“Succession law,” Ethan said grimly.
Judge Quigley nodded. “Without David, Lord Roxbury would have no heir, and that poses a problem in terms of inheritance. No court would let a succession war start over Lord Roxbury’s estate in case his long-lost uncle or third-removed cousin came forwards to claim the title and money. It would be better if David remained the heir.”
“But I don’t care about Lord Roxbury’s money.” Cora closed her fists on her lap. “All I ask is for David to be free and to stay with me. My husband can do whatever he wants with his land and money.”
“My lady.” Judge Quigley put his glasses back on to peer at her. “How do you expect to sustain your son and yourself? I believe you don’t have any close relatives. If David remains the heir, Lord Roxbury will be required to provide you with an allowance as his heir’s mother while David will live with his father. If David is removed from the inheritance line and hence disowned, he and you won’t receive a penny. Your dowry might be returned to you, but it won’t last long. How will you survive?”
Ethan couldn’t stay silent. “I’ll provide for her and David. Gladly.” He turned towards Judge Quigley. “What can we do to remove David from Lord Roxbury’s line?”
The judge scribbled again in his notebook. “If you can prove Lord Roxbury’s cruelty towards his son with a witness, I’ll file the procedure and do my best to have the court consider it in a timely fashion.”
It sounded easy, but Cora’s paleness worried Ethan.
“We’ll find Mrs. Marshall,” he said. “We can win this case.”
From the windowof her room, Cora watched David playing cricket with Harry in the garden. Seeing him carefree and happy, enjoying life as a thirteen-year-old boy should, broke her heart because his present happiness was at risk. She wasn’t deluded. Jacob would fight tooth and nail to get David’s custody if only to spite her.
He didn’t care about David or an heir. He’d often expressed his poor opinion of his son. But he would fight for David only as a last act of cruelty. And what would she do then?
She had to decide if the conversation with Judge Quigley had stoked her hope or quenched it. Even if they found Mrs. Marshall, she might not want to testify against Jacob, and evenif she did, her testimony might not be strong enough to grant an annulment. On top of that, Jacob would do his level best to terrify the woman and ridicule her. Too many things could go wrong, and she didn’t like it. David shouldn’t become a pawn in Jacob’s schemes.
“Cora.” Ethan’s deep voice was like a caress.
She turned around and found him close to her. Concern furrowed his brow.
“How are you?” He leant against the wall next to her, regarding her from underneath his long eyelashes.
“Too many dark thoughts. I don’t want to lose David.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
“Roxbury will not have him. You have my word.”
She pressed two fingers to her temples. “When you said you wanted to provide for us?—”
He stepped closer. “You and David won’t lack anything.”
She appreciated his offer; she really did. But… “I know you expect nothing from me.”
He stiffened. “But?”
“I’ve been at Jacob’s mercy, or lack thereof, most of my adult life. I know you aren’t him, but I don’t want to be at the mercy of a man again.” Goodness, it came out harsher than she thought. “What I mean,” she hurried to say when he tensed, “is that my independence, both legal and financial, is of extreme importance to me. I want to accept your help, but at the same time, I want to provide for myself. My dowry wasn’t large. It won’t support me. I want to be able to protect my son. What will happen if you can’t provide for us any longer? If you’re forced to cut off my allowance because of a legal situation? Or if you find a wife?—”
“Cora,” he warned.
“We must think of all the possible outcomes. You’re a marquess. You’re expected to marry and produce an heir. I’ll be your dirty secret anyone could use against you.”
He pressed his lips in a flat line. “I am a man of my word. If I promise I’ll provide for you and David, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. It is a matter of trust. I do hope you trust me.”
“I do, Ethan, with all my heart. Then you should understand why it’s important for me to be independent. Life is unpredictable. Things can change in a moment. I want to have a job that will allow me to provide for David myself. And I told you. I will accept your money for as long as you’ll provide it.”
He lowered his gaze. His dark eyelashes fanned over his cheeks. “Tell me how I can help you achieve the life you want, and I’ll do my best.”
Once again, he proved to her how wonderful he was. Yes, he was an honourable man but a dominant one as well. Yet here he was, ready to support her. If she didn’t already love him, she would fall in love with him right then.
On sheer impulse, she threw herself at him and hugged him with all the strength she could muster. His reply was immediate. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to his warmth. She needed a hug. She needed him.
He wouldn’t take advantage of his position of power over her, she was certain of that, but she had to find her independence for herself and David. Maybe he found it hard to contemplate a terrible scenario in which everything went wrong, but she had to do it.
He caressed her cheek and brushed the softest of kisses on her forehead. A burning tingle started at the base of her neck and slithered down her back.
