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His fake fiancée had also been subjected to several spills on her gown, tripping over things in her path which should not have been there, and attempts to douse her with laudanum again, but he had finally told her about the chocolate she’d drank so she would be aware of every drink she took.
She had been appalled when he told her because—in her work with her sister—she had administered laudanum many times and chastised herself for not smelling it in the chocolate. He reminded her that this was supposed to be a celebration, not a hospital, so it was not her fault.
Now he rode with her to the church where the wedding would take place. Natalie looked lovely in a pale, pink gown with a deep rose band of fabric on the neckline, under her bodice, and at the bottom of the gown. “That is a beautiful gown you are wearing,” he said as the carriage joined the queue of other vehicles leaving the house and heading to the church.
“Ah, one of my sister’s again.”
He reached over to run his finger down the soft skin of her cheek. “You deserve gowns of your own. And jewels and all the things a lady should possess.”
She offered him a knowledgeable smile. “Ah, but I am not a lady, my lord.”
You could be my lady.
With Mother pushing him to marry, and with marriage being something he must do anyway, it continued to make sense to consider Natalie. She might not have been born a lady, but she was beautiful, gracious, kind, considerate, and many other things that many true ladies were unfortunately not.
Many of the guests who had arrived for the wedding celebration did not attend the actual ceremony, which was not odd. Generally, only close friends and family members witnessed the marriage itself.
He and Natalie settled in a pew and were soon crowded by the arrival of Mildred and Mr. and Mrs. Walsh. Mr. Walsh glared at him, which he almost found amusing since it was his daughter who was to blame for the mess she found herself in.
It mattered not to him because, as far as he was concerned, that part of his life was over, and he would not be Mildred’s salvation by sacrificing the rest of his life for a woman he did not trust. And who he had since discovered would never have suited him anyway.
The wedding was over quickly, since apparently the vicar who married them was not one to drone on and on about the joys of matrimony. The bride looked beautiful, and, with the way her new husband regarded her, his cousin was fortunate to have a love match.
He and Natalie joined the queue to offer their congratulations to the couple, and then headed to their carriage for the short ride back to the estate. The weather continued to cooperate with the wedding, leaving the staff able to set up the breakfast outside.
Champagne was passed around and the tables set with platter after platter of food. The ones who had not attended the ceremony found their way to the patio and, within minutes after their arrival from the church, the patio and gardens were filled with guests.
They had just sat down with their food when Sylvia—one of Alex’s cousins and part of the group of ladies who had practically accosted Natalie upon their arrival—took a seat in the chair alongside Natalie. She rested her elbow on the table and leaned her chin on her hand. With a wide grin, she said, “I’m assuming your wedding will be next. Have you set a date yet?”
He and Natalie glanced at each other, obviously hoping the other would answer the question. Finally taking pity on Natalie, he said, “We have discussed it and are still working things out. We will, of course, let everyone know when a decision has been made.”
If Sylvia thought that was a vague and strange answer, she didn’t show it, but merely went on to discuss with Natalie all the things she should have at her wedding, what she should wear, what the wedding breakfast should be like, and the activities that should surround the event.
“Sylvia, we have time to discuss these things, and I’m sure Mrs. Shaw will have ideas of her own.” He looked over at Natalie who was trying quite hard to control laughter. Even to the point where her eyes were watering.
Sylvia leaned in close to Natalie. “Don’t pay attention to Alex. Men don’t have any idea how to do a wedding. You just leave it all up to us and you will have a fabulous event.” She stood, gave Natalie a hug, and wandered back to a very long table with mostly female members of his family. She immediately began talking and waving her hands around. When two or three cousins and aunts looked over at them, he groaned.
“Alex, don’t pay them any mind. We will be leaving soon, and they will forget all about us.”
“Not likely,” he said. “I expect letters of inquiry to arrive daily, starting tomorrow.”
They had finished their meal and were sipping glasses of wine when a footman approached. “My lord, Mr. Walsh requests your presence in Lord Applethwaite’s library.”
Natalie turned to Alex with a questioning look.
“I have a strong feeling I know what this is about. I should probably ignore his summons, but I’m certain he will continue to harass me until I hear what he has to say.” With those words he stood and headed toward the side door closest to the library. He turned back. “Wait here for me. I promise this will not take long.”
Natalie nodded and took another sip of her wine.
With almost all the guests outside on the patio and garden area, the house was eerily quiet. He took a deep breath and opened the library door. Mr. Walsh had made himself comfortable on a settee in front of the window that faced the gathering outside.
“You wish to speak with me, sir?”
The man waved his hand at one of the chairs that faced the settee. “Have a seat, St. John.”
Once Alex was settled, his foot resting on his knee, Mr. Walsh leaned forward. “You must marry my daughter.”
He sighed. “If that is why you brought me in here, you have wasted your time—and mine. I have no intention of marrying Mildred. She betrayed me and I will never trust her again. I cannot have a marriage with a woman who thinks so little of her virtue.”
