Chapter 3
Chapter Three
“ I should never have trusted him.” Natalie glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner.
It had been three weeks since she had spoken to Duke Blackwood. And she had heard nothing from him. At each reading of the Banns, Natalie had felt her hope dwindle and fade.
“Never have trusted who?” Rose asked.
“It does not matter.” Natalie sighed and glanced down at the wedding dress she was wearing. “It is too late to do anything about it now.” I should have known better than to trust any man . My brothers are the only decent ones.
The church loomed before her, seeming more like a prison than anything else. She supposed in a certain way it was as good as one.
“I had not thought they would fix the spoke of the carriage quite so quickly.” Natalie gestured to the carriage behind them. “Perhaps I should have damaged more wheels.”
“I do not know how you would have fit it in to your schedule, what with letting the dogs out of the kennels, releasing the horses from the stables and ‘losing’ your slippers.” Rose gave her a pointed look.
“And do not forget insisting that at least three different bouquets be fetched because the first few had faults.” Olivia, Natalie’s older sister added, a note of admiration in her voice. “I assume it was you who put the boys up to vomiting on the Marquess’s shoes?”
“They were perfectly happy to assist me.” Natalie smiled, but it felt forced. It bought me a few hours at least.
“I do not think a third fainting spell will be believed.” Rose muttered as she looked at Natalie, worry in her eyes. “Twice was already a stretch.”
“I know.” Natalie swallowed, feeling tears prick at the corner of her eyes. “I do not want to cry. I do not want to let him win.”
“He has not won. Not yet.” Olivia handed her a handkerchief. “There is still time.”
“I feel like there is a noose around my neck and with every moment it grows tighter.” Natalie rubbed her neck and the necklace she was wearing.
It was not the gaudy thing the Marquess had tried to force her to wear, but a peridot pendant that her niece Daphne had given her that was supposed to be good luck. She rubbed the stone.
Behind the door of the church, they could hear the muffled sound of a commotion. Natalie glanced down the road yet again. There was still no sign of anyone coming to rescue her.
Olivia squeezed her hand. “Goodness Natalie, I wish we could do more. The man is utterly loathsome.”
“I hate him. I hate this whole situation. I wish I had never been so trusting.” Natalie shook her head. “And now it is too late.”
“You could always poison him.” Olivia suggested, and Natalie was not entirely sure if she was joking. “Nigel happens to know rather a lot on the subject.”
“Natalie is not a murderer. Unlike Nigel’s beastly cousin.” Rose gently reprimanded Olivia.
“I know. Perhaps I should have let Peter duel him.” Natalie muttered.
“You made the right decision. If mother had not been in France with Jane perhaps things would be different.” Rose wrung her hands. “Honestly, I am not sure what my sister was thinking.”
“She wanted to take the children on an adventure. That is perfectly understandable. Besides, it is not like she planned for this.” Natalie squeezed Rose’s hand.
The door opened and Emily, Rose’s youngest sister, and one of Natalie’s closest friends appeared, with a crying toddler in her arms. A thuggish looking man in the Marquess’s colours stood behind her.
Natalie’s heart sank. That was the last obstacle.
“I am afraid the Marquess has had us removed from the church.” Emily said as she hugged her son and glared at the brute who had escorted her from the church.
A moment later, Emily’s husband, Luke Baine, Duke of Warren appeared. He glowered at the Marquess’s thug. “If you do not unhand my wife, I shall see you hanged.”
The brute raised an eyebrow before walking back into the church and closing the door. Natalie wondered how long it would be before he was sent to fetch her.
“Did he hurt you?” Luke asked, glancing at Emily.
Natalie’s heart twisted watching them. I will never have a love like that. There will be no joy for me.
“No. He did not.” Emily shook her head. “And he did not even have a chance to lay a hand on Nathaniel.”
The toddler sniffled and then glanced up at Natalie, smiling. “Mama let me make a scene!”
“And you did very well.” Natalie smiled back at Nathaniel.
“He bit the Marquess’s shin.” Emily said, pride in her voice. “He was trying to get him to stop throwing a tantrum in the aisle, and Nathaniel bit him.”
“You are not supposed to bite people.” Luke frowned at his son.
