Hart took a deep breath. “It’s an ugly story, love.”
“I must know.”
Hart scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Very well. Before my parents were married, my mother was madly in love with your father. They almost married. Then my mother met my father. A wealthy earl trumps a baron, I’m afraid.”
Meg nodded. “I suspected it was something like that, but that was years ago. I specifically remember them having a falling-out when I was a teen.”
“Yes,” Hart replied. “Apparently, they’d all been out drinking together and my father and your mother stumbled upon my mother and your father kissing each other in a drawing room.”
“No!” Meg gasped. She covered her hand with her mouth.
“I’m afraid it’s true.”
“When did it… I never knew.”
“I only found out because my father liked to drink and tell me about Mother’s indiscretions. Not details, thank God. Just the fact that she hadn’t been faithful to him since soon after Sarah was born. Said she produced an heir and a spare and was through with him.”
“Oh, that’s… that’s awful.”
“Father has been telling me these stories since I was a teen. It haunted me.”
Meg shook her head. “No wonder you were afraid of marriage.”
“Petrified.”
“Oh, please let’s never be like them. I couldn’t stand it if we were as nasty to each other as our parents are.”
“I agree. I don’t want a life where I am constantly worried about who my wife is with.”
“I can promise you, you’ll never have to worry about that with me.”
“I know. I love you, Meg.”
“I love you, too,” she replied, tracing a finger along his cheekbone. “May I ask you one more thing?”
He nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck and kissed it. “Anything, my love.”
“Did you pay off my father’s debts?”
Hart’s eyes widened. “How did you—?”
“Your father told me, tonight. He threatened me. I had my suspicions, of course, especially after my father said they wouldn’t be leaving the country after all. I noticed repairs going on at the house, and Mother had a new gown.”
“I’ve taken over all your father’s books, and he and I will meet monthly to ensure he’s not racking up more debt. He’s promised he won’t.”
“Your father was furious,” Meg said. “He said it was his money.”
“I don’t give a damn if he approves and it’s not his money, it’s mine. I have a large sum settled on me from my grandmother.”
“Your father told me he’d see our marriage annulled if it was the last thing he did.”
“If he tries, itwillbe the last thing he does. But he doesn’t scare me. His bark has always been worse than his bite. He’ll want this scandal to die down as quickly as possible. It wouldn’t surprise me if the next time he sees you, he acts like he’s adored you all along.”
Meg was quiet for a moment. “You saved my father.” Tears filled her eyes. “You saved him even when you hated me.”
Hart gathered her into his arms. “I never hated you, love. I was merely a blind, stupid ass. My pride wouldn’t let me realize what was obvious.”
“Which was?”
