Page 105 of The Earl's Bluestocking Bride
“That harlot your husband is bedding.”
The scone scraped down the inside of Amelia’s throat and seemed to stick at the bottom. Tears prickled in her eyes.
“What did you say?” she whispered, unable to speak louder.
“The earl was spending time with a woman named Florence Giles. Apparently, she is the one who told the entire ton that he was broke and married you to refill his coffers.”
Amelia set her cup down. The scone too. Her handsshook badly, so she clenched them into fists, hoping no one would notice. The pain in her throat worsened.
Why did this hurt so much?
She’d known Andrew had a mistress before he’d married her. She’d even known who. He’d assured her that he wasn’t seeing her anymore, but if that was so, how could Miss Giles know why they’d married?
“Mia, are you all right?”
She blinked rapidly, swallowing the emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. Hearing her father’s nickname for her only reminded her of the one her husband had used, which now felt silly and false.
“Are you certain?” she asked her mother.
“Quite.” Mrs. Hart looked annoyed to be questioned. But then, she had always been good at sniffing out secrets.
“What’s going on in here?”
Her gaze flew to the doorway, where Andrew stood silhouetted against the gloom of the foyer. As soon as they locked eyes, a sort of knowing settled into his expression.
“You’ve heard,” he said.
“Heard what, my lord?” She wasn’t going to make this easy for him. Whatever had happened, he’d caused it, and she was going to make him admit that.
“Perhaps we should give you two some time to discuss this alone.” Mr. Hart rose, tugging on his wife’s hand.
She resisted. “But—”
Mr. Hart ducked his head near her ear and murmured something that Amelia couldn’t make out.
“Fine,” Mrs. Hart huffed. “But don’t think this is the end of the matter.”
Her father shot her an apologetic look as he escorted her mother out of the drawing room.
Amelia stood. Sitting felt too vulnerable when Andrew was on his feet.
“Are you still seeing Miss Giles?” she asked, proud of herself when her voice didn’t waver.
“No.” He took a step forward. “I’m not. I swear it. I want only you.”
She raised her chin. “Then how did she know that you were broke and married me for my dowry?”
A muscle in his jaw clenched. “Because I ended our relationship the night I discovered that I’d lost my fortune, and I told her I intended to search for a wife with a large dowry.”
CHAPTER 25
Amelia’s vision blurred,and she turned away from her husband. She couldn’t think straight. Not with him standing right there.
Now that she thought about it, it made sense that he’d ended his relationship with Miss Giles when he’d lost his money. She’d just never considered the circumstances and how and when their relationship had ended with much specificity.
Honestly, it had been easier and more pleasant not to dwell on it. And why should she, when it hadn’t seemed to matter?
Only now it turned out that perhaps it did matter.
