“You’re going to need to explain that a little more sufficiently.”
Catriona threw up her hands. “I would think that would be obvious, but since it’s apparently not—you’re looking for alove like your parents enjoy. That became clear to me when you received more than your fair share of attention from gentlemen as we traveled the world, but you were never taken with any of them, and refused numerous marriage proposals. At first, I was baffled about your disinterest, but then I realized you might have been waiting for them to extend you a special gesture, like the prince presenting Cinderella with her shoe and your father turning his back on society to marry your mother. That right there exactly explains why you’re in Newport posing as the help.”
“I’m not posing. I am the help.”
“That’s merely semantics, and you know it. You took up a position for the summer because you’re hoping a gentleman will overlook your lowly status as an assistant matchmaker and want you simply for you.”
Gwendolyn shoved aside the niggling thought her cousin wasn’t entirely off the mark regarding the whole wanting to find a love like her parents enjoyed and forced a smile. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken, because I certainly didn’t create a convoluted plan to search for a husband this summer. If you’ve forgotten, I decided years ago I wasn’t meant to follow a traditional role and pursue marriage.”
“Plans can change, dear. But since that’s apparently not the case with you right now, I’m at a loss as to why you took up a paid position here in Newport, unless...” Catriona returned her attention to the wallpaper, then sucked in a sharp breath before she narrowed her eyes on Gwendolyn. “You didn’t do so because you wanted some time away fromme, did you?”
It was difficult to know how best to answer. To buy some time while she composed a gentle response, Gwendolyn rose to her feet and wandered over to windows that lent a delightful view of the ocean. She turned a second later and blew out a breath. “I suppose what I should say first is this. We’ve been constant companions for years, and I wouldn’t trade a moment of the time I’ve spent with you.”
It was hardly an encouraging sign when Catriona’s mouth dropped open as fire flashed in her eyes. “You sound exactly like one of my old suitors who decided I was far too dramatic. He wanted to part ways with me but did so in a manner I’m sure he was hoping wouldn’t have me descending into theatrics.”
“I’ve spent years with you. Your theatrics don’t terrify me. But, with that said, you’re not entirely wrong because, even though, being cousins as well as best friends, we’ll always be close, you must realize we’re not meant to travel together forever.”
“I don’t know why not. We have great fun on our adventures.”
“True, but we only embarked on a world tour because you needed to heal from the loss of your Barnabas. I believe we managed to accomplish that to a certain degree, but you’re not completely healed, nor will you reach that state until you discover what your next purpose in life is meant to be. You won’t discover that if you continue searching out your next frivolity, and you know it.”
“But why do I need to find my purpose without you by my side?”
Gwendolyn smiled. “Because I need to find my next purpose as well. I’m twenty-five, and it’s time for me to move on to a new phase in my life—although what that phase is, I have no idea just yet. I was hoping to spend the summer pondering exactly that, but clearly, I don’t have the time for any contemplation right now.”
“You would have had all the time in the world if you’d simply told me you needed some distance from me,” Catriona pointed out. “That would have allowed you to enjoy your summer at your leisure because you wouldn’t have been holding down a position.”
“I wanted to spare your feelings.”
A hint of a grin flickered across Catriona’s face. “I appreciatethat, but now that my feelings are dreadfully hurt, I’m not certain where we take this conversation from here.”
Gwendolyn returned the grin. “Your feelings never stay injured for long, but as for where we take matters from here—you need to return to the Berkshires, and I need to hie myself off to the Newport Casino because I have a tennis match to attend.”
She wasn’t exactly surprised when Catriona’s jaw set and she shook her head. “I’m not leaving Newport. I told you, I’m determined to help you with the matchmaking business.”
“No.”
Catriona abandoned the settee, took a few turns around the room, and then smiled a smile that did not bode well for Gwendolyn. “Fine, since you seem adamant about refusing my help, I’ll simply appeal to Mrs. Parker. You told me she has a love of jewelry. As luck would have it, I brought that gorgeous diamond choker we found in Italy. And while it may pain me to part with such a lovely piece, it’ll be worth it in the end, especially when I’m certain Mrs. Parker won’t hesitate to take it off my hands and give me exactly what I want in exchange for it.”
Twenty-Four
If there was one thing Gwendolyn knew quite well, it was how difficult Catriona could become once she turned determined, as well as knew it was next to impossible to get her cousin to change her mind once it was made up.
Before she could get a single argument out of her mouth though, a knock sounded on the parlor door.
Ann, one of Catriona’s maids, poked her head into the room, her gaze settling on Gwendolyn. “The Townsend children are here to see you, Miss Brinley. They arrived by pony cart and don’t seem to have an adult in attendance.”
“Of course they don’t,” Gwendolyn said, heading for the door and then down the hallway, the heels of her shoes clicking over the highly polished marble floor. Reaching the front entranceway, her lips couldn’t help but curve at the sight of Oscar, Samuel, and Priscilla grinning back at her.
“Surprise!” Priscilla shouted before she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Gwendolyn’s skirt. “We brought you a present.”
“I’m hoping that present is an adult lurking somewhere out of sight,” she said, earning a snort from Oscar.
“Please,” he began. “Father wasn’t about to let me drive Bert and the twins over here without adult supervision. But he did agree to leave some space between us after I told him no nine-year-old boy wants to chance having his friends see his father treating him like a baby.”
“Perfectly understandable,” Gwendolyn agreed right as Catriona strolled into view, her appearance causing Priscilla’s mouth to drop open.
“Is she a princess?” Priscilla whispered in a voice loud enough for Catriona to hear.
