Maybe she could even find a housemaid or cook that had experience with children. Better yet, Marybeth may allow her to stay for a time. Her cousin had three children, all of which she took an active role in raising.
As it happened, Marybeth fell in love with a local farmer and would not be swayed. She ran off and eloped with him. It had taken years for the family to forgive her, and even now, she was often excluded. Still, she and Cordelia were close despite the scandal.
Marybeth would both welcome and help her. Cordelia was sure of it.
“Everything will be alright, little one. Mama promises,” Cordelia whispered to her baby before drifting off to sleep.
* * *
The next morning, Cordelia strode toward the parlor with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. Mother and Father waited within to bid her farewell, and she was eager to say her goodbyes. She could not be away from here soon enough.
She stepped into the parlor, then froze, the blood draining from her face. Her entire body seemed to spin as she fought against the urge to faint, or caste up her accounts, or both.
What the deuce was Nathaniel doing here?
Her gaze flickered from his smug expression to her parents, who wore matching looks of disapproval and anger. The parson stood nearby holding his bible.
Anger boiled up in her. It was not hard to figure out what was happening. The no-good rogue had gotten his special license and revealed everything to her parents. He was here to force her into marriage.
She wanted to strangle him!
Cordelia fisted her hands at her sides and glared at Nathaniel. “I will not marry you,” she said, her tone loud and firm.
“You will marry the viscount.” Father’s command filled the room.
Cordelia shook her head and started to back from the room. The door to the parlor closed, sending a resounding thud through her heart. She held Nathaniel’s gaze as she said, “I won’t.”
“You lost the right to choose when you welcomed him into your bed,” Father said, his voice laced with disgust.
Anger and shame swam through Cordelia as she forced herself to meet Father’s gaze. “Please, Father. I cannot marry him.”
Mother strode closer, her eyes narrowed and flashing with anger. “You must. You are carrying his child. You’ll be ruined. We’ll all be ruined!”
“Nobody will be ruined,” Father comforted Mother, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “Cordelia is marring the viscount, and she is doing so this very minute.” He turned his commanding gaze on Cordelia. “Take your place beside Lord Wolverton.”
Cordelia shook her head, pressing her lips into a firm line. She could not find words, could not trust herself to speak. Never in all her life had she defied her parents so blatantly, but never had the stakes been so high. She could not succumb to Father’s demands. Could not allow Nathaniel to force her hand.
“Be reasonable,” Mother said, then moved to take hold of Cordelia’s arm, “If you do not obey, we will be forced to disown you. Everyone will gossip about you, and you will be branded a harlot.” Her gaze flicked to Cordelia’s stomach. “The child will be a bastard.”
Cordelia dug in her heels, preventing Mother from leading her to Nathaniel’s side and the waiting parson. “No.” She shook her head. “I have a plan to protect us all. Please, hear me out. Let me go to Yorkshire. I will have my baby and then leave England to live as a widow.”
She turned her head to meet Father’s icy gaze. “Father, please?” She begged.
Before Father could answer, someone cleared their throat, drawing Cordelia’s attention to the back corner of the parlor. Good God, The Earl of Holloway, Nathaniel’s father, rose from a high-back chair. “Allow me a few minutes with Lady Cordelia. I believe I may have some sway with her,” he said.
Cordelia could not say why, but Mother released her arm. In a few heartbeats, the parlor was empty of everyone other than herself and the earl.
Cordelia pressed her eyes closed and inhaled a deep breath. Heaven help her. She could not imagine what Lord Holloway might say, but she knew she did not want to hear it. All Cordelia wanted was to be safe in the carriage on her way to Yorkshire.
“Lady Cordelia,” he started, and she opened her eyes, her attention turning to him. He gave a slight smile. “I can understand your objections.”
A spark of hope lit deep in her chest. Perhaps she had an ally? “Then you will help me to avoid this union?”
“Ah, I’m afraid your situation is not so easy to escape.” The earl shook his head. Regret seemed to reflect in his eyes. “The only way I foresee you avoiding marriage to my wastrel of a son is by marrying someone else… today. Is there another?”
Cordelia’s shoulders slumped. “No, my lord.”
“Then it seems you have no other option. Honor your parent’s wishes and do what is right for the child. Your future is bleak, indeed.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I do not envy you. Such a young and attractive girl forced to marry a no-good scoundrel. He doesn’t deserve you. Nathaniel has never been worth the air he breathes.”
