Page 85 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“It doesn’t really matter what you think,daughter. The law is on my side.”
“Not for long,” Simon said, standing up.
That earned Simon a vicious glare from Mrs.Taylor. She practically seethed at him.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m going to petition that Beatrice beplaced in Sarah’s and my protection.”
“I’ll never allow it!” she screamed, pullingBeatrice behind her. “Let’s go.”
“But Mama—”
“Now!”
“Mama!” Sarah tried as Simon came up behindher.
“I am not your mama anymore!” she bit out asshe dragged Beatrice from the room, leaving the rest of them inshock.
Beatrice had said that their mama hadseemingly lost her senses, but Meredith had never believed that itwould come to this. She glanced at Sarah, who was having adifficult time keeping her bottom lip from shaking. Simon pulledher into a tight hug and whispered gently into her ear.
“I know,” Sarah mumbled, wiping a rogue tearaway on his sleeve.
“I think Beatrice was right,” Meredith saidafter a few moments. “Mama is not herself anymore.”
“I’ll see to it that the lawyers areinvolved this afternoon,” Simon said, nodding at Meredith. “Thatwas kind of you to defend us.”
Meredith felt her cheeks flare.
“I didn’t say anything that was untrue.”
Simon nodded and pulled Sarah back to thetable. They tried to resume their breakfast, but it appeared theyhad all lost their appetites. Simon began to read the paper, whileSarah stirred her tea endlessly. After a few moments, a servantcame in to deliver the mail. Simon put down his paper and tookseveral letters out of the footman’s hand.
One by one he read them. When he had reachedthe second to last one, he held up the last, large package. Hesighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes, beforepinching the bridge of his nose. Meredith could tell that he wastired, but there seemed to be something else plaguing him. Sheglanced at Sarah, who was obviously worried about her husband.
“Are you feeling all right, dear?” Sarahasked him.
“Fine,” he said, shaking his head. “Justwork.”
“I hope everything is all right?”
“Actually, I’m a little out of sorts.” Hepaused and when Meredith lifted her gaze up, he gave her asearching look. “I’m afraid the workload has been a little heavylately and it seems it will be doubled these next six months.” Hishand reached for a large, folded missive. “This is for you,Meredith. Something from the offices.”
“For me?”
“Yes, from Jack.”
“What is it?” Sarah asked.
Meredith opened up the letter and sawseveral legal documents fall onto the table. Divorce papers infact, with all her information on them. Her eyes went wide as shesorted through them, including finding a page from the church ofEngland stating that her marriage had been annulled due todesertion.
Shaking, she picked up the last paper andreread the words carefully. Her marriage to Clyde Peterson had beenannulled. She was free.
Free.
She could hardly believe it. Tears blurredher vison as she looked up to see a startled Sarah.
“My dear, are you all right?” Sarah asked,but Meredith only nodded, unable to speak. “Simon, what’s going on?And isn’t it good that the business will be so busy?”
