Page 88 of The Beauty and the Boxer
She turned away from him almost as if shewere ashamed. After a deep breath, she looked back at him and hewas surprised that he saw anger in her eyes.
“Why did you leave me that money?” sheasked. “It was an obscene amount.”
“I wanted you to have it.”
“But why? I already owe you so much.”
He was shaking his head before she finishedher sentence.
“You don’t owe me anything,” he said, butshe was shaking her head.
“I do. I owe you everything,” she started.She turned away as she continued. “The money you gave me. I neededit because I was being blackmailed. By Clyde Peterson.” He took astep towards her, but she held her hands up. “Please. Let me finishor I’ll never be able to get it out.”
Jack stilled.
“Go on.”
“Clyde had read that I was attached to SirKent and thought to make some capital. He had our divorce papersdrawn up, but then…” She paused. “Why did you have them?”
Jack wasn’t sure what to say.
“What was so ridiculous about that money?”he asked, ignoring her question. “It was a finder’s fee I usuallymake on investments. I thought you could use it, along with yourinvestment, to buy that cottage you wanted.”
“But I don’t want a cottage.”
“You don’t?”
“No. I thought I did, or maybe I do, butit’s not what I want now.” Jack didn’t speak, unable to believewhat she was saying. She took a step towards him. “Tell me how yougot my divorce papers.”
This was it, Jack thought. He’d tell herwhat he did and she would be furious for handling it the way hedid. He took a deep breath. So be it.
“I went to have a visit with yourex-husband,” he said, being sure to use the correct term. “He hadindulged me in a plan that should he ever need more money, that hisball and chain would pay up because the divorce he had told herabout wasn’t factual.”
Meredith inhaled sharply.
“It wasn’t?”
“No. Upon learning of his plan, I escortedhim out of the Swan on Stokes, where he decided after a very shortpersuasive discussion to leave England, once and for all.”
“Leave?” she repeated. “Where did hego?”
“Australia. Left on a ship last night.”
“Australia?”
“Yes, and before he left, he stopped by mylawyer’s office. I had my man draw up the papers and he signedthem, in front of witnesses. I thought you’d appreciate a note fromthe church as well, dissolving the union.”
“But how did you manage that? A documentfrom the church would take weeks—”
“Everyone has a price.” He paused. “I justwanted you to be free of him, Meredith.”
A glistening shine appeared in her eyes asher hand came up to her mouth.
“You did that all, for me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
