’t seemed like the time to try to clear up old grievances.It had nearly killed him not to comfort her.“That would make anyone forget to be fanciful.”
Aubrey shook her head.“Actually, I think it had the opposite effect.More and more often, I see her slipping off into a dreamy state.She’s trying for Ash to bear the weight of responsibility, but I also think she misses so many parts of her life that are now gone.”
He ached for her.Running a hand through his hair, he tried to decide what to do.She needed whimsy and fun now more than ever.A reminder of how wonderful the old Sarah had been.“Your Grace…” He leaned his head down.“Do you think that you might be able to help me give her a bit of fun?”
Aubrey’s brows shot up.“What do you have in mind?”
7
Sarah sat in her room, the distant sounds of the party filtering up through her open window.
She made a face at the window.Then she sighed.She wished she was down there too.She missed the party, naturally, but mostly she missed her friends…and Jack.Who was her friend too, of course.
Friends.
She made another face, wrinkling her nose and letting out a loud sigh.She should be glad they’d repaired their relationship, but who wanted to be friends with a handsome earl?
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.“Who is it?”
“It’s me.Aubrey,” came a whispered response from the other side of the door.Why was her friend being secretive?
“Come in,” she called, sitting up on the bed.
Aubrey pushed open the door just wide enough to stick her head through.She gave Sarah a long look before she opened the door wider.“You’re dressed.Good.”
“Of course I’m dressed.”Then she stopped as Aubrey turned to look at something or someone in the hall.“Wait.Why is that good?”
“You can come in,” Aubrey said to someone behind her, not bothering to answer Sarah as she stepped into the room, Drew at her back.
“What are you planning—” But the words died on her lips as Jack came in last.
“Hello,” he said, giving her one of his winks.The one that made her melt like ice on a hot day.“We’re here to help you escape.”
“Escape?”she asked, but her hands pressed together.“Escape to where?”
“Just to the north garden,” Aubrey answered.“But we thought… Well, that is to say,Jackthought you could use a break from your room.”
“We’ve set up a dinner picnic,” he said as he came to her bedside.
She looked at him, joy bubbling inside her.It was exactly what she needed, and while she’d lamented being friends, she saw the merit in the idea at this moment.“Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.”He stepped closer, dropping his voice.“Drew is going to carry your chair, but if you’ll permit me, I’m going to carry you.”
Her heart began to thrum wildly.Touching was likely not a good idea, as it created a riot inside her each time.“I can walk.”
“Sarah,” he replied, giving her a long look.“You’re supposed to stay off that foot.”
“It’s getting better,” she said as she slid her feet over the side of her bed.“I’m going to attend dinner tomorrow.It’s Ash who requested I stay up here another day.He’s been rather protective the past few days.”
