Page 83 of His Forsaken Bride

His step faltered at this accusation. She had so very rarely ever gone on the attack with him during their marriage, that this must be an unwelcome and unexpected turn of events for him indeed. She had always been a gentle and conciliating help-meet during their marriage.

“Given time, I would of course, have approached the matter sensitively,” he claimed, tugging on his cloak as if it had become a little tight around his throat. “There was no need whatsoever for you to come to court in such an odiously forward manner! I would probably have written to Gilbert to break the news to you,” he hazarded uncertainly.

“Gil? You think my brother would have broken the news to me tactfully?” Fenella gave a mirthless laugh. She didn’t believe him anyway, not entirely. “In fact, what you mean is that you would have told him to collect me from Thurrold, so you did not have to face me on your return.”

Ambrose’s face flamed and she saw she had hit on nothing but the truth. “You are determined to think the worst of me,” he complained. “Despite the fact that your own actions, are far from above reproach.”

Fen took a steadying breath. “I was always a faithful wife to you,” she said. “And true.”

“Ahah! But were you, madam? Were you? I wish you would tell me so in writing,” he said bitterly.

Fen frowned at him. “I do not think you are in any position to criticize my behavior,” she said frankly.

“So you admit it, then?” he demanded. “That you are complicit in Lord Vawdrey’s attempts to ruin me?”

Fenella’s gaze darted to his in surprise. “Ruin you?” she echoed.

“I do not know what else you would call it,” he said bitterly.

“I do not believe you,” she said simply. “I can see no reason, why one so elevated as Lord Vawdrey should trouble himself to sabotage your career.”

He gasped. “You-” He drew himself up, but then noticed she had left him several steps behind her, as she continued walking.

He hurried to catch her up. “So, you pretend not to be aware that Lord Vawdrey has approached the King, asking him to formally annul our marriage of eight years?” he asked shrilly.

Fen remembered Oswald’s words in the bath and colored faintly. “He did mention something of that nature,” she admitted.

“Spite! Sheer spite,” Ambrose said indignantly.

“Why should you care?” she asked. “You clearly set no store by our vows in any case.”

“Why should I..?” He almost seemed to reel at her words. “I can scarcely believe my ears, you unnatural woman!” he cried. “Perhaps Colleen is right, and you are pouring poison in his ear against me!”

Fenella stopped in her tracks and turned on him. He took a step back at the look on her face. “How dare you sir,” she said, her voice ringing out. “Speak to me, thus. Do you imagine me unprotected? If so, then you are gravely mistaken.”

Sir Ambrose darted an alarmed glance around them. “Keep your voice down!” he implored. Bors was looking from one to the other of them in confusion. He gave an agitated bark.

“My dear Lady Vawdrey, is all well?” asked Lady Schaeffer from in front of them. She had come to a halt.

Fen hesitated, but Ambrose’s agonized expression decided her. “All is well, pray let us continue,” she said calmly. They started off again.

Ambrose was breathing hard through his moustaches. “You must understand, even an ill-educated woman such as yourself, how an annulment, if it is approved, will set me in some considerable financial difficulty.”

Fen’s frown cleared. So, it was not a question of hurt pride or honor, she realized, just money. If they were never married, then he was not entitled to the marriage settlement her father had made on her. “Did the Lady Colleen not come to you sufficiently dowered?” she forced herself to ask calmly. She felt a little numb. Even she was shocked, that she felt so little pain.

Ambrose’s expression struggled with the propriety of such a question. How easily outraged he was, she thought distractedly. Was he always so priggish and judgmental? She had used to think him a kind and decent man. She would use neither word about him now. “Perhaps you rushed into a decision that has had rather more repercussions than you originally envisaged, Sir Ambrose,” she wondered aloud.

“Not at all,” he bridled. “As a divorced wife you would not have had any claim on my estate! I would of course, have given you some small pension and one of the smaller properties to live out your days.” He pondered a moment. “Perhaps Morebrook Farm.”

Fen smiled. “But if we were never legally married, then neither Morebrook Farm or the other properties I bought to you, are yours to grant.” she pointed out gently.

He bridled. “This is outrageous! I am being robbed of what is rightfully mine, in full view of the King! And what’s more, everyone knows it!”

“That must be very lowering for you,” she said dampeningly. “Much like a wife who has been abandoned by an ungrateful spouse.”

He made an explosive exclamation of displeasure.

Fenella twitched her skirts, ignoring him.