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“We are attending the theater tomorrow night. I am concerned that she was worried about not having suitable clothing for the events I plan to take her to. She did borrow Lady Sterling’s gowns, but I feel she needs something of her own.” He raised his hand as Sterling opened his mouth to speak.
“I am fully aware how inappropriate it would be for me to pay for a better wardrobe for Mrs. Shaw.”
“I will make sure she has what she needs to step into Society with you. In the meantime, she can continue to borrow my wife’s gowns, who complains to me that after two children most of her gowns do not fit anymore.”
Alex swunghis leg over his horse. “Perhaps it won’t be long before I will be providing Natalie with her necessities.”
Sterling studied him for a moment. “I wish you the best, St. John. Remember, just because Natalie is a widow, she is not one of your typicaltonwidows looking for a lover to warm her bed. If anything happens to make Natalie sad, it will make my wife sad, and then I’ll be forced to beat the hell out of you.” With those words, Sterling turned his horse away from him and headed toward his home.
Alex spent the ride home thinking about Natalie and how he felt about her. He then realized if he wanted to win the mother over, it was best to earn the regard of the daughter first. After their evening at the theater, it would serve him well to arrange an afternoon out with Natalie and Annalise. Somewhere fun for the little girl.
With a smile on his face as he headed home, he thought of all the ways his life would change if Natalie agreed to marry him. He would become an instant father. What was Annalise like? Charming? Difficult? Beaten down by her father’s nasty mouth?
Amazed at himself, he found he was looking forward to meeting the girl. No daughter of Mrs. Natalie Shaw would be anything but sweet.
He returned home to be greeted by his butler, Mitchell, with the news that he had a visitor. He handed his hat and cane to the man. “Who has called at this odd hour?” It was close to dinner time, and, although he didn’t bother dressing for dinner since he was alone most days, he did enjoy a glass of brandy in his library before being summoned to the dining room.
“Miss Mildred Walsh has called, my lord,” Mitchell said, his expression displaying his disapproval at a young woman calling at the home of a bachelor.
Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. “How long has Miss Walsh been here?”
“About an hour, my lord.”
He sighed and said, “Tell Cook to delay dinner by a half hour.”
“Will Miss Walsh be joining you for dinner, then?”
“God, no! I plan to be rid of her as soon as possible.”
CHAPTER11
“What do you want, Mildred?” Alex held no sympathy for the woman despite her swollen eyes, no doubt from crying.
“My difficulty will be showing soon. My father promises to toss me out of the house if you do not marry me.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Why, Mildred? Why is he placing you in this position? He should be spending his time looking for a man who would not care if the child his wife bears isn’t his.”
She shook her head. “I have no idea why. He just seems fixated on continuing our engagement and marriage.”
“Then I am afraid we are at a standstill. I have absolutely no intention of breaking my engagement with Mrs. Shaw and marrying you. Even if Mrs. Shaw was not in the picture, I would still not marry you. Were I in your position, I would spend my time trying to find someone else. I know for a fact your father would pay well for a husband.”
She nodded. “I’m sure I know what you mean. I suspected he offered you money.” She pressed the heels of her hands against her forehead. “Very well. I won’t bother you any further.” She turned on her heel and left the room. The sound of the front door opening and closing allowed Alex to release the breath he held.
Despite her statement about not bothering him again, it was in his best interest to woo Natalie and her daughter and get a special license. He did not trust Mildred. And especially not her father.
* * *
Natalie had senta note around asking him to arrive early enough for their outing to the theater so he could meet Annalise. He thought about bringing some sort of toy for the girl but decided against it. Showing up early and engaging the child in conversation would probably be a better way for their first meeting. He didn’t want to appear as though he was attempting to buy the girl’s approval.
The man at the door bowed and showed Alex to a well-appointed drawing room. He was impressed with how warm and welcoming the home was. It seemed Rayne had enough time from saving lives to make sure her home was a comfortable place for her family.
Within minutes, Natalie entered holding the hand of a beautiful little girl. She wore a blue muslin dress with embroidery on the bodice and along the hem. Black shoes and white stockings completed her outfit. Her dark blonde hair, like her mother’s, had been fastened with two braids, tied at the ends with ribbons matching the color of her dress. Large blue eyes looked out at him. When she smiled she was missing her two front teeth, making her look even more adorable.
She glanced at her mother, who nodded. The little girl dipped a curtsy, and he was immediately enthralled.
“Good evening, Miss Annalise,” he said, offering a slight bow. “I am a friend of your mother. My name is Lord St. John.”
“Yes, my lord. I know that.” Her voice was young and soft, and she blushed furiously when she realized that might have been afaux pasto state that.
