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Natalie sighed. “Not yet, darling. As soon as I hear his carriage pull up, I will let you know. Now leave me for a few minutes to gather my things.”
She hated to admit it, but she was as excited as Annalise to go to the museum. She had gone a couple of times before, but there were always things she wanted to see but there hadn’t been time. Today they had the full afternoon because Alex had sent around a note that they would have dinner out once they were finished with the museum.
Because the museum closed at five o’clock, it would make for an early dinner for them, but most likely he’d been conscious of Annalise’s bedtime and wanted to be sure to have them home on time.
Just then Annalise raced into her bedchamber. “He is here! I just saw a carriage pull up that you said would have the St. John crest on it.”
Natalie draped her shawl over her shoulders, picked up her reticule, and held her hand out. “Then we must be on our way. We should not keep his lordship waiting.”
They walked down the stairs together, arriving at the bottom just as Alex walked into the entrance hall. “Good afternoon, ladies. You both look lovely.”
Annalise blushed and whispered to Natalie. “He called me a lady.”
Despite Annalise’s attempt to keep Alex from hearing her, his smile told her he’d heard her comment.
Jasper, the Sterling Townhouse butler, opened the door and the three of them left and headed to the waiting carriage.
Once they climbed in and were settled, with Natalie and Annalise sitting forward and Alex backward, her daughter said, “I am very excited, my lord.”
Alex grinned at her. “And so am I, Miss Shaw.”
CHAPTER12
“Gerard!”
Mildred raced up to the man walking toward her in Victoria Park. She was out strolling by herself since Mother had pleaded a megrim and had taken to her bed. Ever since Mildred’s disgrace had become known to her parents, Mother spent a great number of hours in bed. Especially when it was time to stroll in the park or visit the shops on Milsom Street.
“Shh, Mildred. Keep your voice down.” Gerard looked around, then took her by the elbow and walked her onto a path wandering through the wooded area. “Do you want everyone to know we have an attachment?”
As usual, she shivered when he touched her, even if it was only on her elbow. Gerard was not the man she’d lost her virginity to, but he was her current lover, the father of the child she carried, and the man she loved. “Why haven’t you contacted me?”
“You mean after St. John beat me, your father tossed me out of the house, and then you disappeared?”
Not at all sure how Gerard would take the news about the baby, she decided to wait for that announcement. “Did you find another position?”
He gave a dark chuckle. “You mean with no reference?”
Her smile dimmed. “Oh, yes. I’d forgotten about that.”
They walked along, Mildred only too happy to hear his voice and know he was still in Bath.
“I did manage to get a job in a stable, but I’m not cut out for shoveling animal leavings.” He shuddered.
She ran her hand up and down his arm. “My apology. I’m so sorry St. John walked in on us.”
“I have a plan.”
“You do?” As excited as she was to see Gerard, she really didn’t think there would be any plan that could keep them together. And then there was the problem of the babe.
“First step, you still marry St. John.”
She shook her head. “If that is your plan, I’m afraid you will need to come up with something else.”
“Don’t tell me the bloke broke your engagement.”
“Of course he did. What sort of a man would not do that? I mean he must provide heirs. Men are very strange about wanting their title and money to go to their own child.”
He stared at her, his eyes narrowing. “And is there a reason he would have to concern himself with that?”
