“He’s not your responsibility, sweetheart. Although I suspect you are correct when it comes to the duchess. I, too, saw him follow her into the garden. And before that I saw the lust in his eyes when he looked at her.”

Aiden had a strong urge to go up to the bedchamber and give his sire another solid thrashing, only this time he might not stop until the man ceased to draw breath. He’d known the earl had approached Lena, but hearing it all again only served to rekindle his anger.

“I’ve been expecting him to do something for some time.” The countess looked up at Aiden. “Another reason I didn’t object to that tart he brings here. My amenability ensured I drew breath a while longer. For some time I’ve suspected he disposed of his first wife to make room for me.”

“Bastard,” his two illegitimate sons growled, at the same moment his heir proclaimed, “Rotter.”

Wyeth shoved himself to his feet and began to pace, clearly agitated, his fists clenched. “We’ll have to find a way to deal with Father. I haven’t it within me to kill him.” With a nod, he came to a halt and faced them. “But I could see that he is committed to an asylum. He is obviously not well and is a danger. I will not allow my mother to be put at further risk.”

“If what Finn and I witnessed regarding his apoplectic fit is any indication,” Aiden said, “I don’t think he’s going to be capable of creating much havoc in the future.”

“So how is it that you two happen to be here?” Wyeth asked, returning to his mother’s side.

After settling into a chair, Aiden explained the entire story, including the beating he’d given the old man.

“I wish I’d been here with you to deliver a few blows of my own. I’ve lived my entire life ashamed to be called his son. He flaunts his mistresses, spends a fortune keeping them in residences, clothes, and baubles. Disposes of the children they bring into the world.”

“Dispose is a rather harsh term,” the countess said. “He finds loving homes for them. Aiden and Finn here are proof of that.”

Wyeth glanced over at Aiden, and he could see the battle the young man was facing. Did he hide the truth from this woman he loved?

“No, Mother. I fear they are the exception. When he is in his cups, he gets rather loud, likes to hear the sound of his voice, wants others to hear it as well. On occasion, I’ve heard him advise others on how to rid themselves of their by-blows so as never to be inconvenienced by them again.”

“But he promised me.”

“Perhaps he made an exception for you.”