Yes, she’d remembered that. Fat lot of good it did her. The rest of the world only cared about saving her reputation.
Every person within her midst had voiced their opinion that the earlabsolutely mustmarry her. She’d been carried away overnight, without her parents’ permission or knowledge, without a chaperone to the earl’s home.They must marry.
Darlington demanded it, most persistently.
Mrs. Hampden expected it, while clucking her tongue.
Sissy encouraged it, with a romantic sigh.
And even her mother would have it, quite matter-of-factly, at that! Everyone whose opinion could be heard was in accord upon the matter. Everybody, that is, except the prospective groom.
And of course, nobody thought to ask Natalie forheropinion. If anyone had bothered, they would have gotten an earful.
Because under no circumstances, ever again, would sheallow herself to be forced into a marriage with a reluctant groom. Especially when she loved the idiot!
A knock on the door interrupted her frustrated musings.
Upon being given permission to enter, Garrett himself pushed it open. It was as though her aching heart had summoned him.
Despite looking tired, he’d dressed in form-fitting breeches, waistcoat, jacket, and an expertly tied cravat. Marcus would have dressed him for this occasion. Oh, her father must be forcing him to propose to her now. He’d given in, the poor man. Ah, well, she’d put him out of his misery.
He looked fidgety, nervous. His hair was mussed, and his eyes more sunken than usual. None of this detracted from his looks, however. She still felt drawn to him. A physical pull exerted itself whenever he was near.
He, the addlepated male, seemed oblivious to her yearning.
“Sit down,” she invited. “I imagine you’ve been talking with Papa.”
Garrett nodded. “I have.” And then he sat on the side of her bed, well, his bed really. “You and I must talk.”
Not the most romantic choice of words with which to begin his proposal…
“You remember our last afternoon together at Raven’s Park—in the meadow?” At her blush, he rushed onward. “No, not that part—later, when we talked—when I told you why I could never marry and have a family.”
Natalie tilted her head, confused. “Yes.”
Appearing even more agitated, Garrett left the bed and strode to the window where the curtain had been pulled halfway open. “Well, it still stands.”
It took a moment for Natalie to absorb his blunt words. They were not at all what she expected. She could not see his face. It was in shadow. Not fair!
“Look at me,” she demanded. “What are you saying?”
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Garrett did not turn away from the window. “Your father and I have come to an agreement. Only as a last resort will you and I marry. There are other ways to ward off this scandal, and every one of them must be explored first. I do not wish to marry you.” He refused to look at her.
And then he did.
Behind his harsh words and feigned calm, sadness shadowed his eyes. His lips were tight and thin. He held himself rigidly.
“So”—Natalie needed to be certain she understood exactly what he was saying—“as the very last, the absolute last antidote to repair my reputation, you will then marry me—under duress, so to speak. Because…?” Natalie twirled her hands in the air as though summoning his reasoning. “This is all because of your father?”
“And the mud you would be dragged through as my wife. I won’t have it.”
Natalie took a deep breath. A part of her wanted to weep and beg, but she would not give in to it. Another part was trying to remind her of something. There was something…
“Perhaps it would beIwho would be draggingyouthrough the mud,” she suggested calmly.
“It would not.”
Ah, so he would not be moved. He had been badgered by both her oldest brother and her father and refused to yield his position. Admirable, really, in any other situation.
