“I took the liberty of hiring an investigator after the article appeared.” He drew another sheet of paper out of the folder on his knee. “I have found that instigating a suit for slander can be remarkably efficacious in quelling a scandal brew of this type. However, detailed information is needed before such a course can be contemplated.” This was Jennings’s way of saying that there wasn’t any point in suing for slander if The Tatler’s charges were factually true. “This sheet specifies the activities of your brother, Patrick Foakes, during the week in which he was in London. You will see that he made no effort to contact your wife until he arrived at your house and was informed of your marriage. To my mind, this casts a good deal of doubt on the supposition that the romance was of long standing.”

He paused again.

Alex didn’t say a word, but his teeth involuntarily ground together. Of long standing! Damn right it was, given that it included the taking of Charlotte’s virginity.

Jennings continued. “Your brother accompanied the countess back to Sheffield House from Mrs. Felvitson’s musicale, but he left immediately. He then returned two days later at four o’clock, by appointment. He exited the house at approximately five thirty, by the back entrance. He left by the servants’ entrance because he was aware of the presence of a reporter in the front. Your brother spent the rest of the evening in White’s, where he lost over two hundred pounds at play. The next morning he rose early and left for Leicestershire in company with Braddon Chatwin, the Earl of Slaslow.” Alex looked up. Barring himself, Braddon had been Patrick’s closest friend in school.

“Going to Slaslow’s estate?”

“That would be my surmise. After that point, of course,” Jennings added primly, “I saw no reason to continue investigating the activities of your wife and brother. Consequently I can cast no light on the reports of her pregnancy.” He regarded his tented fingers. “Of course, if the child is born in the near future, there would be no reason for anxiety.” Jennings took a deep breath. What he had to say next was not pleasant. “There is nothing that can be done, legally speaking, about the rumors circulating about your wife. Her future reputation hinges on two things: the birth date of this child, and your attitude.”

Jennings looked up, meeting Alex’s steady eyes. “I am sure I need not tell you how quickly your actions will prove or disprove these rumors in the eyes of the world, my lord.”

Alex nodded. Then he tapped the newspaper on his knee. “And this?”