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She took a deep breath and smiled. “I just think we should have had time to talk this all over before you hastily called an end to our engagement.”
He dropped his hands to his side, his brows climbing up his forehead. “Apparently you do think I am a stupid man.”
She pulled out a handkerchief and patted the corners of dry eyes. “Yes, I know what you saw, but it was not as it appeared.”
“Yes, definitely think I am stupid.” He turned to leave the room.
“Gerard threatened me,” she blurted out.
He stopped and studied her. “The footman?”
“Yes.”
“So, you’re saying he raped you?”
“Such an ugly word.” She turned and began tracing her fingertips over the furniture in the room. “Not exactly.”
“Miss Walsh, I do not have time for this little game you are playing. I know what I saw, and I cannot fathom marrying a woman who has so little regard for her virtue.” He headed to the door.
“I’m carrying a child.”
So, his presumption was correct. He turned and shrugged. “That is no concern of mine.”
“What if I tell everyone it is yours and you refuse to do the right thing?”
He stormed back to her, stopping with barely an inch between them. “Do. Not. Try. That. Despite my own honor, if you do that, I will make sure it is known exactly who the father of your child is.”
This time real tears appeared in her eyes. “My father will toss me to the streets if I can’t get you to change your mind.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. “There is nothing I intend to do about this, Miss Walsh. I will not marry a woman I cannot trust, and I will never shame my innocent fiancée by changing my mind. Whatever it is you need to do to protect yourself is on your shoulders. Or the man who fathered your child.”
“Father dismissed him when he found out what had happened. I haven’t heard from him in weeks.”
“Again, I must reiterate that I have no intention of setting my fiancée aside and marrying you.” He stopped for a minute realizing he’d truly felt as though Natalie was, indeed, his true fiancée and he would never hurt her that way. He shook his head to get his thoughts straight.
“You must find some other way to solve your problem.” With those words he left the room, his head throbbing from the encounter.
What a mess this wedding celebration was turning into.
CHAPTER7
Guests continued to arrive until early evening, so Lady Applethwaite opted for a buffet-style dinner on the patio since the weather was still so nice. Alex escorted Natalie to the area, hoping to avoid Mildred altogether. When he had the chance and things settled down, he intended to ask his aunt why she’d invited Mildred and her parents. However, because the entire family believed she had ended their engagement and he was heartbroken, mayhap Aunt Jane hoped the wedding would bring the two of them back together.
He hated that he’d allowed Mildred to put out the story that she had sought the dissolution of their betrothal, but—being a gentleman—he would never dispute it. Things would have been quite difficult for her if the real reason became known.
He’d spent the afternoon with Natalie, strolling the grounds and playing chess in his uncle’s library. The women had all gathered in the drawing room, but Natalie made it quite clear that she had no intention of joining them. With the way she’d already suffered at their hands—and mouths—he certainly understood and was more than happy to spend the afternoon with her.
The most amazing thing was how comfortable he felt in her presence and how it was becoming more and more difficult to remember theirs was a fake engagement.
“Good evening, Lord St. John, and Miss—,” Mildred stood before them, holding her filled dinner plate. “I’m so sorry, but I don’t remember your name.”
Natalie offered a smile and said, “Mrs. Natalie Shaw.” She then returned to her food.
“May I join you?”
With a patio full of wedding guests—many of whom he saw watching them—he was not about to make a scene, so he stood and pulled out a chair for his nemesis. “Yes, please do.”
She tittered and fluttered her eyelashes enough to blow his hair back. Once she was seated, Mildred turned her body, so she practically gave Natalie her back. She merely shrugged and continued to eat.
