Page 40 of An Earl, His Valet, & Their Wife

“My lord, let me assure you of one thing. There’ll be so many sons in the nursery that ghastly Cousin Nero and his wife will never, ever, ever inherit.”

Warmth flooded him, like being embraced by a sunbeam. “Katherine, I…that is…”

His tongue tied itself, halting the words he wanted to say. You are very special to me. No, more than that. I think I’m falling in love with you, as fast as I fell in love with Gerry.

“Yes?” she said, as they approached the small parlor.

“I too respond well to soft words, treats and petting. Although I particularly enjoy stern commands…”

Christ, Michael, do shut up.

Katherine winked in a decidedly naughty fashion. “I’m going to ride you often, my lord. Very, very often. But if you’re disobedient, you will be punished by Gerard and me. Now, you must march in there like Wellington himself. Do not allow these cretins to ruin a most productive day.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

Moments later, they entered the parlor, and Michael stilled at the tension in the air. Christ, he could practically see the enmity between Gerry and Nero, but who was this stranger in his home?

“My lord,” said Gerry, inclining his head. “Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have brought with them Reverend Lodge. He is an examiner. With the ecclesiastical court.”

Katherine gasped and fury burned through Michael. Nero had gone too far this time.

“I cannot think why my cousin would do so,” said Michael slowly, so he didn’t muddle his words. “Explain yourself, Nero.”

Nero sauntered to the center of the parlor like a lead actor at Drury Lane about to deliver a crashing monologue. “It is really quite simple, my lord. Horatia and I care deeply about you. About your future. But we feel you have been influenced by dark forces into a marriage you do not want. A marriage in name only. A marriage where the Ellis line will not be continued by Ellis blood…but by a common Scot! Hunter has conspired with a harlot to rob me of my birthright. To defraud me of what is rightfully mine. We cannot permit such chicanery!”

The vicar cleared his throat. “I’m sure you are aware, my lord, divorce is a grave sin. Fortunately, it is not required in circumstances such as fraud…where there has been undue influence by a member of the clergy or other party. Were you forced, Lord Whitmore? I take a very dim view of non-consent, bride or groom. I can save you from this travesty, and the scheming harlot will be returned to her father’s house posthaste, the devious valet cast out in naught but the clothes he wears.”

Michael’s jaw dropped. First, Nero had implied he might be incompetent. Now this religious cleric was earnestly encouraging him to annul his own marriage on the grounds of fraud? It might be comical, the lengths his heir was going to, except nothing about this situation was amusing. Gerry and Katherine were both being painted in the very worst of lights, although it was hardly flattering to be considered so weak that he couldn’t make his own decisions.

“Get out,” he said, glaring at Nero and Horatia and Reverend Lodge. “Now.”

“Beg pardon?” said the vicar, his eyebrows flying to his hairline. “My lord…”

“All three of you,” said Michael clearly. “Out of my house. I’ll not hear one more word of such nonsense. My marriage is legal, valid and consummated, to a woman I care deeply about, and there are no circumstances where I would let my precious valet go. If, however, you wish to discuss fraud, Reverend, carefully consider how your valuable time was wasted this day by lies and gossip.”

The older man’s eyes bulged. “I see. Well. I think perhaps I shall take my leave. Mr. Ellis, it seems your concerns are quite unfounded, his lordship is entirely competent—”

“Silence,” snapped Nero, his face like thunder. Then he turned to Michael. “You may think you’ve won, but you are quite mistaken, my lord. We’ve not yet begun to fight.”

And with that, his cousin dragged his wife and the vicar from the room.

Michael exhaled slowly. “Christ.”

Katherine ran to him. “You were splendid! Wasn’t he splendid, Gerard?”

Gerry nodded, although his face remained grim. “Nero is going tae do something worse, I can feel it in my bones. At the ball, perhaps?”

“He’ll not be admitted,” said Michael, struggling to control his ire. “Nor will Horatia. I cannot believe they stood in my parlor and slandered you both. I’m cutting them off. Nero can get a damned job.”

Katherine curled her hand around his waist, then they were both in Gerry’s arms, holding each other tightly. It was the most comforting hug possible, yet they all knew a storm was brewing.

It was just a matter of what.

* * *

As it turned out, Nero didn’t wait for the ball.

After a restless night together in the earl’s bed, Katherine, Michael and Gerard had barely staggered downstairs for breakfast the following morning when Kenney rushed in.