“But Mama said he a toad. Toads not people.” Nathaniel gave the crowd an imploring look.
“Biting a real toad, like the ones you find by a pond, will make you very sick, so perhaps it is best to avoid it in future.” Natalie gave him a hug. “Though I must thank you, little godson.”
The toddler gave her a pleased look. Natalie surveyed the gathered group around her. The clock chimed one o’clock. The door opened and Alexander peered through it.
“I am surprised that you are still here. Though relieved you have not fled to Scotland, my dear Natalie.” Alexander moved towards her.
“It was tempting, but I would have missed all of you too much. Not to mention the scandal it would have caused.” Natalie sighed and cast one last look over her shoulder. No one is coming. “Well, I suppose we might as well get this over with.”
Alexander gently looped her arm through his, and she was grateful for his steadying presence. He opened the door to the church and as they entered she saw her eldest brother glowering at Lord Bolton. He continued to do so the entire way down the aisle.
“I have failed you. I should have been able to stop this…” Alexander shook his head.
“You have your daughters to think about.” Natalie squeezed his arm. “And your nieces. You gave me time, by forcing him to go through the reading of the Banns.”
“It was not difficult to convince the archbishop to deny his applications. I still wish that I could have done more.” Alexander murmured.
As she approached Lord Bolton, he smiled at her, and she was seized with a violent urge to punch him. But she knew that it would do no good, it would only hurt her family.
Instead, she raised her head, standing tall and enjoying the embarrassment clear on his face as she towered over him.
He grabbed her arm hard and whispered, “I shall expect you to be more punctual once we are married.”
“Then you shall be disappointed.” Natalie retorted.
“I shall break you. And I will enjoy every minute of it.” He looked up at her, the promise of violence in his eyes.
“I could not quite hear you, as far away as you are down there. Perhaps we should fetch you a box.” She smiled sweetly at him. Down at him, more precisely.
For a moment, she thought the man would strike her. His face was purple with rage, but instead, he ground his teeth together and gestured for the minister to begin.
She was sure she would pay for her quip later, but she did not care. I will break you. He would not break her, she would not let him. But that did not mean some part of her was not already fracturing. I will not let him see that.
Natalie let the words wash over her as the priest began to speak. She chided herself over and over. After all, it was her temper that had got her into this mess. She might have been able to refute the Marquess’s claims if he had not had her scandal in his back pocket.
“Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.” The priest said, his words reverberating around the room.
No one said anything. The Marquess glared around, as though daring someone to speak. But no one did. Natalie felt the last shred of hope fade as the minister opened his mouth to continue.
“Well, if there are no objections, let us-_”
But the priest’s words were interrupted as the door to the church burst open. Sunlight streamed through it, almost blinding Natalie. There was something familiar in the languid, self-assured movements on the figure nearing her, though before she could identify him, a silky, smug voice rang out throughout the church.
“I am afraid I cannot allow this wedding to proceed.” Duke Blackwood strode down the aisle, looking as though he were on a pleasing promenade about a park..
He wore a magnificent dark blue coat and finely cut breeches which showed off his powerful physique. With each step, he seemed to grow taller, filling the space in the church and commanding everyone’s undivided attention.
Natalie only just managed to stop herself from gaping, trying not to think of how otherwordly and almost magical the sunlight silhouetting him made him look. Murmuring filled the church.
“Is that the Duke of Blackwood?” a voice whispered.
“What is he doing here?” another asked.
As the Duke drew level with her, he winked at her, and she resisted the urge to hit him with her bouquet. All softness and wonder faded in an instant.
“I see you are still every bit the rake the sheets promise you to be.” She whispered, her lips scarcely moving.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “And here I was, thinking you would see me as your gallant knight.”
“I had not thought you had such a penchant for theatrics.” She whispered so quietly her lips scarcely moved.
“You have seen nothing yet.” His eyes flashed, his own lips barely moved and then he turned from her to face Lord Bolton.
“What is the meaning of this?” Lord Bolton strode towards Duke Blackwood.
Natalie bit her lip to keep from laughing. Lord Bolton barely came up to Duke Blackwood’s chest. Duke Blackwood surveyed the man with such disdain that Lord Bolton took a step backwards.
