“Ten million dollars’ worth of parties?” he asked softly.
“Both my parents also spent a great deal on my education, and I’ve always had whatever I wanted, and so has Brat.”
Trevelyan took a moment to digest this information. “So now all the money your family has left is what you have in trust?”
“Yes.”
“And how is the trust administered?”
“Since my grandfather died I have received a quarter of the interest each year.”
“So, in essence, you’ve paid for your own education.”
She ignored him. “When I marry I receive the principal.”
Trevelyan waited for her to say more. “Out with the rest of it.”
“I only get the money if my parents approve of whom I marry. My grandfather put that in his will because he had a younger sister and he gave her a few million dollars, but she immediately married a man who gambled. The man spent every penny my aunt had.”
“Then what happened to your aunt?”
“After her money was gone she went back to live with my grandfather.”
“And it’s my guess your grandfather never gave her another penny.”
“Why must you always be cynical? When my grandfather died he left her the interest from some money, but he said he wanted to ensure that she wasn’t the target for another gigolo.”
“Liked to control people, didn’t he?”
“He gave my parents their money free and clear,” she said fiercely, then was silent.
“So now you have two penniless parents and a sister who has never had any money. Who gets your money if you don’t marry a man of whom they approve?”
“My parents get it,” she said softly.
“I guess they approve of Harry.”
“Oh, yes. My mother says no money on earth could buy society like that of having a daughter who’s a duchess. And my father says all Harry’s friends know how to live.”
“You mean they spend their days killing animals and their evenings eating?”
“Harry also runs this house and three others. It takes a great deal of work to manage these estates.”
“My dear industrious little American, Harry doesn’t any more manage these estates than I do. He hires people to run them. What managing that’s done is done by Harry’s mother.”
“That’s not true! Harry is always going away on business.”
“Harry’s ‘business’ is buying things. Have you looked at this place? Pictures, furniture, ornaments, horses and carriages in the stables. In succession each duke has married the woman with the most money and spent his life buying things and enjoying himself. It’s what Harry’s been trained for.”
“You’re saying Harry is marrying me only for my money.”
“And aren’t you marrying him because you want to be a duchess?”
“No. I love Harry. And I love this house and this way of life. I love the people and the country.”
“You love the romance. You love what you think is real. You so very conveniently love exactly what your parents want so you can become a duchess, get your grandfather’s money, and give your parents the kind of life they want.”
“I don’t like you very much.”