Page 23 of A Wish Upon an Earl
Jack pulled his chin back as Ash’s fists clenched.
Jack rubbed his face.“I was a foolish child, Ash, who almost immediately regretted his actions.I won’t make excuses for my behavior back then.What I did was inexcusable, but I will never hurt Sarah again.In fact…” He drew in a deep gulp of air, preparing for the words he was about to say.He likely didn’t deserve this opportunity, but he’d tell Ash the entire truth.“I care for Sarah deeply.”
Ash’s arms went limp.“You care for Sarah?”
He straightened, his feet spreading apart.“Yes.I thought I just missed her friendship, but the moment I saw her, I…” He stopped for a moment, drawing in another breath.“This isn’t about me.I can see what Sarah’s lost and I know it’s my fault.If I do one thing, I’ll give some of those pieces back to her.She is a jewel that should sparkle, but she’s hiding herself away from the light.”
Ash’s arms dropped even as his brows rose.“Metaphors of sparkling jewels?”
“This isn’t about me,” he repeated.
“If it were?”Ash asked.
Jack didn’t hesitate.“I love her.”
Ash staggered a half step back.“You love her?Like…I love her?”
Jack shook his head.“I’d marry her, Ash.”
His friend looked struck dumb for a moment.“You want to marry Sarah?”
He gave a tentative nod.“I do.”But once those words left his mouth, a whole pile of others tumbled out.“I miss everything about her.The way she makes me laugh, the way she tells a story, the sound of her voice, the green of her eyes, the way she looks in the moonlight.”
Ash held up a hand with a wince.“That’s my sister.”But the anger was gone from his voice.
“She’d be a countess, and I live very close.”
Ash grunted.“I’m aware of both.”Then he cocked his head to the side.“Your mother will hate her.”
“A plus to be certain.”Jack nodded.“Any woman my mother would like would make me miserable.”
Ash smiled then.“You’re sure about this?As I stated, I won’t allow you to hurt her.”His face grew hard again, his mouth drawing into a tight line.“No one works harder to help the people she loves, and I’ll do the same for her now.”
“I’m sure.”Jack put a hand on Ash’s shoulder as he took a deep cleansing breath.“I’ve never been more sure.I likely don’t deserve the opportunity, and I’ll respect your wishes, but I swear to you, I only want to lift Sarah up.”
Ash looked at him for a long time before he finally gave a nod.“See that she doesn’t stay out too long and keep it quiet.I saw another partygoer as I called for the dogs.You narrowly missed being seen.”
Jack gave a tight nod.“Understood.”
Both men turned, returning to the garden, Ash to collect his dogs and Jack to take a seat next to Sarah, who was now lounging on the blanket, their evening picnic spread out before them.
Sarah gave him a questioning glance but didn’t ask as Ash left, Max and Mabel finally in tow.
He winked in return, his hand brushing hers.Tomorrow he’d find a way to get her alone long enough to share his feelings with her.For now, it was enough just to be in her company.
* * *
The next day,Sarah attempted to puzzle out all that had happened between her and Jack, but the more she thought, the less it all made sense.
The fun and whimsy had returned, and for it, Sarah felt refreshed, free of a weight she’d been carrying around for ages.But she was also confused.For a moment, she’d thought that they might kiss.
But that was just her silly fantasies filling her mind with wild thoughts.Wasn’t it?
She’d gotten caught up in his princess story or her story…whoever’s story.And she’d allowed the romance of it all to carry her away.
But he’d been so close.And he’d come to get her and…
Aubrey had come to take her out as well.That was what friends did.
