Dark Passions

56.

It was two days before they were due at the King's court. Meredith had been to whirlwind dress fittings again, with Eleanor, who had been most helpful in persuading Miss Hanover at the dress shop to put everything else aside to get the gown ready. Meredith herself was a mass of jangled nerves, despite Derek's assurances everything would be perfect.

This afternoon, Meredith slipped into the bookshop, determined to find some peace for a few moments. The stacks of book and quiet soothed her. After Eleanor left her in a flurry of hugs, and scent of rosewater, Meredith wandered into the shop, as the coach and footmen waited patiently. Books always calmed her, and she perused the shelves slowly. Maybe she could buy something nice for Derek.

"Excuse me...Meredith Grey, is that really you?" a deep baritone voice behind her inquired.

Meredith spun around to find herself staring into the silver-gray eyes of the man she had known when she was younger. The man who had been her first lover, and taken her virginity. "Jack..." she whispered, covering her mouth with her fingertips. Her eyes widened, looking at him, his blond hair longer than fashionable, his rail thin body dressed in an old jacket and breeches, the boots scuffed and worn.

"In the flesh," he replied suggestively, bowing over her other hand, and kissing her gloved fingers. "And may I say you look ravishing. And lovely and very well taken care of?"

"Oh, my, Jack...this is...a surprise..."

"I assure you, I had no idea you would be here. I just dropped in to pick up a new book on watercolors." He waved the book in his free hand.

"You're still painting, then?"

"Yes, even though my favorite muse is gone."

"Jack...we were only..."

"Friends? How cruel, Meredith. You broke my heart." Jack sighed dramatically.

"Hardly. You had a string of women at your disposal," Meredith countered wryly. "I was only novel due to my virginity, which you were eager to dispose of."

"Ah, but you were so beautiful and fresh and sweet. I loved painting you, in every way...especially nude, all that lovely peaches and cream skin, so soft and feminine ..." he smirked. "But then you disappeared..."

"I had to," Meredith whispered, afraid someone would overhear. "I had to get out of that life, and now I have to go. This is..."

"Unseemly, my lady?" Jack mocked her. "Of course, you are a Duchess now, eh, love? All proper in your expensive dress, and your jewels. Is your husband the jealous sort?"

"Very."

"Does he care you were damaged goods?" Jack whispered, leaning closer than she liked.

"Derek loves me," Meredith replied firmly. "My past doesn't matter to him."

"Really...how interesting."

"Yes, really. Now I have to go, if you will excuse me, Jack..." Meredith turned away, determined to leave, her satin gown swishing against the shelves in the dusty shop. She felt a momentary panic as he grabbed her elbow.

"Meredith, look at me. D'you think your Duke would be happy to receive a gift of painting of you, his wife...nude and wanton...hmm?"

"Jack, no...don't," she implored. "Do you want money? I can pay you whatever you want."

Jack St. Vincent grinned evilly then, calculating how much he could get. "Now, that sounds promising," he murmured, his finger against his lips. "I am still a struggling artist, money always helps."

"Where?"

"The same as always - I haven't moved." Jack inspected the frayed cuffs of his jacket, sweeping his gray eyes over her insolently.