“I have heard you are a little slow on the uptake, Lord Bolton, so I shall speak plainly, lest I stress your intellect to the point of breaking.” Duke Blackwood said calmly, his voice full of mockery.
There were a few notes of laughter from the pews.
“You utter-” Lord Bolton began, but Alexander stood in front of him and silenced him with a look.
Natalie smiled as she saw the anger and fear on the man’s face. She watched as Alexander turned to face Duke Blackwood. To her surprise, she realised that her brother was a few inches shorter than the Duke.
“Who are you?” Alexander asked. “And on what grounds do you object to this union?”
“I am Adrian Stone, Duke of Blackwood. And I bring proof that a marriage to this man would be a union that would defile this most holy of institutions.” Duke Blackwood turned to face the rest of the church, his voice seeming to draw their attention like moths to a flame. “This man lacks the moral fortitude to be a husband. He is overcome with lust and is the paragon of sin.”
“What are you talking about?” Lord Bolton hissed, stepping down from the dais and approaching Duke Blackwood.
“I believe it is ‘what are you talking about, your grace ’. And I think you know exactly what I am talking about, Lord Bolton.” The duke’s lips curled smugly with his emphasis on Bolton’s lower rank. “Your eleven children, by no less than seven different women, all of whom were former maids in your employ.”
There was a gasp from the crowd and muttering spread through the congregation. Natalie did her best to keep her face neutral. Eleven children? She saw a look of horror on the minister’s face, as he clutched the bible to his chest and shook his head.
“These women are destitute. Their lives are ruined and their children starving.” Duke Blackwood clenched his fist, and Natalie heard an edge to his voice.
He is actually angry, truly angry. The realisation struck her like a hammer. Though the Duke seemed cold and aloof, Natalie could see the muscles of his shoulders tense, the tightness of his fists.
“A baseless accusation. They are mere servants who have a grudge against me.” Lord Bolton’s voice trembled, even as he tried to make a dismissive gesture. “Besides, I am not married to any of them. I owe them nothing. Even if their allegations were true. Which they are not.”
The Duke whirled to face him, moving in a swift motion to stand on the step above him. He loomed in front of the dias, somehow seeming to grow even larger and taller as he did. Natalie swallowed.
His brown hair fell rakishly over his forehead, shadowing his eyes, his cold grey eyes full of dismissal and disgust as he stared at Lord Bolton. Every inch of him seemed carefully controlled, his beauty contrasted with Lord Bolton.
The Marquess took a step back, his eyes darting to the door at the end of the church and then back to the Duke. Natalie watched as he tugged the collar of his shirt, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.
“Do not think to lie in this house of God, sir. I know everything there is to know about you.” The Duke proclaimed, and Natalie could hear the calculated righteous indignation in his words. He certainly knows how to play a room.
The congregation muttered amongst themselves, like angry bees but she could tell the anger was directed at Lord Bolton not the Duke.
Perhaps I might help this along. After all, she had learned a thing or two from Lady Cotswalts. “I should never have trusted you. I cannot believe I have been so na?ve.”
She let the truth of her pain seep into her words, allowing a tear to trickle down her cheek. Peter moved to stand beside her, his arm wrapped around her. She buried her face in his chest, taking the moment to hide her smile.
“You are not the first to be taken in by this rogue. We owe a great thanks to Duke Blackwood.” Peter proclaimed, and Natalie could tell he was thoroughly enjoying being able to ridicule Lord Bolton. “No doubt these women would have pursued a breach of promise should they have the means.”
Natalie heard renewed whispering amongst the crowd. If Lord Bolton had suggested or promised marriage to any of these women, then they would be able to take him to court for breach of promise. Though what servant would be able to afford that?
Duke Blackwood nodded. “I have encouraged them to do so.”
“And I would be more than willing to provide any support they might need in their claims.” Alexander said, casting a disgusted look at Lord Bolton.
“You are making a mistake. Your Grace, do not believe these feeble lies.”
“I am not the liar here, Lord Bolton. And do not think I would make such claims without proof.” Duke Blackwood moved closer to Lord Bolton, and Natalie strained to hear the words he whispered. “This is just the start. I suggest you leave this place while you have any semblance of dignity.”
