“Not for long,” he sneered.
She swiveled on her heel to face him again. “What isthatsupposed to mean?”
“I have it on good authority from one of the servants that you and Hart haven’t consummated your marriage. Hart’s spent every night since your marriage in his bed alone. You even left for Northumbria for the better part of a month. Isn’t that true?”
Good God, the man had hired all the servants. No wonder there were spies in their midst. “Even if thatweretrue, what business is it of yours?” she retorted.
“What business is it? Why, it’s all of my business,” the older man scoffed. “I intend to see this marriage annulled.”
“Have you gone mad?”
“My son was enamored enough of you temporarily to marry you, but now that I know he refuses to touch you, I’m certain I can convince him to seek an annulment.”
“Why would you want that? It would only bring more scandal on your family.”
“So you admit it?”
“I admit nothing. I’m trying to understand your twisted thinking.”
“Do you know what it’s like? Seeing my son make the same mistake I made? My wife never wanted me. She wanted my money, just like you. I know how much money Hart has spent on you and your hideous family, and it sickens me.”
She narrowed her eyes on the earl. “What money?”
“Don’t play dumb, my dear. It doesn’t suit you.” He took a hefty swallow of brandy.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Hart settled a huge sum on your father. He paid off all his debts.”
“What? No.” Meg shook her head.
“It’s true.” The earl downed the rest the brandy and set the empty glass on the sideboard.
Meg’s mind raced. Her parentshaddecided to stay in London. She had noticed her mother wearing a new gown. “Even if it is true, I fail to see how it’s any of your business.”
The earl’s face turned purplish red. “It’s my business because it’s my money.”
Meg turned to leave. “If you have a problem, I suggest you take it up with your son.”
“I don’t think so, Viscountess. I’ve already hired a solicitor to begin the process of the annulment.”
“You’re insane. Do you even know what the grounds for annulment are?”
“One of them is a failure to consummate the marriage.”
“Because ofimpotence. Do you truly think Hart will admit to that?”
“He’ll thank me for this one day.”
“You don’t know your son at all.”
“And you do?”
“Yes. I know he’s kind to servants and he adores his sister. I know he has tiny laugh lines around his eyes and when he’s tired he rubs them. I know he’s been far too accommodating to you and your wife over the years, even after you’ve frightened him half out of his wits over the prospect of marriage. And I know without a doubt that all four of our parents aren’t half the people Hart and Sarah and I have become and we certainly don’t have any of you to thank for it.”
The earl rolled his eyes. “A pretty little speech, but a useless one. I’ve whispered news of the annulment into the ears of theton’s biggest gossips at this ball tonight. By the time you return to the ballroom, you’ll be scorned by the people who’ve been pretending to be your friends.”
“You’ve lost your mind.”
