He paused. “And my second announcement is that I’ve decided to end this farce and take matters into my own hands. I have made my own choice of heir and I shall be meeting with my solicitor to find out the procedure for adopting him.”

Edwina rose to her feet. “What did you say?” she demanded.

“You have been badgering me for years to produce an heir, Mother, so I have finally granted your wish. I have decided to adopt the person I wish to be my heir. I will not let this dukedom go to an uncouth, uncivilized member of the hoi polloi.”

“You’re really going to do it, Ceddy?” Adrian asked, his face alight with excitement. “We thought it was just a joke. We never dreamed you’d go through with it. What a coup.”

“Who is this person you have decided to adopt?” Edwina asked.

“Yes, who is it, Ceddy?” The Starlings were looking at each other with excited anticipation.

“It’s Marcel,” Cedric said.

“What?” Adrian shrieked.

“And who might Marcel be?” Edwina demanded.

“His valet,” Simon said, sounding near to tears. “A nasty, common, little Frenchman. How could you, Ceddy? We thought at least it would be one of us.”

“You just like me for the sort of lifestyle I can give you,” Cedric said. He had a self-satisfied grin on his face now. “Marcel is truly devoted to me.”

“A French valet?” Edwina demanded. “Are you mad?”

“Better a French valet than an Australian farm worker. He comes from an aristocratic family that lost everything in the revolution. He has good blood.”

“Good blood.” Edwina spat out the words. “At least John is your own flesh and blood—your brother’s child.”

“So his mother claimed,” Cedric said. “Obviously John was the best choice among the many contenders for father of her brat.”

“How dare you!” Jack leaped up. “I warned you before not to insult my mother. You take that back.”

He started round the table toward Cedric.

“Stop him,” Cedric said to the footmen standing behind us, who were staring at us in horror and fascination. They made a halfhearted grab at Jack, who attempted to fight them off.

“Sit down, John,” Edwina said in her powerful voice. Jack hesitated then backed off, standing undecided at the back of the room. Edwina drew herself up to her full height, sticking out that impressive bosom. “This is madness, Cedric. It cannot be allowed to happen.”

“I don’t think there’s much you can do, Mother. There are legal precedents aplenty.”

“We will have you declared insane if we have to.”

“Good luck. Try it. I’ll enjoy the fight,” Cedric said. “You and Father always claimed I was spineless and lacked imagination. Now I suspect that I’ll have the last laugh.”

With that, he strode from the room.