Page 66 of The Odyssean Duke

“I am unconcerned with having to wait a couple of weeks to have an heir,” Evelina said. “Stephan is fine with us needing a little more time as well.”

At least, he said that he was. Evelina could not deny that a tiny spark of doubt burned inside her chest. Was her husband at that moment growing impatient with her? Was he regretting their choice to marry?

If she could not produce his heir, she wondered what his recourse would be. Would he choose to have their marriage annulled, as if it had never happened? That would not be the end of Evelina’s plans. If her husband decided that he no longer desired her, she could try her initial plan again, of finding a man of no rank or wealth and of using him to produce a child.

The thought that he might abandon her stung, though. Her Grace’s cruel words rang in Evelina’s mind, mocking her with the possibility. Evelina was uncertain that her pride wouldsurvive such an injury if Stephan truly did choose to leave her. Worse, she would not even be able to blame him for it. He desperately needed an heir, and she had promised to give him one.

“It is an unusual situation,” Maria said suddenly. “That clause about needing an heir so quickly is so strange!”

Evelina frowned, remembering how Mrs. Newbury had described the late Duke of Rothbury and everything she had heard about him. The picture she painted was of a generous and flawed man, one who lost himself to grief but who genuinely loved his son.

“It is strange,” Evelina mused. “Given how fond the late duke was of Stephan, I find it difficult to understand why he would place such a strict stipulation on Stephan inheriting the dukedom. Even if an heir is necessary, why only afford Stephan a year?”

“Perhaps, the late duke’s solicitor can offer some insight?” Rosalind suggested.

“Perhaps,” Evelina said, sighing. “Last week, Stephan visited his solicitor to ensure that everything was properly settled.”

“And is it?” Theodora asked. “If not, perhaps Alexander can be of assistance.”

Evelina shook her head. “I sent word to my own solicitor. He will arrive in an hour to discuss the matter with me, and I will ask him about it. Perhaps, I am being overly cautious, but I think it is best to proceed with caution.”

Doubtlessly, the Dowager Duchess of Rothbury would be exceedingly careful. Evelina would not let herself be bested by a little clever wording in a contract.

“Good,” Theodora said, smiling. “I am relieved to hear that. Of course, I know that you are clever, but I still worry about you.”

Evelina’s heart swelled with love for her sister. “I know, but I promise everything will be fine. Now, I have been sick for this past week and starved for companionship. Let’s speak about something happier.”

* * *

The Corset Chronicles Club concluded their meeting precisely fifteen minutes before Evelina’s solicitor arrived. While Evelina had used the services of several solicitors over the years, she most often called upon Christopher Black. He was a young man, but he was reliable and clever. Most pertinently, he did not condescend to her for being a woman. He respected her intelligence and took her quite seriously.

At present, he was seated across from her, listening intently while she detailed Her Grace’s visit. When she was finished, Mr. Black looked thoughtful and leafed through the stack of papers he had brought with him. “There is something to whatthe Dowager Duchess of Rothbury has said,” Mr. Black said. “Because she has been made a trustee of the dukedom, she could—indeed—refuse to give you an allowance and the house if you fail to produce an heir.”

Evelina furrowed her brow. “But I would have my own money, wouldn’t I? From my marriage to the Earl of Thornwall?”

“You would,” he said. “I have made certain of that, and I am confident that the agreement is iron-clad in that regard.”

Evelina hummed. “That is a relief,” she said.

Mr. Black smiled wryly. “I would not leave you unable to live comfortably; I assure you of that, Your Grace.”

“I know you would not,” Evelina said, “but Her Grace presents a clever and determined foe. I cannot keep from worrying about what she might try.”

“That is understandable,” Mr. Black said. “Given what I have heard of the Dowager Duchess of Rothbury, you are right to be wary, Your Grace.”

Evelina furrowed her brow. “Something occurred to me today. I do not suppose you knew the late duke?”

Mr. Black smiled ruefully. “I never had the pleasure, Your Grace.”

“Nor did I,” Evelina said. “However, I have heard that he was a kind, but fragile man. After his wife died, it seems as though he lost himself to grief. But I have heard that he loved his son, my husband, very much.”

Mr. Black nodded, his brow furrowed with thought. “What are you thinking, Your Grace?”

“I find it strange that a man like that would place such an absurd clause in the contract,” Evelina said.

Mr. Black shrugged. “I am uncertain what to say, Your Grace. It is a strange clause; I will grant you that. However, it is in the contract. Your husband only has a year to produce an heir.”

“Right,” Evelina said. “Is there no way to escape that clause? If my husband and I cannot produce this heir, will we have any recourse?”