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Her sister and her husband preferred evenings at home with their children, and the only time they seemed to entertain was when Edwin insisted it was time to come out of their cocoons and socialize a bit.
There was an assembly every Saturday evening at the beautiful Assembly Hall, and she had attended a few times with Rayne, Edwin, and their circle of friends. While she enjoyed their company, she did feel like an extra wheel since they were all blissfully married. Each of the men made sure to ask her to dance, and even one or two other men in attendance at the assembly had done so, but it was still a tad awkward.
Two years ago, when she had been thankfully released from her marriage, she had promised to never think about marriage again. Not that she had reason to consider it now, and, even if she did, there was no one she had met that she found interesting enough to even contemplate such a step.
One final glance in the mirror and she was ready to join Rayne and Edwin downstairs as they awaited their dinner guests. The blue gown she’d chosen was new, something she had been proud to purchase with her earnings. Mary, Rayne’s lady’s maid who they shared, had fixed her hair into a lovely style with a matching blue ribbon wound throughout. A simple pearl necklace and matching pearl earbobs—gifts from her sister and her husband—completed the elegant, simple outfit.
Rayne had assured her that there would be new people for her to meet at this dinner party, to which she was looking forward. Voices rose to her ears as she made her way to the drawing room.
“Ah, here is my lovely sister-in-law now.” Edwin held out his hand and she moved in his direction.
He motioned to the few people he’d been conversing with. “Mrs. Natalie
Shaw, may I make known to you Lord St. John, Lord David Campbell, and his mother, Lady Mary Campbell.”
She offered a slight curtsy as they all greeted her. She was especially taken by Lord St. John because he seemed to stare at her with a very thoughtful expression. Perhaps she reminded him of someone else.
“May I get you a drink, Mrs. Shaw?” St. John asked.
“Yes. I would like a sherry, please.”
He returned shortly with a glass in his hand that he handed to her, and then took up a position next to her in the circle. Lord Campbell had been entertaining them with a story about a race around his property in an attempt to corral his dog who was wont to lead him on a merry chase once in a while.
“I believe she does that because she sees a need in me to keep up my manly physique,” he laughed.
In addition to the new people at the dinner party, Natalie noticed Pamela and her husband, Nick, and Lottie and her husband, Carter, speaking with Rayne. The other ladies in their circle of friends, Addie and Lizbeth, both had sick children and had chosen to stay home.
“I understand you work with your sister in her medical practice.” Lord St. John spoke in a low enough voice that only she heard what he’d said as the others continued a discussion on politics. Something that Natalie was more than happy to be left out of.
“Yes. When I first moved here two years ago, Rayne offered to train me as her nursing assistant since the woman who had been working for her married and moved to London to be with her husband.”
She didn’t think it was her imagination, but it appeared Lord St. John had maneuvered them so they were no longer a part of the circle.
“How do you like doing that sort of work? One wonders if it is not a tad messy for a lady.”
Thinking back on the messes she’d been forced to clean up during her marriage to Milton, she smiled softly. “No. I can manage most situations. It’s only when a child comes in needing stitches that my stomach roils.”
“Ah. That is understandable. I remember Sterling telling me you have a child of your own.”
Natalie couldn’t help the smile that broke out on her face. “Yes. Annalise is the light of my life. She is six years old and keeps me amused most of the time.”
“And when she’s not amusing you?” he asked with a smirk.
“Well, then she’s most likely sitting on her bed contemplating her poor behavior.”
They both laughed, and Natalie felt an easiness with this man she hadn’t enjoyed with any other man in a long while. He was certainly handsome enough, with dark hair that fell on his forehead and covered the back of his collar. His deep blue eyes were a contrast to his dark hair, adding more interest to his aristocratic features.
But aside from that had been the attention he’d paid her since she had first stepped into the room. Lacking a social life, it was rare for her to experience the attention of a man. Even if she had no desire to ever marry again, she could certainly revel in a handsome man’s attention for one evening.
“Do you attend the assemblies, Mrs. Shaw?”
Natalie shook her head. “Not often. I have gone a few times, but, unless Rayne and Sterling are going, I don’t either.”
He took a sip of his drink. “It appears you need more of a social life.”
Before she could speak on that, or even consider it, Jasper, the Sterling’s butler, appeared at the door to announce dinner. Lord St. John held his arm out to her. “May I escort you?”
They entered the dining room and—either by chance or planned—she and Lord St. John were seated next to each other.
