A Worthy Wife by Bárbara Metzger Read Free Book Online

perched on his hooked nose and tufts of white hair rimming his bald head. He had diplomas on the wall and law books on every inch of his desk. And he was no help at all.
    When Kenyon introduced Aurora as Miss McPhee, the young woman who had last fallen into Harland Podell’s coils, the lawyer looked at her with sympathy. “Ah, when you rode out in such a hurry, I had hoped you’d be in time to save the unfortunate female from such an unhappy hobble.”
    “Yes, well, we need to know about getting her marriage annulled.”
    “But I thought you understood, my lord, that a bigamist’s subsequent marriages are immediately null and void, by virtue of being illegal, the same as your sister’s. It’s as if it never took place, and any children of such a union are declared illegitimate by virtue of their parents not being wed. I am sorry, miss,” he said to Aurora.
    She tried to explain that it wasn’t that marriage they were trying to have set aside. “You see, another gentleman kindly stepped forward with a special license in time to avert a terrible scandal.”
    “Good for him. And for you, too, miss, I am sure.”
    “But then Miss McPhee decided they wouldn’t suit,” Kenyon put in, and went on in a hurry before she could interrupt. “The second marriage was not consummated either, of course, so there is no question of children.”
    “I see.” The solicitor polished his glasses, perhaps hoping to make good on his statement of understanding. To his mind, the female should be happy with a husband, any legitimate husband.
    Mr. Juckett wiped so hard at his spectacles, Aurora feared he’d wear the lenses away. “My lord, if I might speak to you in private?”
    Aurora raised her chin. “It is my marriage”—with a glare to Kenyon for not acknowledging his own participation in the event—“so I would hear what’s discussed.”
    Mr. Juckett looked for guidance to Lord Windham, who shrugged. The solicitor cleared his throat. “Yes, well, that’s a common misapprehension, it is, that…that non-consummation is proper grounds for annulment. But what the law means is that…ah, consummation shall be impossible to complete.”
    “Of course it is, with him staying across the hall.”
    Kenyon chuckled, which earned him glares from both Aurora and Mr. Juckett. The solicitor addressed Aurora, although his bald pate turned scarlet in embarrassment. “Physically impossible, as certified by examining physicians in the female’s case.”
    “Oh, dear,” Aurora whispered, knowing she would fail such a test, if she did not die of mortification.
    At the same time, Kenyon declared, “Miss McPhee shall not be subject to such indignities.”
    Mr. Juckett nodded. “Then the man must give a sworn avowal that he is, ah, incapable of fathering a child.”
    Kenyon groaned. He’d have to declare himself unmanned? Hellfire and damnation! And enough opera dancers could refute the claim. “Impossible.”
    “There is the insanity clause.” The solicitor steepled his fingers. “If you wouldn’t mind having yourself declared insane, Miss McPhee, you might still have the marriage set aside.”
    “Gammon, man, Miss McPhee may be addlepated for getting into the fix; she is not attics-to-let.”
    Aurora did not know whether to be pleased or insulted. She did know she was not alone in this sinking ship on the sea of matrimony, nor was she the only one fit for Bedlam. “Please, sir, there has to be another way.”
    Mr. Juckett rubbed the bridge of his nose, thinking. “Tell me, miss, did your parents agree to this marriage?”
    “My parents are long dead. My aunt and uncle formally adopted me years ago, and, yes, they witnessed the marriage ceremony.”
    “And did you give your own true name?”
    “Of course.”
    He shook his head. “Then I am afraid you were legally married, and married you shall stay.”
    The earl sighed and stood. “Then, Mr. Juckett, I take great pleasure in presenting you to Aurora Warriner, Countess of