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Chapter Thirty-Three
“Ahem!” Edwina glared at them.
The couple immediately sprang apart when they heard her, the red-faced Earl muttering a greeting and something that sounded like an apology before quickly fleeing the room. Roxanne, on the other hand only jutted out her chin in defiance, daring Edwina to confront her, her gaze spiteful as usual.
A part of Edwina wanted to ignore the temptation of a confrontation, but the other part of her pushed her to say, "If it were any other person, I would not care because it is no concern of mine, but you are married to my brother, and carrying out such discourtesy in my Mansion will not be tolerated. You married him on this property, andwithmy husband’s blessing."
"MyMansion," Roxanne echoed, laughing. "I wonder for how long, though."
"I beg your pardon?" her words unsettled Edwina, and she clenched her hands into fists.
"If your cowardly brother had bothered to consummate our marriage and given me my right as his wife, then I would not be seeking comfort from another man.” Roxanne chose to excuse her actions rather than elaborate on her cryptic comment.
"This does not justify such betrayal," Edwina returned.
"Why do you even care? I never saw two siblings that hate each other more." Roxanne sat on a sofa and folded her hands primly on her lap.
"I do not hate my brother, Roxanne. I will admit that he was difficult to live with, but I never hated him."
Whatever Prudence had said about Tommen's birth did not matter. Legally, he was a Pierce. He was her brother, and always would be. "Whatever liaisons you choose to have can wait until you are no longer at Hersings, Roxanne," Edwina added.
"Oh? Whatever liaisons Ichoose?” She stood and came to stand in front of Edwina. “If I can choose my liaisons, then I can choose where and when to have them.”
"Excellent. You can have them in London because that is where we are traveling to tomorrow,” a voice said from behind Edwina. Roxanne stiffened. Tommen walked into the room. "Are most of your lovers not there?”
"What do you mean we are traveling to London?" Roxanne asked him, her face blanching.
"We need to commence the process of annulling our marriage, Darling," Tommen replied sweetly, as if it was the most ordinary thing to say.
"I told you there is not going to be an annulment,Darling," Roxanne returned through gritted teeth.
"You wish to still remain married to this solicitor's son?" Tommen asked, pointing at himself.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Oh, I did I forget to mention it?" He smiled. "You see, Roxanne, Mercer was only my father legally. My true father, the person whose blood flows in my veins is but a solicitor. The late Viscount Mercer's solicitor to be exact.
Roxanne’s eyes bulged out of her face, and she gaped. “You cannot mean that.”
"You may ask my mother about it if you do not believe me.” He crossed his arms over his chest with a grin on his face. Edwina knew there was disappointment and pain behind that grin, but she was glad he had accepted the truth.
Roxanne looked stricken. "Filth!" she cried. "I cannot believe I almost gave myself to a solicitor's bastard."
Edwina winced at the harshness of her words. "Youaremarried to a solicitor’s bastard, though. It is unfortunate that you are not bearing his true name, whatever that is,"Tommen said. "And I seem to recall that just a moment ago, you were complaining about this bastard's refusal to bed you."
Roxanne was red with fury. She turned to Edwina and opened her mouth as if she wanted her to say something in her defense, but then she huffed and brushed past her, stomping out of the room.
"You should gather your belongings, Darling," Tommen called after her. "We leave at first light."
"Are you certain you wish to leave tomorrow?” Edwina asked him. "I am arranging a ball," she said, realizing that she truly wanted him to be there. "It would be my introduction as the Duchess of Rowan. I should like for you to be there, Tommen."
He considered this for a moment, then shook his head. "Our lingering will only cause you more trouble, Edwina. It would be best if we left."
"I disagree.”
"But Mother—”
"I can tolerate her for a few more days. Besides, I rarely have time for encounters with her now." Albert and Hersings were very good at keeping her occupied, especially Albert. While he insured her nights were filled with wonder and pleasure, the Mansion and their guests demanded her attention during the day.
