Chapter 5

Five

C ordelia shook from the top of her head all the way to the tips of her toes. How dare Nathaniel threaten her? She glared at him. "Very well, now get out of my way," she said, her tone sharp, as she made no effort to hide her anger.

"I'll be back as soon as I procure a special license. Do share the good news with your parents," Nathaniel said, his tone brooking no argument.

The moment he stepped out of her way, Cordelia made haste for her bedchamber. By the time he realized what had happened, she would be gone. Best of all, by the time he caught up with her, she would be free.

With Mother's permission, Cordelia had written to her cousin, Marybeth, in Yorkshire. She was now set to go for a visit. Her carriage would depart in the morning.

Even if Nathaniel arrived tomorrow with a license in hand, he would be too late. At the least, she would be several hours away.

Cordelia pushed her bedchamber door open with a satisfied smile. She moved to glare out her window at Nathaniel's departing form. The arrogant rogue! She would show him.

He would not bully her, nor would she allow him to force her into anything. She could not, for she had the babe to protect. She placed a protective hand over her midsection. Her child would fare better as a widow's son or daughter than a rogue's.

A moment of regret swept through her. Not remorse for what she had done, nor the consequence of it, but she bemoaned who she'd done it with. If Nathaniel were any other man—a decent man, everything would be different.

She would marry him without remorse. Cordelia may even find joy in the arrangement. Her child would be legitimate, and she could remain in England. But not with Nathaniel.

Marriage to him would break her, and the damage would reach her baby. They would be gossiped about, and the most elite of society would not welcome them. Every time Nathaniel strayed from her bed, his actions would pierce her heart, for surely she would come to love him. Hurt and embarrassment would consume her.

Her child would be ostracized and forced to grow up in an unhappy home. If she carried a son, he may weather it all and come to have a good life as a peer of the realm. But a daughter? She would be hard-pressed to find a place among her peers. She certainly would lack suitable marriage prospects.

Cordelia could not subject her child to the devastating outcomes. She could not risk her child's future. Nor would she sentence herself to such embarrassment and heartache.

It was not to be born. She straightened her posture and moved to her dressing table with renewed determination. As she waited for her maid, she removed her hairpins, then began brushing out her hair.

A tap soon sounded at her bedchamber door.

"Come in," Cordelia called out.

Macy, her lady's maid, entered. "Good evening, my lady." Macy dipped a curtsey.

Cordelia smiled, then said, "Be sure my things are ready at first light. I have no wish to delay my departure."

Macy drew nearer as Cordelia stood so she could help her from her dress. "I have your trunks and valise ready to go."

"Very good," Cordelia said, presenting her back so Macy could unbutton her frock. "I have no wish to sleep past dawn. Have yourself dressed and ready before sun up. Once you are prepared for the journey, come wake me."

"As you wish, ma'am," Macy said, her voice cheerful. "Truth be told, I am excited about the trip. It has been quite some time since we visited Yorkshire."

"Indeed." Cordelia smiled as her dress slid from her shoulders. She stepped from the pool of organdy and went to her bed.

Macy collected the pile of blue organdy from the floor and held it close to her chest. Turning to Cordelia, she asked, "Is there anything else you require? Perhaps a tonic to help you sleep? Or a glass of warm milk?"

"No, thank you, Macy. Go get some rest." Cordelia pulled her bedspread up to her chin as Macy took her leave.

She could not help but wonder if her perceptive maid had yet to notice her condition, or if she was simply keeping quiet on the matter. The woman noticed everything—including the fact that Cordelia hadn't been sleeping well—so she suspected the latter and was ever so grateful that Macy did not bring up the pregnancy.

She was an excellent maid, and Cordelia meant to keep her on once she gained her freedom. Perhaps Macy could serve as a companion and a lady's maid? Though Cordelia would gain control of her finances, she would not have so much coin that she could hire an entire staff of servants.

There would be enough for a comfortable cottage, Macy, a cook, a footman, and a housemaid. In all likelihood, Cordelia could not afford a wet nurse or nanny. She did not mind as she planned to be a hands-on mother, but fretted that she may not be up to the task.

Perhaps she was making a mistake?

What if she did not produce enough milk for the babe? What if her baby did not respond well to her? What if the baby wailed and cried, and she did not know how to soothe the child? Cordelia had very little experience with babies.

She sighed and covered her belly with her hand. Such thinking would drive her mad, and there really was no reason for it. Everything would work out. Cordelia would learn how to be an excellent mother. She would raise the child with love and patience. Furthermore, Macy would be with her to help.

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.

T he 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."

A shiver of disgust ran down her spine. How could a father talk about his son in such a way? The earl's words returned Cordelia to the library. Took her back to the day she and Nathaniel had joined. It was no wonder Nathaniel behaved as he did with such a monster for a father.

"But you can take comfort in the fact that you will someday be a countess."

Cordelia pivoted away from the earl's touch. "I don't give a fig about your title." She notched her chin. "I'm going to marry Nathaniel for no other reason than to prove you wrong."

"Is that so?" the earl asked, his brow arched in amusement.

Cordelia strode toward the parlor door but not before saying, "Your son is not worthless."

The earl's dark chuckle followed her, wrapping her in foreboding as she pushed the door open. Cordelia ignored the unsettling feeling and met Nathaniel's gaze. "Let us get on with the ceremony."

Before she had time to consider her actions or the reasons for them, the parson announced them, husband and wife. There was no fanfare, no fancy frock, no flowers or attendants—nothing save for the special license and those who occupied the parlor.

When it was over, Mother and Father turned and strode from the parlor without a word. The earl followed them, pausing for a moment to give Cordelia a self-satisfied nod.

"I'll wager you regret this marriage before the sun sets tonight," he said, shaking his head. "The wallflower and the wastrel, it ought to make for endless amusement."

Nathaniel jerked as though his father's words struck a blow, then took a step toward him.

Cordelia placed her hand on his arm. "Let him go."

To her amazement, Nathaniel stilled. The two of them stood side by side in silence as the earl took his leave. Once Lord Holloway disappeared from view, Nathaniel turned back to Cordelia. "You are right. Let us go home, now."

Home. She was to go with him, now. To his—no—their home. She would be in his realm as his wife. Alone with him for the first time since the library. At his mercy.

There was nothing left for her to do. Cordelia swallowed hard, then gave an affirmative nod.

Somehow, she would maintain her independence and guard her heart.