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Alex grinned. “Yes, that is the family’s theory. One that I allowed Miss Walsh to put out.”
“That’s why they were so excited when they learned you had gotten yourself engaged again. They felt that your poor heart had mended.”
“Ha! It was more like my poor ego had mended.”
Natalie had no response to that comment. It really was a personal matter between him and Miss Walsh. As curious as she was, she would not overstep. If he wished to share the situation with her, she would be more than happy to hear it. But, as his fake fiancée, she had no right to that information.
He turned them so they wandered closer to the rose garden. The lovely scent drew her since roses were her favorite flower. With her busy schedule working for Rayne and caring for Annalise she never had the time to walk in the gardens behind Sterling’s townhouse. When they were in the country, without the stress and strain of dealing with patients all day, she took lengthy strolls in the gardens kept beautiful by the gardener.
Her attention returned to Alex as she waited patiently to see if he intended to expand on his comment.
Right around the time she thought he would not enlighten her, he said, “To put it in a delicate way, I happened to walk into a very amorous scene between my fiancée and one of her father’s footmen.”
Natalie gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, how awful for you.”
Alex squeezed her hand. “Yes. The situation was not an enjoyable thing to witness. I tossed the footman out and told Miss Walsh we were through. But, on the other hand, I am quite happy that I did not end up married to a woman who has so little respect for herself and for me.”
“I agree, you were fortunate to find out before you took that step.” Natalie was silent for a few moments, then said, “Why did she just say that she called off the wedding and she was much too impulsive to do that?”
“My dear, you don’t understand the working of the minds of dishonorable people. She is obviously trying to convince me to forget what I saw and move forward with the wedding.” He stopped and scrubbed his face. “I believe she is carrying a child and is desperate to give it a name. But, no matter what she’s gotten herself into, the name of her child will not be mine.”
Again Natalie was shocked. “Do you really believe that? How horrible.”
She’d never spent time with the Upper Crust but, from what she’d seen in the short time they’d been here, there was very little to recommend them. People badgered her with questions before she even had a chance to take a breath. They insulted her and her child, criticized Alex’s choice of a wife—not that this was real, of course—and then Miss Walsh boldly walks up to them and, in the presence of Alex’s fiancée, suggests they put the past behind them and move forward withtheirwedding. After what he’d caught her doing!
Disgraceful.
“I feel as though I’m going to spend most of my time here apologizing to you. I can always say you developed a terrible megrim and must rest for a day or so.”
Natalie shook her head. “No. I am not the type to hide when matters get unsettling.” She looked up at him. “Believe me when I tell you this is far from the worst thing I’ve had to live through.”
She probably should not have said that. The way he looked at her told her it would not be long before he questioned her about that. Especially since he’d shared part of his personal life with her.
“Come, let us return to the house and make the most of this enforced gathering.”
When they arrived at the drawing room, it was apparent more guests had arrived. Lady St. John, Lady Applethwaite, Miss Hollingsworth, and the bride herself were greeting guests and directing them to maids and footmen who showed them to their rooms.
“This is quite a gathering. Are all weddings like this in your circle?” Natalie asked.
“No. Some are, some are not. It depends on how much the family wishes to impress everyone.” He grinned. “My aunt is one of them.”
“Alex, how fortunate that I found you in this crowd.” Miss Walsh stood in front of the two of them, a bright smile on her face. “I thought we might have a private,” she looked at Natalie, “word together.”
If Alex wasn’t aware, Natalie certainly was, of the number of female members in his family, as well as some of the guests, who were watching the interplay among the three of them. The last thing this wedding—and Lord Alex St. John—needed, was this sort of attention.
Natalie turned to Alex. “If you will excuse me, I need to retrieve something from my bedchamber.” She scurried away before he could stop her. Alex and Miss Walsh needed to get this sorted out if they were to spend the next few days celebrating a wedding, and she had a strong feeling Miss Walsh was not going to stop pestering Alex until she had her say. In private.
* * *
Fully aware ofthe audience they were creating and the fact that his family thought the breaking of their engagement had been on Mildred’s part, leaving him with a broken heart, he had to move this conversation to somewhere in private lest he say something that would ruin the woman’s reputation. Not that he particularly cared—since any smirch was her own doing—but he was still a gentleman.
“Follow me, Miss Walsh.” He turned and, without extending his arm, he walked off, not caring if she was behind him or not. He strode to the small parlor at the back of the corridor and entered the room. When Mildred walked in behind him and closed the door, he moved around her and opened it.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you trying to pull here? You are well aware of the fact that I was the one to call a halt to our betrothal when I caught youin flagrantewith one of your footmen.”
She glanced nervously toward the open door. “Can I please close the door?”
“I’m afraid not, Miss Walsh. I am not a stupid man.” He waved his hand at her. “Now get on with what you are trying to do.”
