“We’re married,” Jamie answered. “Married people share a house.”
“Yes, Baron, but there is some question about whether or not you and Lady Ross do so,” said a voice, sharp and high-pitched, from Jamie’s left. It came from one of the clerics representing Filiberto. The hair on Jamie’s neck rose; he didn’t turn his head.
“There is no evidence!” Salvia bellowed.
“There is the evidence of Baron Ross’s behavior. By his ownadmission, he only returned here because of today’s hearing,” Filiberto’s representative said.
“The child does not belong in a broken home,” his partner added. “If Lady Ross’s marriage is not as it ought to be, then we object to guardianship.”
“Lady Ross’s marriage is her husband’s concern, not yours,” Jamie hissed, turning toward the plaintiff’s table. He felt his beating heart raise heat in every limb of his body at the sight of the new count, his long silk-clad legs crossed at the ankle, looking on with smug amusement.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” the elderly auditor shouted, “we will have order!”
Jamie subsided, eyes forward.
“Baron Ross, can you unequivocally vouch for the state of your marriage?” the old man asked.
“Of course,” Jamie bit out. “My marriage is in order.”
“Lady Ross has given assurance she will remain in Rome while the child is a minor. Do you agree to that?” the senior auditor asked.
“Of course. It is the stipulation of Robert Beaumont’s will. The child is to be raised in Rome,” Jamie agreed.
“But your business in England, Baron Ross—” Filiberto’s representative began.
“Has been concluded,” Jamie said.
“In spite of your precipitous return? You have no further business in England?” one of the auditors asked.
“That is correct. I have none.”If only you knew.
The three auditors whispered among themselves.
“You will then, ah, cohabit with Lady Ross and the minor child in the house of Robert Beaumont?” the eldest asked.
“Of course.”If she doesn’t throw me out on my ear. Jamie’s jaw hurt from clenching.
“May we have a word, Your Eminence?” one of the new count’s representatives asked.
Jamie wondered what they were up to. To his right, Wentworthand Salvia had an agitated, whispered exchange. The Italian rose and faced the auditors; they waved him forward.
Jamie heard little of the conversation and didn’t like what he heard. Nora’s Italian representative came back looking grim. The man shook his head. He leaned over, two hands on the table in front of Jamie and Wentworth.
“Just answer their questions, Baron Ross. Answer honestly but carefully.” Salvia sat down and ignored Wentworth’s look of inquiry.
“Baron Ross, the House of Castellimonte has raised an issue on behalf of the minor child, the count’s cousin,” the younger auditor said.
I know who Isabella is, and I know Victor doesn’t give a damn,Jamie thought. “What is the concern?” he asked.
“Robert Beaumont’s will provided well for the care of his child. As guardian, Lady Ross will, of course, live in Beaumont’s villa, which belongs in trust for the little one,” the auditor intoned in a nasal voice.
“Yes, I know these things,” Jamie agreed.
“The will, my dear Baron, does not extend to the guardian’s husband. The count’s representative points out that the will provides no stipend for you,” the man continued.
They accuse me of being a fortune hunter? Why not. “What is your point, Eminence?” he asked.
The austere priest shifted uncomfortably. “There is some question, that is, the count has just revealed the results of some investigation.”