“Are you threatening me?” Lord Bolton muttered.
“That is exactly what I am doing. It is good to see you are not as simple minded as you look.” The Duke took a step away from him.
“You have no idea who you are dealing with.” Lord Bolton drew himself up to his full height, which only made him look more ridiculous.
“Oh I do hope he tries to fight us.” Peter whispered, his voice full of giddy excitement.
“I know exactly who I am dealing with.” Duke Blackwood took a step towards the man, forcing Lord Bolton to step away from him and almost fall down the stairs. “Do not think to trifle with me. I will ruin you in ways that you cannot even begin to fathom.”
The look on his face sent shivers down Natalie’s spine, and she was surprised that Lord Bolton did not immediately turn tail and flee.
He must be really stupid if he thinks he has a chance of winning
Duke Blackwood arched an eyebrow at the man, boredom clear on his face. Lord Bolton swallowed, but as he turned away from the Duke and began to walk away his eyes fell on her.
“Do not think this is the last you will see of me.” He whispered. “I will have my revenge.”
Natalie felt Peter tense beside her, readying to strike at the man but she held him back. “You do not scare me.”
As Lord Bolton reached the church doors, the Duke called, “I suggest you start looking after your children, Lord Bolton. All of them.”
Lord Bolton paused, Natalie saw him open his mouth to speak and then close it again, cowering away from Duke Blackwood’s look.
“I will be keeping an eye on you, Lord Bolton.” Duke Blackwood said, his words full of deadly promise.
Natalie watched as the man who would have been her husband turned a delicate shade of scarlet and fled the church before anyone could utter another word.
The room erupted into a wall of noise. She felt herself move out of the main church, while Alexander and Peter began to calm the crowd and encourage them to leave.
Relief coursed through her, tears of joy flowing down her cheeks. She moved away from the entrance of the church, around the corner breathing in the crisp, cool air.
“I am free. Free!” She sighed in relief, feeling lighter than she had done in weeks.
“I expect they will be talking about that for months to come.” A voice said from behind her.
Duke Blackwood was leaning against the stone wall, watching her, an amused smile on his face. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she hastily stopped spinning.
People were beginning to file out of the church, but they were far enough away that Natalie doubted they would bother her.
“Probably.” Natalie forced herself not to smile too broadly.
She noticed that Duke Blackwood was standing at such an angle that he would be almost impossible to see as people filed from the church.
“Thank you.” She said moving towards him, but stopping a respectable distance away.
The smell of his spicy sweet cologne washed over her, and she inhaled sharply without thinking. He arched an eyebrow at her, an amused smile on his face. She was in too good a mood to let him irritate her.
“Do not forget that we had a deal, Lady Natalie. I did not help you out of the goodness of my heart.” He took a step towards her, placing a hand on his chest.
“So you admit, you have a heart then?” Natalie teased, unable to help herself.
He shrugged, the corners of his mouth quirking upwards. “Perhaps.”
“I am sure my brother will be happy to pay any price you name. No one wanted me to marry Lord Bolton.” Natalie shuddered. “Land. Money. Alexander will make sure you are more than adequately compensated.”
“Oh, I have no need for land or money. I have more than enough of both.” Duke Blackwood grinned as he took a step towards her.
“He has several excellent vineyards.” Natalie’s eyes met the Duke’s and her heart skittered in her chest. “Perhaps you might care for some of the rarer bottles?”
The Duke shook his head. “My price is something far rarer than any mere bottle of wine.”
“What do you mean?” Natalie looked into his cool grey eyes, her throat suddenly dry.
“I would have thought it obvious, little Sparrow.” His eyes blazed with intensity as he took a step closer. “I want you.”
Her cheeks flushed scarlet and she shook her head, her heart sinking. “You… Surely I am mistaken. I thought… I am not… I am not that kind of woman.”
“I know you are not.”
“Then what… I do not understand.” Natalie whispered.
“Then let me be clear.” Duke Blackwood laughed softly, took her hand in his and gently pressed it to his lips. “I want the one thing I do not have.”
He leaned down. The smell of amber, musk and myrrh filled her senses. His breath tickled her skin and Natalie gasped, a shiver running up her arm and down her spine as he whispered, “a wife.”