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Alex nodded at each man in turn. “I do know all of you. It’s nice to see you again.”
Sterling grinned. “I don’t believe I ever told you, but these men are special people. Have you heard the term, the Merry Misfits of Bath?”
Alex thought for a minute. “It sounds familiar, but I’m not sure where I heard it.”
Carter leaned back in his chair and rested his foot on his knee. “We are the men who are married to the Merry Misfits of Bath.”
Alex smiled. “And who are these women?”
Sterling grinned at him. “Actually Rayne is one, as are Lady Pamela Smith, Lady Addie Grayson, Mrs. Lottie Westbrook, and Mrs. Lizbeth Mallory. A couple of years ago, they brought Natalie into the group.”
Alex’s brows rose. “Indeed?”
Carter laughed. “Yes, all our wives were determined not to marry. They started the group with the idea of enjoying their spinsterhood together.”
A footman approached and placed a bottle of brandy on the table, along with several glasses.
Sterling passed the bottle, not taking any for himself. Alex had heard the story from him about the poor state he had been in when dumped on his wife’s infirmary doorstep late one night years ago. He swore off spirits and hadn’t indulged since then.
Sterling leaned forward, his forearms on his thighs. “How did the wedding celebration go?”
Alex took a sip of his brandy. “Very well. Aside from constant nudging to ask about a wedding date, I believe Natalie had a good time.”
The men all looked at each other. “What are we missing?” Mallory asked.
Sterling nodded at Alex. “Go ahead.”
“Dr. Rayne’s sister, Mrs. Natalie Shaw, was kind enough to help me with a subterfuge.” He paused while eyebrows rose. “For reasons that are not important, I ended my engagement to Miss Mildred Walsh. My mother has been pestering me since then to choose another bride.
“With my cousin’s five-day wedding celebration coming up, she sent me a list of all the unmarried women attending the wedding—she got the names from her sister, the bride’s mother—with a number listed next to each woman’s name. The best potential bride to the least potential.”
Nick groaned.
“To avoid the catastrophe the wedding would bring, Mrs. Shaw was nice enough to attend the wedding with me as my fiancée.”
“Fake fiancée,” Sterling added with a frown.
“Yes, fake fiancée.” Although he felt like laughing because of the kisses they’d shared, he held it in because Sterling was very protective of his women. And since Natalie resided at his home, she was one of ‘his women’. Although, if things happened the way he wanted them to—and yes, he believed he was sure—he would undertake looking after Natalie as well as her daughter.
The men moved onto other subjects, mostly investments, the rise in the cost of living, and what Parliament was up to. After a couple of hours, they all left, stating a similar reason. They wanted to spend time with their children who were generally presented to them before dinner. Except they all agreed they spent a great deal more time with them than was normal for their class.
Alex and Sterling walked out together, both headed to the stable to retrieve their horses. “I want to mention to you that Natalie and I have decided to continue to see each other.”
Sterling grinned. “That is no surprise. When I suggested Natalie, I had a feeling the two of you would suit. Just remember, she was not raised to weather the storm that is theton. And, although she’s been married, in a lot of ways she is still innocent.” They stopped and waited for the groom to bring their horses out. “Her husband was a brute, and from what she allowed Rayne to tell me she took a lot of verbal abuse from the bastard.”
Alex felt his stomach muscles tighten. “Beatings?”
Sterling shook his head. “Not from what she told Rayne. It appears his weapon of choice was his mouth and his temper.”
No wonder the first thing Natalie had told him was she had no desire to marry again. If the bastard wasn’t already dead, he’d beat him withhisweapon of choice. His fists.
“One of the things that attracted me to Natalie was her lack of behaviors exhibited by the young ladies who have been thrown into my path over the years. As you well know, being a member yourself,tonmothers are searching for the best match, the highest title, the most money. Not that I disagree that mothers should hope their daughters would be well provided for, but I don’t believe their intention is their daughters’ happiness.”
“Very insightful, St. John, and something I totally agree with. My attraction to Rayne grew from her difference from other women who were endlessly presented to me. I’d like to say that was why I drank and carried on so much, but that would be a lie.”
Alex shrugged. “We’ve all had our disgraceful times, but you were fortunate to find a woman who looked beyond what you had presented to her and saw the man underneath your shield.”
“Bloody hell, man, if we keep this up, I will find the need to withdraw my handkerchief for us to pat our eyes with.” Sterling reached for the reins of his horse and hoisted himself up. “So, how are you continuing to romance my sister by marriage?”
