Feeling distinctly out of his element, Walter struggled for something to say to lessen Elizabeth’s obvious embarrassment, but before he could summon a response, Tillie clearedher throat and caught his eye. “Don’t let us keep you, Mr. Townsend. You have a pony to get in hand.”
When all the ladies began nodding, Walter realized he’d just experienced the novelty of being dismissed. But unwilling to lose the opportunity to escape what was becoming an uncomfortable atmosphere, he inclined his head, turned on his heel, and strode away, whispers that seemed to center around the names of his two sons following in his wake.
Setting his sights on the wandering pony, he realized that, while he’d been distracted by the ladies, the creature had sidled closer to Mrs. Elliott and was now champing its pony-sized teeth as it eyed the elaborate hat on Mrs. Elliott’s head.
Walter increased his pace, snagged hold of reins trailing in the sand, and gave the pony a tug. Regrettably, the tugging merely earned him a whinny before the pony lunged forward, almost pulling Walter off his feet.
“That’s enough of that,” Walter said as he dug in his heels, bringing the pony to an abrupt stop. “You’re going to curb that nonsense if you expect to find a home with me at Sea Haven.”
He wasn’t exactly surprised when the pony released an argumentative type of snort.
“That’s hardly an attitude that’s going to convince me to keep you,” Walter said, blowing out a breath as the ridiculousness of his situation struck him yet again.
When he’d left Sea Haven that morning, he’d been looking forward to a pleasant day at the beach, but his day was turning out to be anything but enjoyable.
Frankly, he’d known mere seconds after Suzette Tilden handed him the reins to the pony and told him it was a gift for the children that his day was about to take a turn for the concerning. That theory had been proven moments later when a full-blown war erupted between Priscilla and Samuel, brought about because Suzette had not considered that presenting one pony to three children was likely going to cause a ruckus.
It had undoubtedly been one of the most spectacular ruckuses Bailey’s Beach had ever witnessed.
Priscilla immediately laid claim to the pony, which caused Samuel to launch into a screaming fit. His screams mingled with those from Priscilla, causing more than one guest at the beach to move their chairs far away from the tantrums Walter’s two governesses had been unable to control.
Realizing an intervention was required, Walter had stepped in, a mistake if there ever was one, because Priscilla had taken a large bite out of his arm when he’d tried to pick her up, causing him to almost drop her.
It wasn’t until his mother, Ethel, and his mother-in-law, Matilda, stepped in to stop the screaming by promising their grandchildren they’d run right out and purchase another pony, that the uproar came to an end, but Walter was not in accord with the means used to stop their theatrics—that being, unfortunately, bribery.
Bribery seemed to be a mainstay in his world these days, or perhaps it had been a part of his world ever since Vivian died but he simply hadn’t taken note of it. He’d taken note of it now though, even understood the reason behind it. His mother and mother-in-law were determined to compensate for the children being without a mother, but that compensation exactly explained how it had come to be that his children had turned into complete and utter terrors.
“Good heavens, Mr. Townsend,” Mrs. Elliott exclaimed, drawing his attention as she settled a beady eye on the pony. “Have a care with that beast. I just purchased this darling masterpiece on my head yesterday in the smartest little shop on Bellevue. I’d hate for it to be devoured before I’ve worn it a full day.”
Walter gave a tug of the reins, which only caused the pony to turn its head and send him a look filled with disdain.
It was a look he’d been receiving from Oscar for over twomonths now, and one he didn’t appreciate since Oscar was still a child and certainly didn’t have reason to be scornful of his father—contempt normally waiting to make an appearance until a boy gained a few more years on him.
“I beg your pardon, Mrs. Elliott,” Walter said, shaking himself from his thoughts when he realized the pony was now champing at the bit in its quest to take a bite out of the lady’s hat. He gave another tug, then another, having to use a bit of muscle to pull the pony away from a treat it was apparently determined to savor. “I don’t believe the pony inflicted any damage to your hat, but if you notice that is not the case, I’ll be more than happy to replace it for you.”
Mrs. Elliott smiled. “What a charming offer, Mr. Townsend. But you’ve always been a charming gentleman.” She glanced to the pony before she sent Walter a wink. “That’s quite the gift Miss Tilden presented to your children. I’ve been dying to learn if it may have put Suzette in the running to become the second Mrs. Townsend. Granted, she did not show to advantage last night, what with the punch incident, but she’s obviously trying to make amends for her serious lack of judgment. I imagine that pony has left you feeling in a more charitable state toward her.”
Thankfully, Walter was spared a response—because anything he might say could very well lead to Mrs. Elliott getting the wrong impression—when the pony lunged for Mrs. Elliott’s hat again. It was sheer luck he was able to rein the little monster in, and after bidding Mrs. Elliott a hasty good-bye, he began dragging the pony away, earning more than a few amused glances from his gentlemen friends, who seemed to find his situation highly entertaining.
None of them seemed inclined to assist him, undoubtedly due to the fact he was now, through no fault of his own, attracting far too much feminine attention, which was obviously taking attention away from the other gentlemen assembled at Bailey’s Beach.
When the pony suddenly came to an abrupt halt and refused to budge, Walter swiped a hand over a forehead beaded with sweat and glanced around as he debated his options, which weren’t many since he couldn’t very well pick up a pony and cart it away.
As he debated, his gaze traveled over the bathing houses placed sporadically up and down Bailey’s Beach, situated far enough from the shoreline that they weren’t affected by high tide.
The bathing houses, owned by the prominent members of the Spouting Rock Beach Association, commonly referred to as Bailey’s Beach Club, were surprisingly derelict in appearance. Constructed from bleached wooden shingles and weathered wood, they didn’t afford Bailey’s Beach the exclusive atmosphere one would expect in a beach community frequented by the very wealthy—although given that great store was placed on appearances in Newport, plans were probably already underway to erect new huts. Members of society would hardly care for the common folk to take note of the shoddy huts and question the extent of the wealth the members of Bailey’s Beach possessed.
Not that it was an easy feat for non-members to gain access to the beach. They were kept from enjoying the exclusive attitude of this section of Newport by the long drive leading up to Bailey’s Beach. The drive ended at a wrought-iron gate complete with watchmen who knew every carriage of every member of Bailey’s Beach, and they didn’t hesitate to stop carriages they didn’t recognize, only allowing non-members into the hallowed midst of Bailey’s if they were accompanied by a member.
Sweat dribbling down Walter’s face recalled him to the situation at hand, and after giving the reins another fruitless tug, his gaze returned to the bathing huts. His attention was suddenly captured by the sight of a lady strolling out of one of them,the gusty wind blowing in from the sea snatching off the lady’s wide-brimmed hat, revealing brilliant red hair that obscured the lady’s face.
Even without seeing the lady’s face, Walter knew she was none other than Miss Gwendolyn Brinley, the reason behind his current troubling situation, and a woman he was quite convinced had turned into the bane of his existence.
Seven
“See that lady over there?” Walter muttered to the pony, who merely turned its head and began eyeing another hat. “She’s a menace and is exactly why you’re now apparently a part of my family—not that you should be excited about that, because the Townsends are currently a train wreck in the making.”
The pony released a whinny, which Walter hoped was a nicker of sympathy instead of a warning the beast was about to make a move. Taking a second to wrap the reins around his hand, Walter returned his attention to Gwendolyn, allowing himself a moment to consider her.
