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Natalie looked at him. “Who is that woman? Another cousin? She seems terribly happy to see you.”
When Mildred was about fifty feet from them, he leaned in close to her ear. “Let me handle this. And no, she is not a cousin.”
Mildred arrived in front of him, all smiles and trying hard to catch her breath. “I am delighted to see you, Alex.”
His muscles tightened at the sight of the woman he’d cast off and had never expected to see again. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Miss Walsh.”
Her smile dipped a bit. “Of course I would be here. I would never miss Lady Vivian’s wedding.” She glanced briefly at Natalie and leaned in closer to him. “I must speak with you in private.”
Alex shook his head. “I have no need to speak with you. At our last conversation, I said all there was to be said.”
She pouted that annoying way that usually preceded her asking for something. “I don’t believe that.” She waved her hand around. “That was merely a simple argument we had, which oftentimes happens between two people who care deeply for each other. You know how impulsive I am. I never wanted to cancel the wedding.”
He felt Natalie stiffen at his side and decided it was time to set Mildred straight. “Miss Walsh, may I present to you Mrs. Natalie Shaw.” He stopped for emphasis. “My fiancée.”
Mildred glanced at Natalie and her pretty face turned into something ugly and mean. Hopefully the introduction would end this display of nonsense.
She sniffed. “Indeed?”
“It is nice to meet you, Miss Walsh.” Natalie was as calm and poised as Mildred was not.
Mildred spun her parasol around and studied Natalie from head to toe. “Oh, my dear. Whoever let you out of the house in that gown should be dismissed.”
Expecting Natalie to cow under Mildred’s criticism, instead she said, “Thank you for that information, but I don’t believe my sister, Lady Sterling, would approve, since this is her gown.”
Alex tried hard not to smirk. “If you will excuse us, Miss Walsh, my fiancée and I were on our way to stroll the gardens.”
Appearing unable to say anything, which was quite rare for Mildred, she merely stood there as Alex steered Natalie away and toward the gardens behind the house.
* * *
Mr. Albert Walshwalked up to his daughter, who was staring at the couple as they strolled away. “Did you get it straightened out, gel?”
Mildred turned to her father. “No. It seems St. John didn’t waste any time. He has a fiancée with him.”
She could hear her father’s teeth grinding. “I don’t care what you must do but get rid of the fiancée and convince St. John to marry you. Fast.”
Twirling her parasol again, she turned to her father. “I told you this was not going to be easy. He was quite upset when he left me.”
“Then un-upset him. I’m sure you certainly know how. Get the man to compromise you so there is no choice about him marrying you.” He stuck his finger in her face. “I’m not going to have my daughter give birth to a footman’s bastard.”
With those words he stomped off, leaving her frustrated. And angry at herself for getting caught with Gerard. If St. John had never walked in on them, they would have married, and she would have insisted on hiring Gerard away from her father for St. John’s house so they could continue their liaison.
Now she was with child, and her father angry enough to beat her again and toss her to the streets if things didn’t work out with St. John. She’d spent time at Father’s country estate recovering from the injuries she’d sustained from his fists and belt when she’d confessed her dilemma. If that hadn’t caused her to be away from Bath, she would have found a way to appease her fiancé.
Curse the woman clinging to his arm. She looked like a nobody. In all the years Mildred had been in Society, she had never encountered Mrs. Natalie Shaw. She wouldn’t be surprised if she was a former maid, or governess, trying to get her claws into a wealthy member of the nobility.
If he had been here by himself, she would have had a good chance to convince him to travel with her tonight to Gretna Green. She’d seen the way he’d looked at her when they’d been engaged. Seducing him would have been no problem. Then it would have been easy to pretend virginity on their wedding night. When time passed, if he suspected the child was not his, it would have been too late.
She stomped her foot on the ground, then flounced off to direct the dimwit footmen and lady’s maid to see to her luggage before they destroyed it.
* * *
“It is reallynone of my business, but do you wish to talk about Miss Walsh?” Natalie said as they made their way from the woman and entered the beautiful gardens.
Alex placed his hand over hers resting on his arm. “It was a very unpleasant confrontation.”
“Your mother is of the impression that Miss Walsh dismissed you and you were brokenhearted.”
