Page 146 of He's the One

“First of all, he wanted us to know who you were associating with. He said he’d been unaware of the man’s history and was disgusted. But if you stop seeing him, then Murray won’t speak to anyone.”

The marquess looked furious and Col’s heart sank.

“It’s not only that you need to end this relationship,” she continued. “He told me that the foster parents of this man are—”

“Two of the kindest people I’ve ever met.”

“But they’re—”

“Don’t you dare say it.” Theo’s voice was as cold and hard as Col had ever heard it. “Don’t you fu… I won’t have it. Bad enough that you don’t care for anyone but yourself, but don’t be racist as well.”

“I’m not racist. But are you aware that they’re black? Asquith’s ancestry can—”

“No,” Theo snapped. “Don’t go there.”

“This is not acceptable,” said Theo’s grandmother.

Col shook his head in disbelief.

The marquess squeezed Col’s shoulder before pushing the door fully open. He beckoned Col to follow him.

“What’s happening?” the marquess asked.

Col only managed a couple of steps into the room before he stopped walking.

Theo hurried to his side and whispered, “Did I saypenguin?”

“You thought it.” Col slid his hand into Theo’s.

“I had a disturbing call this morning.” The marchioness glanced at Col who was still clinging to Theo, and she glared. “His brother is in prison for murdering their parents.”

“I know,” said Theo’s father.

Only because he’d been listening at the door, but the shock on his wife’s face was clear.

“And I know why he did it,” the marquess continued, “and I also know it has nothing whatsoever to do with you or your mother. Nor does the skin colour of Col’s foster parents.”

“Your son’samuse boucheis a common bricklayer.” The older woman sitting in a chair by the window stared straight at Col as she spoke. “Theo could at least choose someone with class, but then you’ve not set the best of examples.”

The marquess’s jaw tightened. He looked at his wife and huffed. “No. I didn’t.”

“Really!” his wife retorted.

“Theo is polite and kind and fun,” said his father. “That he still has that element of joy about him is a miracle considering what he’s had to put up with. He’s only twenty-one years old, but he’s old enough to know what he wants. He had a difficult childhood at times, not helped by either of you. Nor me. I should have been a better father. I failed him. I won’t fail him anymore.”

Theo let out a shaky breath.

The marquess sucked in his cheeks as he regarded his wife. “We’re done. I’m not going to let Theo go through what I went through. I should have stopped the Charlotte plan before the pair of you ran away with it. I’ve put up with this far longer than I should have. You and your mother will leave this house today. You can stay in the London apartment until you’ve found somewhere suitable to live. Or you can move in with your current paramour. He’s welcome to you both.”

It took Col a moment to register what the marquess was saying to his wife and mother-in-law. Judging by the shocked gasps and pallor of his wife’s face, she was having trouble taking it in too.

“But—” she began.

“You can ask members of staff if they wish to leave with you. I doubt they’ll want to go but I will loan you Sarah, if she’s willing, to help you with your personal belongings, to act as housekeeper and assist you to settle into your new home when you find one. It will not be a permanent position. And if she says no, you will accept that.”

“You’re a fool,” said Theo’s grandmother.

“Ihavebeen a fool to put up with this for so long. A fool and a coward, but this is the moment I change. I’ll instruct my lawyers to begin divorce proceedings.”

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