Problem solved.
Shaking his head in amusement, Garrett looked over at Natalie and shrugged. She appeared to be holding back laughter. Best not to hang around here, though.
With one hand on the small of her back, Garrett steered Natalie and the pup clear of the two fallen cads and back to the house. The men were drunk, but they were also members of the bloodyton. This fact was laughable, and yet it illuminated the twisted culture inherent within society. The power wielded by such an institution annoyed him.
Garrett didn’t know what these two had witnessed, but if they’d managed to see Garrett kissing Natalie, they would likely not keep the information to themselves. Not that he thought they would even remember the encounter, but if they did, they could instigate all manner of trouble.
The wrong kind of trouble.
Garrett needed to end this…whatever…with Lady Natalie. He could never offer for her. Because he cared for her. If she were to marry him, they would both regret it.
She wanted to be a mother.
She wanted children.
The gravity of this sank his heart like a stone.
He must set her free.
SOMETHING HAD UPSET HIM
Something had upset him.
Farley and his cohort had been rude and insulting, but Natalie didn’t think that would have put Lord Hawthorne into such a somber mood.
He didn’t speak a word as he escorted her back onto the terrace. He didn’t attempt to kiss her again nor touch her any more than necessary. Feeling bereft with the sudden removal of his attentions, Natalie hugged her pet under her chin and slipped back into the drawing room. He did not, himself, rejoin the entertainment. He’d given no explanation, only bade her good night.
With the charades game once again in full swing, this time with several gentlemen participating, Natalie’s return went unnoticed. As did Lord Hawthorne’s absence. To avoid conversation, Natalie sat in one of the window seats with Baby Bear. There, she feigned an interest in the antics of Lord Riverton as he attempted to mime what could only be described as a giant rat.
Was it something she’d said? She massaged the folds of skin on Baby Bear’s tiny frame and reflected upon all that she’d toldhim. He had meticulously interrogated her about her broken engagement. She, in turn, had done nothing to hide her true feelings from him. Interesting that she could be so forthcoming when she’d known him for less than a week.
But why did he care what her feelings were regarding marriage and betrothal? Was he asking in a general sense? Or did he have another motive?
What about the betrothal caused you distress?He asked this question of her when no one, not her father, her mother, her brothers, nor even her ex-fiancé, had thought to ask. Did it matter?
Of course! It ought to have mattered greatly.
There’d been concern for her reputation, concern for the broken contracts, and concern that she find a new suitable betrothed, but no one,no one,had bothered to ask why she was so distressed!
So why should Garrett Castleton care?
Were you not looking forward to such a lofty title?Again, a question no one else had bothered to ask. It was as though Garrett saw her as an intelligent but emotional human being. As her own individual person, with feelings and fears and dreams.
And he had held her close. He’d kissed her with passion and, yes, with tenderness!
What did he mean by it?
She did not wish to consider the concept that teased her. It was such an outrageous thought she dared not let it voice itself even in her own mind.
Doeshewish to become betrothed to me?
There, now she’d done it. She’d allowed the thought to enter, and of course, now it would torment her until she knew the answer.
Her parents would never allow it. Her brothers would chase him off the estate the moment they perceived his intent.
Because…because it was one thing to welcome a man into your home, quite another to allow him to marry your daughter. Before this week, Garrett had been essentially blacklisted by most of theton. His wife, although a countess, might very well be banished from society. Garrett’s father had been exposed as a madman! Garrett and his children would be tarnished thusly as well.
Natalie touched her abdomen. It would be cruel and irresponsible to have children when they might be born with such a tragic flaw. How must Lord Hawthorne feel, then? How must Garrett feel? With that thought, a sharp ache squeezed her heart.
