The Good Sister: Part Two by London Saint James Read Free Book Online Page B

settled.
    “Trinity, take a seat,” Amelia instructed. 
    I sat on the foot of my bed.
    “All right,” I said. “I know you all want to know everything so I’ll just start. Lord Archer took me out for pizza, only the pizza place was in Paris .” 
    Low murmurs swirled around the room as everyone took a seat on the bed, the floor, and the chairs.
    “He surprised me.” I brushed back a curl. “Lord Archer knew I dreamed of seeing Paris . We had discussed it on one of our phone calls while he was gone. Anyway, things just sort of happened from there. He told me he was in love with me. I thought I would die when he said those words to me. He said he had been in love with me from the first moment he saw me, and he asked me to marry him. I was completely shocked, but realized I really do love him, so I said yes.”
    “When you say things just sort of happened,” Amelia said. Everyone burst out with giggles. “You are no longer a virgin.”
    “God, is it that obvious?”
    “You do have this glow about you,” Ceclie interjected.
    “I can’t believe how stupid I was, thinking I was in love with Reid. There’s no comparison. I really am in love with Lord Archer. He makes me want to sing. I know that sounds stupid, but my heart does flips when I see him. Even when I hear his voice I feel all a flush with happiness.  I cannot believe someone like Lord Archer was meant for me, but there is something between us.  We both felt it the first night we met.”
    “We are truly happy for you, my sister,” Amelia said.
    “Crap!” I said.
    “What?” Breeze asked.
    “With all the commotion with Reid, I left my overnight bag downstairs. I’ll need it to put more stuff in.”
    “I can go get it,” Ambre said.
    “I’ll go. Can you help me gather up my things? I’ll be right back,” I said.
    “Sure,” Amelia said and started in with her instructions to all the others.
    I flitted out my room, then down the stairs. The parlor doors were ajar. I snuck over and peeked. Ashton was seated on the large settee in the parlor. He noticed the painting of me dressed in gold that Jacqueline had John Paul paint.
    “You commissioned a painting of my dove?” he asked Jacqueline.
    “Yes,” Jacqueline replied. “I was going to give it to you as a birthday gift, but now I guess an engagement gift would be in order.”
    Ashton’s eyes widened as he studied the painting. “It’s extraordinary.”
    The sound in his voice was one of awe at my creation.
    “Our beauty is that,” Jacqueline agreed.
    “I shall cherish the gift, Jacqueline,” Ashton said, turning his gaze back to her.
    The fireplace let out a popping crack. A log rolled down the pile, sending orange sparks floating up the chimney. A brilliant flash of light illuminated the room, and Jacqueline’s autumn eyes flickered of burnt umber.
    “My Lord, may I speak frankly?”
    “Of course, Jacqueline. When have we not been able to speak frankly?”
    Jacqueline traced her hand over the pattern of the material on the arm of settee.
    “I hope you do not feel the need to explain your engagement. You know I have wished for your happiness for many years. I believe you shall be happy with my petit. She is a fragile creature in many ways with a loving and kind heart. She holds a spark of life that burns brighter than she knows yet possesses a hidden strength which she fails to see within herself.” 
    Ashton nodded. “I have never met such a woman as her,” he said, bringing his piercing gaze back to Jacqueline’s face. “Jacqueline, you have been one of my dearest friends. You know how it has pained me to know what you suffered at the hands of my brother. If I could—”
    Jacqueline cut Ashton off with the wave of her hand.
    “My Lord, there is no need to discuss could, would or should. You know as well as I, we were never meant to be. It was never within our stars to be lovers. I loved you. I still love you, but I love you now with a clear heart, clear eyes, and with