She was to remain in the townhouse unseen for the entire week while they awaited Joseph’s wedding, the wedding that was to have been her own.
She was not to go shopping.
She was not to go to Gunter’s with her friends.
She was not to receive any visitors.
Nor write any letters.
In no uncertain terms, she was to be kept out of the public eye until they departed for London.
Surely she could not stay locked inside for the entire week! As her father’s little princess, Natalie usually was able to soften her father up when he was angry. And she needed some sort offreedom, for goodness sake! That being said, it took her a considerable amount of beseeching for him to relent. Eventually, he gave her permission to take one thirty-minute walk per day in Hyde Park with her chaperone, in the morning hours only.
She was not to stop.
She was not to converse with anyone.
She was not to extend the thirty minutes to thirty-two minutes or even to thirty-one minutes. If she did not follow these rules exactly, she would lose this privilege as well.
With that settled, Natalie sought one more concession. “May I attend the wedding?” Despite her extreme reluctance to be in the church on that particular day, she could not imagine missing Joseph’s wedding.
Her father looked to his wife for her opinion.
“The ceremony, I think,” Mother said, “but not the breakfast.”
They all sat without speaking for several moments, the rhythmic ticking of the ancient long-case clock the only sound in the room. Containing her desire to escape for as long as possible, Natalie waited two whole minutes before speaking. “May I be excused now, Papa?”
With narrowed eyes, her father pointed one finger at her. “You had better not disobey me! I will have your complete obedience, Natalie. And lest you find yourself tempted, remember your aunt Mary lives in Scotland and I am not opposed to sending you up there for a year or two, if necessary.”
Of course he would never do such a thing!
“Yes, Papa.” Natalie rushed around the desk to kiss her father’s weathered cheek and then dashed from the study. Relief swept through her to be finished with such disagreeable business. She would obey her father’s silly rules, and before she knew it, all thisrubbish would be far behind her. She simply needed to avoid trouble until after Joseph’s wedding. That ought not to be so hard. The Seasonwaswinding down, after all. How difficult could it be?
The newly titledEarl of Hawthorne braced himself as three familiar gentlemen strolled toward him along the walk. They were men with whom he’d broken bread, wagered cards, and practiced fisticuffs at Gentleman Jackson’s. As they neared him, their conversation halted and their countenances transformed from pleasure to distaste. All six eyes focused on some unknown distant object behind him. The only sound was their booted heels and wooden canes tapping along the pavement as they passed. This wasn’t the first time he’d received the cut today.
Walking aimlessly upon leaving his new office at Whitehall, Garrett Castleton resisted the urge to turn around and call the three of them out. Instead, he clenched his fists and increased his pace. News of his father’s crimes had spread quickly, and men he’d considered friends now treated him as though he had the plague. It ought not to bother him.
Although the morning air was cool, he reached up and tugged at his cravat. Resentment festered in his chest. To avoid any further unpleasant encounters, Garrett crossed the street to Hyde Park and headed down one of its less populated paths. The leaves rustled in the trees as a breeze stirred the air. Any breeze this time of year in London was welcome.
Unfortunately, solitude was not to be his for long, for the fragrant breeze of nature carried with it the distinctive scent of ladies’ perfume. Oh, wonderful, Lady Natalie Spencer—diamond of the first water—was just ahead. Careful to avoid soiling her slippers, she daintily picked her way toward himwith a maid in tow. Just what he needed, another snub by one of London’s elite.
He slowed his pace and scrutinized her, not bothering to move to one side or the other. By no stretch of the imagination was he feeling amicable in that moment.
She looked pale and fragile, wearing an icy blue confection of a dress. Of course, she carried the ridiculous ruffles and lace elegantly, not a bit of it hindering her practiced grace. Atop blonde tresses, she wore a jaunty hat, decorated with, of all things, two ladybugs and a butterfly. Ladies of thetonnever failed to surprise him in their frivolousness.
Apparently sensing his presence, she glanced up. Garrett watched her lashes flutter and noted her blue eyes widen before shifting away.
He halted, opened his stance, and planted his boots on each side of the path. The trail was narrow here. She would be forced to acknowledge his presence if she wished to pass. In no mood to play the gallant, he removed his hat and bowed mockingly.
“My lady.” His gaze travelled the length of her. He did nothing to hide his appraisal. In fact, he allowed it to linger over her tiny waist, bodice, and exposed décolletage. A flush spread across her creamy skin.
Hesitating for only a moment, with downcast eyes, the lady dipped into a flawless curtsey. “My lord…” She still had not looked directly at him. “I’ll thank you for permitting my maid and me to pass.” Garrett’s eyes fixed upon a loose curl dangling teasingly over one silken shoulder. His mind conjured up thoughts of how her skin might taste, how it would feel beneath his lips. In another world, she would be his for the taking.
But not in this one.
Although acquainted with the girl’s father and brothers, he’d never been allowed an introduction to the delicate flowerherself. “We’ve not been introduced, my lady. The Earl of Hawthorne at your service.” His tone made a mockery of his words. Standing before her, he was aggravated to note he suddenly felt coarse and brutish. How could he not? She embodied all of that which polite society esteemed.
She bit her lip and looked about, as though seeking escape. He could have sworn her sapphire eyes flashed. “You’ll excuse me please, my lord. I haven’t time to converse.” For the first time, he noticed she clutched a timepiece tightly. She glanced at it and frowned.
