Page 76 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“That’s not what the paper says.”
“The paper is gossip and gossip cannot betrusted.”
“Ah, but there’s always a little truth inthese pages,” he said, tossing it down. “And even if he isn’tsniffing around, I’m sure you’d like to be rid of your poor husbandby now, wouldn’t you?”
“Where have you been?” she asked, ignoringhim. “Why did you write me? Why now?”
“Can’t you guess?” She shook her head. “I’vecome to collect my penance for having been banished these pastyears.”
“Banished?”
“Yes. You’re dearly deceased brother-in-law,the earl, threatened me with bodily harm should I keep my feet onEnglish soil. I left, obviously due to the threats, but when Itried to return upon his death, I was met with a similar agitationfrom my own family.”
Meredith had always suspected that Sarah andher husband had a hand in Clyde’s disappearance, but she didn’tknow to what extent.
“I didn’t know.”
“Didn’t you?” he sneered. “I suspect myfather had been bullied into it by your harpy of a sister.”
“Don’t you dare speak of her that way,”Meredith said, snapping out of her thoughts. “And I truly did notknow.”
“Yes, well, I returned to the continent andhad to wait until my dear old parents went to their final reward.They wouldn’t have me, but Percy, well, he thought our parents werebeing unreasonable. After all, what had I really done that was soterrible?”
“You tricked me into marrying you and thenabandoned me in Scotland for starters,” Meredith grounded out.
“Tricked you? My dear, you were more thanwilling, if I recall,” he said, his eyes drifting down the front ofher dress. Meredith pulled her shawl tightly around her, whichcaused Clyde to laugh. “Have no fear, my dear. You’ve quiteoutgrown my tastes.”
Feeling both ill and horrified, Meredithstood up, not wanting to be in his presence a second longer.
“What do you want from me, Clyde?” she askedas she tried to keep her voice low. “A divorce?”
“I told you, I’m not here for me. I’m herefor you.” He stood as well, stepping towards her. “What do youwant, Meredith? To marry your Sir Kent? To finally be rid of me?Now wouldn’t that be a dream?”
“I have no desire to marry Sir Kent,” shesaid quickly. “But yes. I do wish to be rid of you.”
“Then it will cost you,” he said as his handcame up, waving off her words about not wanting to marry Sir Kent.“Or at the very least, my continued silence will.”
One thin finger touched the edge of her jawand she flinched, taking a step back. Lord above, she didn’t wantto be touched by him.
“Excuse me?” she asked. “Are youblackmailing me?”
“Such an ugly term, don’t you think?” hesaid, before adding. “Yes, though, I am.”
“What do you want?”
“I think a couple thousand pounds would setme up right,” he said as she balked. His eyes squinted. “Betteryet, make it an even five thousand.”
“I don’t have that much.”
“No, but your new brother-in-law does,doesn’t he?” he sneered. “Quite a capable harlot, your sister, tomarry another rich man.”
Furious indignation bristled throughoutMeredith’s body. How dare he talk about her sister like that. Andwhere was she going to get five thousand pounds?
“You-you are a bastard,” she said,whispering the curse.
“Easy, my dear, or someone here might hearyou.” He winked and her stomach turned. “Do we have a deal?”
“How do I know you’ll give me what Iwant?”
