Free If I Fall by Kate Noble Page A

Jackson Fletcher!” And then he threw his arm over Jackson’s shoulders (well, he threw it as high as he could) and pulled him toward the library, saying, “Now, I’m very eager to hear all about life at sea—you’ve been in and around the Orient, correct? Have you come across any interesting features in architecture? If so, I would love to take them to the Historical Society.”
    “Perhaps that will allay some of the bad feelings between you and the society, father!” Amanda piped up.
    Everyone in the room shot Amanda a silencing look. Sarah especially.
    “What possible bad feeling could be between Lord Forrester and the Historical Society? I thought you a founding member?” Jackson had asked innocently. Innocently, because he did not know he was walking into a snake pit.
    Sarah had turned her cool, assessing gaze back to Jack, while the rest of the room—her parents especially—held their breath.
    Then, she laughed, a light happy trill. And everyone in the room exhaled.
    “Oh, tell him about the Event, father. He’ll know soon enough in any case. I have a dinner to dress for.” And with that, she turned and flitted up the stairs. Escaping her family below.
    So, he was told. Told of Sarah’s engagement to a Duke who had jilted her on the night of their engagement party. A Duke who was a member of the Historical Society, and that Lord Forrester’s loyalties had been divided between his family and his institution ever since the Event. Told that up until about a month ago, Sarah had been in such low spirits, the Forresters had considered taking her home to Primrose Manor.
    Then, he was told of her miraculous change in fortune, and her rise in popularity.
    “And I know we have Lady Worth to thank,” Lady Forrester sighed, as she sipped her wine after dinner. Lady Forrester always said wine improved her eyesight—it certainly relaxed her perpetual squint. They had dined en famille, although, of course without Sarah, as her social engagements were far too pressing. The younger girls had been dismissed, and it was just Jack and the lord and lady of the house. “She made my girl sit up and sparkle.”
    “Yes, she is very well received now,” Lord Forrester agreed with a grunt, as he took a box of tobacco and a pipe from a servant and began packing the stuff in.
    “Very well received?” Lady Forrester repeated. “My dear, she’s the toast of London. I have to say, I knew she would pull through. And of course a little motherly guidance never hurt anyone…” She paused when Lord Forrester cleared his throat conspicuously. Then, she turned to Jack. “And you need not fear, my dear. While the purpose for my invitation has altered, the invitation itself hasn’t. We would love to have you come stay with us, my dear Jackson, for as long as you need. We were so sorry to hear of the
Amorata
’s fate.”
    Jack’s eyes shuttered at the thought of his beloved ship, already written off for scraps by the people of London. Not wanting to dwell too much on it, he waved off the thought.
    “Now how many times have I asked you to call me Jack, Lady Forrester?” he said with a charmed smile.
    That good lady preened like a mother hen. “I like having something special to call you,” she replied, then her face turned to a frown. “But really, Jackson, are you certain there is no cause for alarm—?”
    “I’m sure the
Amorata
’s fate is not so dire as one might think. A few repairs and she’ll be like new again.” Then he turned the glass of wine on the table, and turned the conversation. “So you no longer worry about Sarah, the way you initially did?”
    A look was exchanged between husband and wife. While Lord Forrester looked dubious, Lady Forrester was stern, commanding. Then, she—not he—answered with a bright smile. “A parent always worries about her children. But even you must see that Sarah has nothing in the way of depressed spirits, or low attitude.” These words were spoken with force, as if