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Gerard leaned back and smiled. “And then you’ll get the money from your husband and hand it to me.”
The more she thought about her relationship with Gerard, the more she considered it might be a good idea after she married to rid herself of the man. It sounded as if he expected her to be asking St. John for money all the time.
Once the babe was delivered and sent wherever it would be sent, she planned to return to Bath and once again commence her social life. There would be plenty of men interested in a young, married woman with no need to be concerned about a hurried-up wedding. If Alex were going to demand an heir and a spare, she would do her duty and then go her own way.
Yes, things were certainly looking better, and she didn’t need Gerard staying around for what she planned to do with the rest of her life.
Natalie stoodin Alex’s drawing room, her arms wrapped around herself, awaiting the arrival of Miss Walsh and Annalise. She would not relax until she had her daughter safe and sound in her arms.
Grim-faced, Alex spent the time pacing, the special license for him and Miss Walsh in his hand. The man dressed in vicar robes, ready to perform the ceremony, stood patiently in front of the window, holding a prayer book in his hands.
Everything was set and ready to go. Natalie glanced at the clock in the corner. Two minutes past eleven o’clock. Her ears perked up at the sound of a carriage rolling to a stop in front of the townhouse.
She refused to race to the window and gawk at the woman alighting from the carriage. Her nerves were strung so tight she felt as if she would explode. Her eyes teared at the thought of what her daughter had endured. Within minutes Mitchell opened the door, setting Natalie’s heart to thump, and escorted Miss Walsh into the room.
“Where is my daughter?” Natalie asked, her voice so dry she barely recognized it.
Miss Walsh sniffed. “She is safe. As soon as the wedding is over, and I have the marriage certificate in my hand, I will have her brought in.”
“No!” Natalie said and turned to Alex. “I don’t trust her. I want Annalise in the room now.”
Alex glanced at Miss Walsh. “If we are to proceed, you must bring Annalise here.”
She glared at him but seeing that—to continue—Annalise would have to be present, she growled. “All right. I will have her brought in. But she will not go near that woman,” she jerked her head in Natalie’s direction, “until it’s over.”
He nodded. Miss Walsh left the room and Natalie glanced at Alex who was looking as nervous as she was.
The front door opened again, and a tall man walked in, holding Annalise’s hand. Natalie took one look at her and burst into tears. She took a step forward and the man dragged Annalise behind his back and pulled out a small pistol.
“After the ceremony, Mrs. Shaw,” Miss Walsh said.
Although she couldn’t see Annalise behind the man, she said, “Be brave, my darling. This will all be over soon.”
More courageous than her mother, Annalise said, “Yes, Mama.”
“So, you haven’t disappeared,” Alex said as he came eye to eye with the man. “I thought Miss Walsh’s father tossed you out.”
The man smiled. “There is a lot you don’t know,my lord.”
Natalie could see Alex’s face muscles tighten and his fists clench at his side. He walked to the front of the room and said, “Then let’s continue.”
Miss Walsh smirked at Natalie as she sashayed up to join Alex. He handed the special license over, the prayer book was opened, and the service proceeded.
Annalise had moved from behind the man and now stood by his side, watching the proceedings. Natalie continued to observe her daughter. She didn’t look as though she’d been mistreated. However, she appeared tired, and her eyes seemed red as if she’d been crying. It broke her heart to see her daughter like that and standing next to this strange man.
She would question her once this nightmare was over. If the man so much as placed one finger on her inappropriately, she would murder him herself.
As the ceremony continued, Natalie allowed her thoughts to wander. Once Annalise was in her arms, she would never let the child go. Perhaps it was time to secure a governess instead of sending her to school. Annalise had begged and pleaded to be allowed to leave her cousins behind in the nursery and attend school like other children did. Now she was afraid to even have her stroll in the garden by herself.
The sound of the prayer book closing drew her attention to the others in the room. Natalie stepped forward. “I want my daughter now.”
The man was holding Annalise’s hand again, and he looked over at Miss Walsh.
She turned to Alex. “And I want the marriage certificate. Once I have it in my hand, Gerard will release Annalise.”
Alex nodded and walked over to where the paper was being filled out. He took it and held it out to Miss Walsh. “Here you are.”
She snatched the paper, grinned at Alex, and said to Gerard, “Let the brat go.”
