“I told you, I needed a bit of a respite from my cousin.”
“But you said she was paying you to be her companion as well.”
“Catriona knows how difficult she can be. Paying me a salary allowed her to alleviate the guilt she felt when she behaved poorly, and it allowed me an opportunity to make my own way in the world, never having to touch the trust my father has set aside for me. Given that my cousin enjoyed lavishing bonuses on me, as well as picking up the tab when we visited the House of Worth in Paris, I was able to live a very comfortable life without relying on my father’s support to do so.”
“But young ladies from wealthy families always rely on their fathers to support them.”
“I’ve always been a little different.”
Mrs. Parker settled back against the chaise. “I won’t arguewith you there, because there’s little doubt you enjoy embracing a most unconventional attitude.”
“Indeed, which is why it wasn’t out of character for me to accept your offer of employment. With that said, this is where I assume we part ways.”
An airy wave of a hand was Mrs. Parker’s first reply to that. “You should assume nothing of the sort. I’m not getting rid of you. In fact, now that I think about it, I should have immediately realized you’re from quality, albeit somewhat tarnished quality. Your manners are impeccable, except when you speak your mind, and you have an air of confidence one doesn’t usually see in companions. That confidence will surely come in handy as we travel through the Season, procuring spectacular matches for our two ladies.”
Disappointment was swift. “But if word gets out I’m one of the Scandalous Brinleys, I’ll undoubtedly be snubbed more than I already am, which won’t help you in the least. It truly will be in your best interest to fire me. No one will blink an eye about that, not after what happened last night.”
“Another impressive attempt to wiggle out of your commitment, but I doubt anyone will learn about your family. As I mentioned, you’ve become a Newport sensation. We’re going to capitalize on that, especially since there are a few gentlemen who haven’t dropped off their calling cards. Besides Clarence Higgenson, Walter Townsend has not come to call. I have it on good authority he’s expected at Bailey’s Beach today as well, which suggests our seaside excursion will be very productive.”
“Walter Townsend isn’t going to want to speak with me, no matter if I’ve become a sensation or not. I did, after all, douse him with punch, and gentlemen usually prefer to stay far removed from ladies who have a propensity for dousing.”
“Do you make a habit of saturating gentlemen with beverages?”
“Well, no, but he doesn’t know that.”
“You’re reaching, Miss Brinley, and besides that, since you’re concerned Clarence may harbor feelings for the scandalous Mrs. Lanier, I would think you’d relish the opportunity to seek him out. If you discover he holds Mrs. Lanier in great affection, I’ll take it under advisement and will perhaps discourage his interest in Miss Howe.”
Gwendolyn arched a brow. “Because you, under that formidable air you project to the world, are a romantic at heart, which is why you’ve set yourself up as a matchmaker?”
Mrs. Parker arched a brow right back at her. “Don’t be absurd. I’m a businesswoman at heart. I set myself up as a matchmaker because Mr. Parker is miserly when it comes to jewelry.” She sighed. “I enjoy diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and the like, but Mr. Parker decided years ago I had enough jewels to last me the rest of my days. I knew drastic measures were needed to appease my desire for jewelry and found the solution to my problem after I joined a cantankerous society matron by the name of Mrs. Andrew Stillwater for tea.”
“Mrs. Stillwater knew something about the matchmaking business?”
“Knew about it? My dear, she was practically the one who invented it.” Mrs. Parker picked a piece of lint from her light blue morning gown. “Frankly, I was reluctant to join Mrs. Stillwater for tea because she’s a frightful sort, but during our tea, she shared with me her most delicious secret—she dabbled in matchmaking. She’d taken up that role because her husband wouldn’t indulge her love of prime horseflesh. After realizing there were society mothers who would willingly provide Mrs. Stillwater with whatever horse her cantankerous heart desired if she could navigate advantageous unions for their daughters, she threw herself into making match after match, securing herself a stable that’s the envy of devoted equestrians everywhere. After learning of her success, I decided to try my hand at matchmaking as well.”
Gwendolyn tilted her head. “So Mrs. Stillwater received horses as payment and you receive jewels, but do any matchmakers accept cash for matches made?”
“Good heavens no. That would be common, and society matrons are never common.” Mrs. Parker checked the watch dangling from a chain on her wrist. “But time is getting away from us. The carriage will be here soon, and then we’ll be off for the beach.”
“Where you want me to have this tête-à-tête with Clarence Higgenson?”
“Exactly, and if you discover he doesn’t hold Mrs. Lanier in great esteem, I then expect you to extol Hannah’s many virtues to him.”
“I’m not certain how you think I’m going to go about receiving an audience with Clarence—a gentleman I’ve seen at several events but have never met.”
Mrs. Parker’s eyes began to gleam in a most concerning fashion. “You’ll be pleased to learn I’ve come up with a foolproof plan to guarantee you unrestricted time with him.”
“A foolproof plan?”
“You’re going to suffer a near drowning.”
“I know how to swim.”
Mrs. Parker shrugged. “No one knows that, and we’ll use their lack of knowledge to our advantage. A gentleman can’t ignore a drowning woman, and since Clarence spends most of his time in the water at Bailey’s Beach, it’s the best possible way to give you a reason to converse with him. All you need to do is position yourself close to him and begin thrashing about as if you’re about to drown. You might want to duck underneath the water a time or two for good measure.”
“I’m not feigning a drowning.”
“How else will you get Clarence to admit he holds any affection for Mrs. Lanier unless he’s distracted? That’s not information a gentleman’s going to blurt out. But his guard willbe down after he carries you from the ocean, where, of course, you should simulate a grave coughing incident before you oh-so-delicately begin interrogating him about the divorcee.”
