if he’d been defrocked?”
As soon as she asked the question, Mr. Hanes’s Adam’s apple moved up and down like a bobber on a choppy lake. He swallowed before he continued, “Well, you see … the man owed a gambling debt to Lord Meriwether. Apparently, Mr. Foulkes and Lord Meriwether had quite a past together. After Mr. Foulkes was relieved of his position, he found a secluded church without much activity. Any weekly tithes, he collected for his own pocket. The elderly vicar assigned to the parish had recently retired. No one had taken his place as the congregation was so small.”
“But Katherine and I were there every Sunday when the banns were called,” Willa challenged.
“I’m sorry, but it makes no difference,” Mr. Hanes said to Katherine. “It wasn’t his church. He wasn’t a clergyman. When the banns were called, there was no one else in the church, no one else around to notice the … um … unusual activity.”
“Typical English,” Willa spat. “Should have had a handfasting. That would’ve made it legal.”
Mr. Hanes ignored the outburst. “Truly, I’m as devastated as you are.”
“I doubt that,” Willa muttered under her breath.
Katherine ignored the remark. “So, Mr. Hanes, you’re telling me that my husband arranged for this sham marriage?”
“Lord Meriwether was not your husband,” Mr. Hanes corrected.
“Pardon me. You mean there’s evidence to suggest the loathsome and irresponsible trigamist arranged such a sham marriage?”
Another awkward silence ensued.
“Mr. Hanes?” Katherine’s voice grew sharper as her anger began to boil. “Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Miss James…”
The sound of her real name felt like a slap across her face. But she held herself straight. “It’s Greer.”
The solicitor’s face froze. For an eternity, he didn’t say a word. “Another reason your marriage is invalid. You signed the license and the register as Katherine Elise Greer. But you’re Katherine Elise James from York.”
Willa moved to stand, but Kat stayed her with her hand. “How did you discover that?”
“The duke told me as we prepared the marriage settlement documents. You must use your legal name.” He shrugged. “The duke has secured a special license for your wedding. I really can’t say more as he wants to discuss the marriage ceremony in more detail with you.”
Somehow, Katherine found the fortitude to stand. “Does Christian know my marriage is invalid?”
“I wanted to see you first. You’re owed that much.” He picked up his leather pocket satchel where he kept his papers. “I’m off to see him now, then I’ll be telling Lady Meriwether the news as soon as I inform the duke. Such a shame that I have to tell him about this complication before the charity soiree.” He shook his head, his worry clear in his wrinkled brow. “His Grace has been a new man these last several weeks.” He pushed his eyeglasses up the bridge of his nose. “Actually taking an active interest in the duchy and its inner workings more than usual.”
Katherine stayed him with her hand. “Wait, Mr. Hanes. Tonight means a great deal to him. It’s everything he’s been working toward since he returned home. Could … you not wait to tell him until tomorrow?”
“I suppose,” he said, rubbing his chin. “I could see Lady Meriwether then as long as I’m here.”
She cringed at the title of Lady Meriwether. “She’s not been well.”
“I understand, Miss James.” He straightened the brim of his beaver hat. “But she needs to know straightaway. You see, if Lady Meriwether has a son, then under the duchy’s charter, the boy would be the duke’s heir. I need to tell her what has happened.” He headed toward the door. With his hand on the knob, he turned to Katherine. “I’m truly sorry for these upsetting circumstances. But this means your marriage to the duke can’t be challenged.”
She was afraid to ask the next question, but she had to know. “Will your staff keep their silence about this?”
“Of course. Never fear that, Miss James. Good day.” He nodded to Willa, then walked out the door.
Numb, Kat slumped in her chair. She wasn’t married to a duke’s son. She’d never been married at all. If she had the ability, she’d laugh at this cruel farce, but she was still trying to grapple with it all. Meri had said he shouldn’t have married her, and as fate would have it, his wish had come true. A little late for him to enjoy but, nevertheless, he wasn’t married to her and never had been.
One hot tear fell down her cheek.
Suddenly, Kat had a handkerchief