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Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. “What did you say?”
“I said we hadn’t decided yet, at which time your aunt, mother, and sister threw dates at me like I was at a badminton game.” She stopped and looked at him. “Why are they so anxious to see you married?”
Natalie looked over her shoulder at all his female relations staring at them. With soft, almost sugary smiles on their faces.
“You said you have never been to any affairs with the Upper Crust. You must understand. In our circle, from the moment a babe is born, his or her mother begins to plan their wedding.”
“Surely, you jest!”
“No. I wish I did. A mother is not considered a success if her children do not marry well and produce grandchildren. She might spend her entire child’s life seeing him or her only before dinner when they are presented to the parents by their governess for a short visit. But once they reach a marriageable age, it all changes and they become the entire focus of the mother’s attention.
“Girls are subjected to a finishing governess and a ‘Season’ where they compete with other girls for the ‘best match’. They attend balls, picnics, garden parties, the theater, all to have them betrothed by the end of their Season.
“On the other hand, boys are prodded and poked once they leave University to settle down and begin to set up their nurseries. Almost always to no avail, I might add. But then once they reach their mid-twenties, the mother turns vengefully serious and begins to talk about her life ending before she is presented with grandchildren.”
“Oh, my. It seems like a rather barbaric practice.”
“It is, my dear, it definitely is. “I shall be happy to fill our plates while you stay here and attempt to recover.” With a wink he left her to mull over what she’d just heard.
No wonder he needed a pretend fiancée. She wondered if some of the guests who had yet to arrive had hoped to catch Alex in the marriage net.
During the time the ladies had helped her settle into her bedchamber, his mother had made numerous mentions of Alex’s prior fiancée, and, although he had told her they had decided they wouldn’t suit, Lady St. John and Denise had seemed to believe the woman, Miss Mildred Walsh, had called off the wedding and had soon thereafter retired to her parents’ country estate, leaving Alex brokenhearted.
She watched him as he filled two plates and bantered with the men in his family. She wondered if he was purposely avoiding the ladies. Truth be told, they had exhausted her. Hopefully, once the other guests arrive, which Lady St. John said would be the next day, there would be entertainments to keep them all busy and she would no longer be the center of attention. After all, this was Alex’s cousin’s wedding and, by right, the bride should hold that spot.
* * *
Because Natalie was a working woman,being at the infirmary early each day to set things up for her sister, she was not one to lollygag in bed in the morning. She had been quite surprised when Mary arrived at her bedchamber to bring her hot chocolate and set out her clothes for the day.
“Oh, Mary, just because I’m here where all the other women have their chocolate as a morning routine, I shall pass on that. I find I am most hungry when I awaken so I need something more substantial.”
The maid placed the cup and saucer on the table next to the bed that Natalie had already left. “I didn’t think you would be awaiting chocolate, but the other maids looked askance at me when I said you would not be expecting it.”
She patted Mary’s hand. “Don’t fret over it.” She turned around, giving Mary her back. “However, since I am using Rayne’s clothes for this event, I shall need you to help me fasten the back of this gown.”
“Once you are dressed, I will do your hair,” Mary said as she tugged on the stays and gown fasteners. “Pleasant and practical might work for the infirmary, but I am quite certain these ladies will have their maids take their time each morning to fix their hair into something more ornate.”
When Mary was happy with how her mistress looked and her gown all fastened up, Natalie headed downstairs and, with the help of a footman, found her way to the breakfast room.
After her conversation with Mary, it did not surprise her that the breakfast room was filled with mostly men. The only other female in the room was one of Alex’s aunts who appeared to be older than dirt.
Alex jumped up from his seat and took her hand. “Allow me to introduce my betrothed to you,” he said to the group at the table.
Once the introductions were made and Natalie was certain she would never remember any of their names, she took the seat next to Alex.
“I held this one for you, knowing somehow you would not be lazing in bed.”
She smiled. “No. Don’t forget I am up early each day to get the infirmary set up.”
“Infirmary, did you say?” The man across from her said. He didn’t resemble Alex very much, so she assumed he was married to one of the females.
She smiled at him. “Yes. I work as a nursing assistant to my sister, Dr. Rayne Stevens.”
Alex jumped in at the man’s raised eyebrows. “Her sister is also Lady Sterling.”
The man on the other side of Alex said, “Lady Sterling? Sterling allows his wife to work?”
Natalie drew herself up. So far none of these people had impressed her overmuch. Yet they had the nerve to look down their aristocratic noses on her sister who was a fine doctor, a wonderful wife and mother.
