Page 13 of The Lyon’s Paw

All three heads snapped toward the figure in black, Diana’s neck popping loudly. “Divorce is almost impossible to obtain.”

“Almost, but not quite.” The woman’s words had a smile in them, as though she knew something no one else did.

“If Miss Edgerton wished to divorce me, she’d have to prove both infidelity and cruelty.” Lord Longford sounded as though he might be considering how the thing could be done. “It might be easier for me to divorce her. Then all I’d have to prove was infidelity.”

“Which you could never do.” Diana was appalled at the thought. She didn’t wish to marry the man, but if she did, she’d not be disloyal to him. “Couldn’t we just have the marriage annulled? If we married, there would be no consummation.”

“That is not so easy, my dear.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon shook her head. “Non-consummation alone is not grounds for annulment. Lord Longford would need to be proved…incapable of bedding you.”

“Hah!” His lordship’s sharp laugh made Diana jump. “No one could ever prove such a thing, even if my appetites were not well known in London.”

Diana’s cheeks heated until she wished for a fan to cool herself. She didn’t like to be reminded of Lord Longford’s appetites.

“I’m certain your virility is well known in Society, my lord.” Mrs. Dove-Lyons’s voice had a hint of merriment in it. “So divorce is a much better option.” The figure in black headed to her desk and pulled what looked like a letter from a tall stack of papers. “Just not in England.”

“What…what do you mean?” Diana found herself clutching her throat. She glanced at Lord Longford, whose frown made him look less like a toad and more like a gargoyle.

“This is a letter from a dear friend of mine. She made an excellent marriage, or so she thought. She wasn’t one of my clients or I would never have married her to the man. Still, she stuck it out for five long years of cruel abuse, only to find the English courts unsympathetic to her petition for a divorce. Her husband then dragged her over the pond to America following some land deal in the state of Pennsylvania. From her letters to me, I know she was even more unhappy there. But eventually her fortunes turned as the man left her and took up with another woman.” Mrs. Dove-Lyons’s head moved from Diana’s face to Lord Longford. “After several years alone, she fell in love—again—with a gentleman who actually does deserve her it seems, but of course she is still married to the man who abandoned her.”

Interested in spite of herself, Diana leaned forward. “What did she do?”

“She wrote telling me she’s petitioning for divorce from her husband on grounds of desertion, which is a valid claim in Pennsylvania.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon shrugged. “She has only to wait a few more months—that state requires the spouse to be abandoned for at least four years—so she expects to be rid of her first husband in the new year and married to the second one shortly thereafter.”

“That’s all there is to it?” Lord Longford seemed suddenly very interested in the lady’s words. Diana was more than a little intrigued herself. “And English law will uphold the divorce decree?”

“Much as England hates to admit it, America is a sovereign country. We want laws governing our citizens—such as marriage—to be acknowledged by them, so we in turn recognize theirs.” Mrs. Dove-Lyons shrugged. “My friend has resided in the state of Pennsylvania long enough to establish residency there. She and her estranged husband are obviously not together and the state acknowledges that. The case for divorce is heard in the civil court there, not an ecclesiastical one. It makes all the difference, or so she says.”

“Can I see her letter, please?” Diana held her hand out and Mrs. Dove-Lyons gave it to her. Diana perused the letter, marveling at how casually the lady spoke of the petition for divorce. Here in England, the subject was anathema. Still, this scheme could solve the major impediment to their marrying. Finally, she looked up into the dark eyes of Lord Longford. “If you are willing to allow me to divorce you once we reach America, then I believe we can reach an accord, my lord.”

“I assume we would both need to travel to America for this scheme to work.” His brows dipped fearfully over Lord Longford’s nose. “We would need to be seen as a married couple for a period of time, then I would desert you and return to England. You would remain in Pennsylvania for whatever length of time the law demands, then petition for divorce.” A brooding shadow seemed to touch his face, then suddenly vanished to be replaced by a charming smile. “I think it is an admirable plan, my dear. If you are willing to put it in motion, I am as well.”

Sighing in blessed relief, Diana returned his smile. “I am, my lord, thank you.” Perhaps something good was going to come from that awful day in June after all. “Do you think you can secure the special license this afternoon?” She glanced at the clock on the mantle, whose hands said it was almost four o’clock. “There’s not much time, as I must be married by tomorrow in order to comply with my uncle’s will.”

With a smug grin, Lord Longford pulled a long sheet of parchment from inside his blue superfine coat. “I took the liberty of securing this yesterday.” The grin widened. “I am nothing if not prepared.”

Diana had to give the devil his due. Lord Longford had thought of everything. Well, almost everything. “But we will need to find a clergyman willing to marry us on such short—”

Lord Longford held up a finger, his eyes twinkling. “Mrs. Dove-Lyon was kind enough to procure, at my request, the services of a vicar of a nearby parish. He is waiting for us, in the…?” He looked inquiringly at the lady in black.

“In the Ladies’ Parlor, my lord.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon motioned toward the door.

“There is the matter of the settlements.” Diana looked at her prospective bridegroom and pulled a sheaf of papers from her folder. “They tie the money up so only I am in control of it.”

“We discussed this earlier, Miss Edgerton.” His lordship sounded testy again. “I am in full agreement with that stipulation.”

“But will you be as acquiescent to the further condition that the marriage never be consummated?”

Lord Longford stared at her, then his mouth twitched. “Believe it or not, Miss Edgerton, I am perfectly content to agree to that specification. It will be no more of a hardship for me than I assume it will be for you.”

Feeling as though she’d been insulted, although not quite sure how, Diana laid the papers on the desk before him. “Do you have a pen, Mrs. Dove-Lyon?”

“But of course.” The lady pushed pen and ink toward Lord Longford who bent over the desk and signed as nonchalantly as though he gave away vast fortunes every day. He straightened and dropped the pen onto the polished mahogany wood. “Done.”

“Now, if you will follow me, my lord, Mrs. Beaumont, Miss Edgerton I believe we will have you married in good time to satisfy your uncle’s will.” The lady made as if to leave, then turned back to Diana, who had been gathering the precious settlement papers back into the folder. She must get these to Mr. Boniface as quickly as possible. “The fee for my services can be made once you’ve received your inheritance, Miss Edgerton.”

“The fee?” Diana cut her gaze to Aunt Frances. “How much—”

“Do not fret, my dear.” Her aunt took her arm, propelling her into the hall. “You will be well able to afford it this time tomorrow.”