Chapter 109

Splendor dragged on her shoes, ruined after last night's storm. Unwearable in fact. She'd have to buy a new pair now with what pitiful money she'd left and not look on it as an extravagance either.Well, she'd pawn his bloody watch. Good for Topaz for stealing it. If only she'd stolen more. That check. The contents of his wallet. Imagine ruining these shoes. What utter folly.Over him.She should just have paid Mrs. Hanney to say she'd left London instead of running like a chicken with legs but no head, brain, anything of worth. What was there in Oxford for her, or Topaz exactly?

"Oh don't look so terror-stricken." He stopped pacing. "It will be in name only, the marriage, the divorce, and you living with me. Don't expect anything from me."

"I don't."

"Certainly not by way of any settlement. Once bled dry in life is quite enough."

"Oh, don't pretend, Your Grace. You must be rich as Croesus to fork out ten thousand pounds for one night."