“He was cheating.”
“That’s beside the point. You shouldn’t have been in the saloon in the first place, even though you disguised yourself as a man.”
Catriona shrugged. “Barnabas taught me how to play poker, and I was afraid my poker skills were growing rusty. And Icouldn’t very well have breezed into a rowdy saloon wearing a ballgown. That might have caused a riot.”
“You did cause a riot after it was revealed you were a lady when that man you accused of being a cheat snatched the hat from your head. You’re fortunate I took note of your interest in that saloon earlier and was able to intercede before matters got completely out of hand.”
“You do have an odd proclivity for knowing how to ruin my amusements.”
“Or keep you alive.”
The edges of Catriona’s lips quirked. “I suppose there is that.”
“Indeed, and while I understand how you may have become restless in the Berkshires, even though you were only there for a few weeks, Newport is not the place for you to find your next amusement.”
“Ward McAllister’s picnic was rather amusing yesterday, and while you’ve made it clear that, no matter the extent of my fortune, I won’t be accepted by the society set—given we Sullivans are Irish—darling Ward seems to think differently. He told me he’d be honored if I’d dust off my extraordinary vocal cords and sing at a ball he’s assisting a Mrs. Dickerman with at the end of the Season. He mentioned I would be the guest of honor.”
“You’ll be no such thing. You’ll merely be the former opera singer everyone will enjoy listening to but won’t bother to socialize with after you’ve completed your songs.”
“I definitely haven’t missed your quarrelsome nature,” Catriona grumbled.
“Another reason why you should return to the Berkshires.”
“Did you miss the part where I said I was bored? I’d much rather be here, helping you out.”
“The last thing I need is your assistance, because you have to realize you’ll be more of a hindrance than a help. Gentlemen become smitten with you at first glance. Besotted gentlemenare not going to endear me to society ladies, especially when many of those ladies will most assuredly be hoping to form attachments to the very gentlemen longing to spend their time in your company.”
“Perhaps one of these society gentlemen will become so smitten with me I’ll consider marrying again.”
“Oh ... no,” Gwendolyn muttered as she rose to her feet. “You’ve been contemplating getting married again?”
“Well, no, and I’ll stop contemplating it now if you’ll agree to let me help you with matchmaking.”
“Absolutely not. You have to return to the Berkshires.”
Catriona tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “I’m not leaving. I’ve rented this cottage for the next two months, and I intend to stay here. You would not believe the effort it took for me to find lodgings at such short notice. It was only sheer luck a real estate broker in New York City was able to find me this delightful cottage. At first he told me it’s impossible to secure an acceptable place in Newport this late in the Season. The dear man only found success because the Green family unexpectedly quit Newport for some unknown reason, which put this cottage back on the market.”
“The Greens hightailed it out of Newport because society refused to grant them entrance into any society events, the embarrassment of that almost causing Mrs. Green, at least according to rumor, to suffer a nervous incident. You’re prone to nervous conditions as well, and when you realize society won’t embrace you with open arms, you’ll undoubtedly descend into one of your despondent states.”
“You’re more than adept at pulling me out of those states.”
“True, but if you’ve forgotten, I’m not here on holiday. That means I won’t have time to coddle you.”
Catriona began twirling a strand of her hair. “I distinctly remember you telling me that spending your summer in Newport was going to be a holiday for you.”
Tension began building at the base of Gwendolyn’s neck. Taking a second to soothe it away, she retook her seat, knowing there was nothing left to do but proceed as delicately as possible with a conversation she could no longer avoid.
“I was hoping to steer clear of this particular topic, Catriona, but it’s apparently one we need to discuss, and sooner rather than later, given your arrival in Newport.” She reached out and took hold of Catriona’s hand. “I’m not certain where to begin, but how about if I start with a question. Have you ever contemplated the explanation I gave you regarding why I was determined to take on a different paid position this summer?”
“ShouldI have considered the matter more closely?”
“Since you made the rash decision to join me, and you also know I don’t need to work for a living, yes.”
Catriona tapped a finger against her chin for a long moment before her eyes suddenly widened. “Good heavens. It’s no wonder you don’t want me here. You traveled to Newport without me to find a husband, and you knew if I came with you, you wouldn’t be able to devote all your attention to your mission because, well, I can be a handful at times.”
The tension in Gwendolyn’s neck increased. “That’s not it at all, although I won’t argue about the handful business. However, how do you think I’d be able to find a husband in Newport when I’m not traveling in society? I’m merely an assistant matchmaker, hardly a position that would have any gentleman clamoring to become known to me.”
“Hmmm ... an excellent point.” Catriona bit her lip, tilted her head, and then nodded. “You’re obviously hoping to find a Cinderella story, quite like the one your mother found when she met your father.”
