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Once she was back at her work labeling the drawers and cabinets, her thoughts were taken up by the disparity between her own marriage and that of her sister’s. Whenever she allowed herself to think about it, she’d always come to the same conclusion.
The right man makes a world of difference.
CHAPTER2
“Sterling, over here.” Alexander stood and waved at Edwin as he entered the Bath and County Club.
Edwin headed over and took the comfortable leather seat across from him. A bottle of brandy sat on the table with one half-filled glass. “Would you join me?” Alex asked.
“Thank you, but I’ll settle for a cup of coffee.” Sterling waved a footman over and made his request.
“Is everything well with your family, Sterling? I must say I’m impressed that you have your sister-in-law and her daughter with your own wife and two little ones. It must be quite noisy at your home.”
“Sometimes, but Melissa and Arthur are well under Nanny’s control, and Annalise, Natalie’s daughter, is very quiet. You wouldn’t even know she was about. She attends school now. I had wanted to hire a governess for the girl, thought she was too young for school. But Natalie was adamant that she didn’t want us to incur expenses on her or her daughter’s account.
He took a sip of his coffee. “However, Rayne told me Natalie had a difficult marriage before her husband passed away. I think that is what made the daughter so quiet, like she doesn’t want to be noticed, lest she get into trouble.”
Alex shook his head. “Marriage. A delightful institution if you enjoy living in an institution.”
“That’s quite cynical. It appears you have yet to move beyond your jilt from Miss Walsh.”
St. John raised his glass and studied it. “Ah, yes. My jilt. Not well done of her to do that.”
Edwin leaned back in his chair. “You never said much about it, but I always had the feeling there was more to the story than what she put out. The fact that your ex-fiancée didn’t marry anyone else, and then retired to the country, was perplexing.”
“Do not concern yourself with it, Sterling.”
Edwin studied him for a moment. “Except the jovial man I’ve known since we were in leading strings has become cynical and cutting.”
Cynical, indeed. What he’d learned was the unfaithfulness and treachery of women. He’d shuddered many times since walking out on Mildred a few months before. There was no doubt in his mind that the loathsome woman retired to the country because she was increasing.Bloody hell.Had they married, he would be raising a footman’s brat, and—had it been a male child—he’d be handing his title over to a bastard.
“However, my darling ex-fiancée did create a problem for me.”
Sterling smiled. “Only one?”
“Yes. And a serious one. Every woman in my family as well as all their friends have decided it is their job to help me ‘recover’ from my rejection by replacing Miss Walsh with another woman.” He swirled the brandy in his glass. “Lord help me if I replace her with another woman like her.”
Given the way Sterling was studying him, he was close to determining that there indeed was more to the story and, despite Mildred having no sense of honor, he did, and had promised to keep the real reason for their breakup to himself.
“The worst of it is my cousin, Lady Vivian Beauchamp, is getting married in two weeks. Every female in the family and beyond will be there, dragging single women in front of me at every opportunity. The thing takes place at my uncle’s home in Hampshire. A bloody five days for my relatives to harass me and attempt to beat me into submission.”
Sterling threw his head back and laughed. “Beat you into submission? I see you have not lost your sense of humor.”
“Who says I’m joking?”
They discussed other things, mostly about Sterling’s wife and children. Alex was still dumbstruck at Sterling and how the man, who had been a dissolute disaster only a few years before, had met Dr. Rayne Stevens and turned his life completely around. Alex had spent time with them and tried very hard not to envy their relationship.
“Rayne is planning a small dinner party Saturday next. You must join us. She’s still trying to get the invitations out, so I can tell her yours has been delivered. By mouth.”
“I would love to spend an evening with you and your charming wife.”
They both stood, and Sterling slapped him on the shoulder. “Eight o’clock.”
Alex nodded, and they walked out together. Since Sterling was headed for the infirmary to fetch his wife, sister-in-law, and niece, he headed to the mews for his carriage, while Alex mounted his horse, Diamond, and turned in the direction of home.
“My lord. Lady St. John and Lady Denise have called. They are currently in the library.” Mitchell, his butler who’d been with him for years, greeted him at the door, helping him out of his coat and hat.
He sighed. Already it was starting. His mother and sister had come to call. They had called on him almost once a week since the betrothal disaster. For some ungodly reason they seemed to think he needed cheering up.
