Read Online Two Wrongs Make a Marriage by Christine Merrill - Free Book Online Page B

prodded. ‘Why did you keep such a secret as that? Were you ashamed of him?’
    ‘Do not think that by my change in behaviour, I mean to deny a moment of my marriage to my Catherine, for I loved her as best I could and was faithful while she lived. I loved my son as well.’ He said it hurriedly, as if he could not wait to reassure her. Then, there was another guilty pause before he began again. ‘But when I returned, it seemed easier to tell no one that I had lost my little boy, along with his mother. There had always been rumours about my habits and doubts about my commitment to the marriage. I knew I was obligated to provide an heir to carry on the name and title, and I had done so. But I had not the heart to do it twice.’
    ‘But you did not have to marry again, or to have another child.’ The ton would hardly be surprised to find that the child had died along with the mother. They had been halfway to convincing themselves that Spayne was a victim of tragedy. What would one more detail matter?
    ‘I could make Henry my heir,’ Spayne said with disgust. ‘He has always chafed under the unfairness of being the second son. You cannot imagine what it is like to know that your own flesh and blood sees you not as a brother, but as an obstacle.’ Spayne frowned. ‘Things eased when he was removed one further step from the title. But then, I lost little Jack... I knew, when my brother heard of it, all the troubles would start again. But if people thought that I had a delicate child who was being educated abroad...’ He shrugged in embarrassment. ‘At the time, it seemed the lesser of two evils. It was foolish. I was wrong. The more time passed, the more difficult it was to admit the truth. And then Henry demanded to meet the man that stood between him and the title. He had become convinced that the real Kenton was dead. And he began to apply pressure to me.’
    ‘What sort of pressure?’ Thea asked, truly curious what there might be that could frighten a man with so much power.
    ‘At first, it was merely an exposure of my habits.’
    ‘It is a crime,’ Thea agreed. ‘You could hang for it.’
    ‘But that is not likely.’ Spayne gave her a knowing smile. ‘That part of my nature has been an open secret for some time. Since I know certain facts about others, we are all agreed to keep mum and look the other way. While Henry might think he could ruin me, he is mostly a nuisance. But it would be an embarrassment to have my own brother making accusations. So I paid to quiet him, increasing his monthly portion each time he threatened. Over the years, Henry’s silence has grown into one of my largest monthly expenses.’ Spayne frowned. ‘But of late, he would not stop asking about Kenton. And his insinuations have taken a much darker tone. He was hinting that my son was dead and that I was the cause of it. If I did not give him all I have, he would see me swing for murder.’
    ‘Blackmail?’ Thea said, shocked.
    ‘I was sure it would not be enough. He wants the title—and for that I must die.’
    ‘You owed him nothing,’ Thea insisted. ‘The accusations are false.’
    ‘I have been lying about so much for so long, it would be laughable to stand in court and reveal, on my word of honour, that the boy is dead, but I am innocent of it.’
    ‘And so you found Jack.’ Thea rubbed her temple, trying to organise her thoughts. It was a mad plan. But the more she listened to it, delivered in the patient voice of the Earl, the more sensible it seemed. All the more proof that Miss Pennyworth had been right. Honesty was the jewel in the crown of character if lying caused so much trouble. ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave,’ she muttered.
    Jack made a face. ‘Leave off quoting Scott, my sweet, and go back to Shakespeare. “Assume a virtue, if you have it not.”’
    ‘And that is what you are doing?’ she said, eyeing Jack with suspicion. ‘It sounds more like deception to me.’
    ‘Either way, it has been