The Wagered Wife by Wilma Counts Page B

knew exactly when her view had changed.
    She had been about six months into her pregnancy when the Jeffries family had taken the first step to be rid of her. As heir to the Wyndham title, Trevor’s brother Gerald had thought to lend his importance to the solicitor’s presence when that gentleman called at Atherton.
    Caitlyn and Lady Gertrude had received the two visitors together. After greetings, Gerald said, “Um . . . Mrs. Jeffries, I wonder if we may speak with you privately of a family matter?” Caitlyn could tell he hated according her the Jeffries name.
    Apprehensive, she looked at Lady Gertrude, who shrugged and excused herself, giving Caitlyn an encouraging pat on the shoulder as she left, saying, “I shall be in the next room, my dear.” Gerald nodded to the solicitor, a man of some fifty or sixty years, who was dressed soberly and seemed ingratiatingly eager to please his client.
    The lawyer cleared his throat. “Hmm. Yes. Now—it is our belief that your . . . uh . . . husband informed you of his and his family’s wishes?”
    â€œTheir wishes?” Caitlyn refused to make this easy for them.
    â€œRegarding a divorce.” The lawyer’s tone was patient and condescending.
    â€œOh. A divorce is out of the question.” Unconsciously, she placed her hand on her stomach. “I do not know the Jeffries family history well, but divorce is simply unknown in my family.”
    She saw a deep flush suffuse Gerald’s features. “Now see here, madam. This so-called marriage is a ridiculous embarrassment to my family.”
    â€œThe marriage was not of my making,” she said, keeping her voice calm, “but I am assured it is perfectly legal.”
    â€œWell, yes,” the lawyer said, “and as such may be legally—and I may say quietly—dissolved.”
    â€œIt will be quietly dissolved only if I quietly agree. I do not agree.” She enunciated each word very precisely.
    The color deepened in Gerald’s face as he asked, “How much?”
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    â€œI said, ‘How much?’ My father and I are prepared to pay to have this problem go away. How much?”
    â€œThe ‘problem,’ as you put it, is not going to go away.” Caitlyn felt the babe move as though to confirm its interest in the discussion. “I do not mean to be rude, sir, but I fail to see how you are concerned at all.”
    Gerald looked nearly apoplectic as he said stiffly, “I speak for the Earl of Wyndham in saying it is simply unacceptable that our name be involved in such a distasteful affair.”
    Not knowing quite how to respond to this, Caitlyn remained silent, so Gerald went on, “You may congratulate yourself that the scheme you and Fiske manufactured has proved so lucrative. I ask you again—how much?”
    â€œYou, sir, are insulting. I believe this interview is over.” She tried to rise gracefully, but in her condition that proved impossible.
    â€œPlease. Just a moment, Mrs. Jeffries,” the lawyer said in a conciliatory tone. “I would ask you to reconsider. The earl is prepared to give you enough to allow you to go to the American colonies, where you may begin your life all over. And to provide adequately for your child.”
    â€œOh, I see.” She could not quell the sarcasm. “All I have to do is hang a label of illegitimacy on my babe.”
    â€œNo one need ever know.” The lawyer looked at Gerald, who nodded, and the two of them rose. “We shall leave you now, madam. I would urge you to consider carefully the earl’s generous offer. Next time he may not be so magnanimous.”
    When they had gone, Caitlyn railed against these two—as well as the earl and her uncle and, finally and most vehemently, against her absent husband.
    â€œMy dear, such strong emotion is not good for your babe,” Aunt Gertrude cautioned.
    â€œHe—or she—may