Chapter 11

Matthias knew it probably grated that he was the very image of their father. It made it impossible to deny his paternity. Hugh, on the other hand, resembled his fair mother. “Might I inquire as to the health of your family? Or would that be considered sarcasm.” Hugh, of course, had done his duty to the title, getting himself a pretty, proper wife and three children.

“They are all in excellent health,” Hugh replied, as if that were only to be expected.

“And your mother?” This was asked with a touch more sincerity, as the Dowager Marchioness was one of the few people Matthias felt any real regard for. Although his father had never treated her cruelly, Matthias knew it could not have been easy to watch her husband engage in a very passionate, very public affair with the Countess of Windstone year after year. Despite all that, she had never treated Matthias with anything other than kindness and even some degree of warmth.