Gideon brushed aside a strand of black hair that had escaped the tie fashioned at the back of his neck. “I would think your smartest decision of late would be deciding you want to marry again.”
“I’m not certain that was awisedecision, more on the lines of anecessaryone.” Walter blew out a breath. “The children have become almost unmanageable of late, their increasing misbehavior aided by two grandmothers who seem to believe their grandchildren are going to suffer irreparable harm if their every whim isn’t appeased.”
“Perhaps you should look into hiring more effective governesses as opposed to the life-altering permanence of matrimony.”
“I’ve hired effective governesses before. They never stay long because they have a habit of tussling with my mother and mother-in-law. Constant friction seems to be a breaking point with the staff.”
Gideon shot a look to Gwendolyn, who was jotting something down in a notepad she’d whipped out of a fashionable reticule hanging from her wrist. “It’s unfortunate you couldn’t talk Miss Brinley into taking on a governess position. From what you’ve told me, she has a very managing way about her. I don’t get the impression she’d be cowed by the grandmothers.”
“Believe me, I tried. She wouldn’t consider my offer. She’s evidently a woman who takes her commitments seriously, and she committed her entire summer to Mrs. Parker. I’m not happy to admit this, but I find her determination to see her pledge to Mrs. Parker through to the end impressive. It, annoyingly enough, speaks well of her character.”
“It does indeed,” Gideon agreed. “I don’t imagine you enjoyedher refusal of a position though. You’re not one to frequently suffer losses.”
“I didn’t appreciate her refusal, but I don’t think I’ve lost the battle between us, not when I had the foresight to have Mrs. Parker sponsor me. That brilliant move has left Gwendolyn in charge of my social itinerary. Given how ladies seem to be unusually intimidated by my matchmaker, I’ll now be able to enjoy a less stressful summer.”
“How does Gwendolyn feel about being responsible for your social docket?”
“She’s less than exuberant, which means we’re certain to have a few confrontations in the near future.”
Gideon tilted his head. “Why do I get the distinct impression you’re relishing the idea of battles with Gwendolyn?”
“I never said I was savoring the idea of exchanging barbs with her.”
“Your face suggests otherwise.”
A laugh escaped Walter. “You, my friend, have clearly been immersed in cloak-and-dagger missions for far too long. You’re looking for intrigue when none exists. Gwendolyn is my matchmaker, nothing more.”
Walter ignored the rather telling snort Gideon sent him and shot a look to where Gwendolyn was still talking with Miss Cordelia Lowe. Her toe was now tapping against the highly polished parquet floor, keeping time with the words erupting out of Cordelia’s mouth.
To Walter’s concern, Gwendolyn looked up, caught his gaze, narrowed her eyes, then returned her attention to Cordelia for a second before she inclined her head and began heading his way.
“Your matchmaker doesn’t look happy,” Gideon muttered. “Which means I’ll bid you adieu for now.”
“You don’t want to meet her?”
“And have her begin interrogating me after she discovers I’ma bachelor? She’s representing two young ladies this summer—I think not. I, unlike you, am not in the market for a wife.”
With that, Gideon turned and moved through the crowd, leaving Walter alone to face what would probably be another contentious exchange with Gwendolyn, something he was becoming accustomed to.
“You’re late,” Gwendolyn said when she stopped in front of him, her green eyes flashing with temper.
Walter presented her with a bow. “How lovely to see you as well, Gwendolyn. As for why I was late, I was unavoidably delayed.”
“The children giving you difficulties?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Then why are you late?”
“I needed a nap.”
The sparks in Gwendolyn’s eyes turned to flames. “A nap? You don’t have time for that type of nonsense. You should have been here right at nine, because while you were napping, or waking up from that nap, I was being inundated with requests to fill your name on dance cards. Lacking prior consultation with you, I was hesitant to act on your behalf, but if I’d have known you were at your leisure, I’d have...”
“Put my name on Cordelia Lowe’s dance card.”
“I was thinking more on the lines of Tillie Wickham, but since Cordelia just had the audacity to try to wheedle unfettered access to your social schedule by offering me a hat, one she claims is in the first state of fashion, she might end up with your name on her dance card as well.” Gwendolyn crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t believe I’ve ever been so insulted. But hat nonsense aside, we are faced with a gargantuan task, further complicated by an eight-week timeframe, of which one week is almost over. You’re going to have to keep your napping to a minimum.”
Walter shrugged that aside. “It’s not imperative we acquire asuitable candidate this Season. The children have been running amok for years, so if we’re unsuccessful here, we’ll try during the New York Season.”
