“You didn’t have to.” Gwendolyn shook her head. “How sad to discover your pride, as well as your belief in social superiority, is so powerful you’ve failed to realize what’s most important in life—family, love, and acceptance of the choices those we hold dear make.”
“She was only a seamstress—not an appropriate choice for my son.”
Gwendolyn threw up her hands. “Clearly, there is no reasoning with you. You’re determined to hold on to your bitterness, so this is where we say adieu.”
She turned to Mrs. Higgenson, who’d not spoken a word but had been scowling at Gwendolyn throughout the entire exchange. “We’ve never been formally introduced, but I’m Miss Brinley. With that said, I must beg your pardon for what is surely going to be a breach in etiquette, but I want you to understand something that could impact your family forever. If you continue to hold fast to your disapproval over your son, Clarence, choosing to pursue the love of his life, you’ll end up exactly like my grandmother—a woman filled with bitterness, as well as a woman who lost her opportunity to share the joy of having her son and his children in her life.”
As Mrs. Higgenson’s mouth went slack, Gwendolyn turned to Walter. “Would you happen to have anything I can write on?”
As Walter began digging through his pockets, Ethel, who’d been unusually quiet up until that point, stepped to Gwendolyn’s side. “I have one of my calling cards you may use, dear.”
Ethel handed Gwendolyn one of her cards along with a small pencil before she turned her attention to Opal. “How delightful to see you again, Opal. It’s been years, but I simply had to join the conversation because you should know I absolutely adore your delightful granddaughter. She does not deserve your disdain because, contrary to your belief, her intelligence, compassion,no-nonsense attitude, and the way she champions those considered vulnerable bring honor to the Brinley name.”
Opal blinked. “I highly doubt you’d find a matchmaker an asset to your family name, Ethel.”
“Gwendolyn, whether she’s a matchmaker or not, would certainly be an asset to the Townsend name, for too many reasons to count.” Ethel caught Opal’s eye. “But you don’t need to take my word on that. I’m hosting a ball this Season, and I’d be delighted to extend you an invitation. Gwendolyn, of course, will be in attendance, and perhaps you could use the ball to become better acquainted. Since I’ve also prevailed on Gwendolyn’s cousin, the renowned opera singer Catriona Zimmerman, formerly Catriona Sullivan, to come out of retirement and perform at my ball, you’ll also be given an opportunity to learn more about Gwendolyn’s Sullivan side of the family.”
When Opal Brinley took to considering his mother as if she might have taken leave of her senses, Walter chanced a glance to Catriona, who was standing to the right of him. His lips twitched when he took note of the look of astonishment on Catriona’s face, something that suggested her singing at the Townsend ball was news to her. Before he could assure her she was under no obligation to come out of retirement, Gwendolyn stopped writing on Ethel’s calling card and handed the card to her grandmother.
“This is my parents’ direction. If you ever realize what you’re missing in life—that being your son, along with his family, I suggest you look them up. I assure you, even though you insulted my mother by refusing to accept her, she will welcome you into our family with open arms.” Gwendolyn dipped into a curtsy, causing Opal’s eyes to widen ever so slightly. “Perhaps we’ll meet again sometime, Grandmother.”
For a second Opal merely gazed at her granddaughter. Then she surprised Walter when she inclined her head. “Perhaps we will.”
With that, Opal turned on her heel and strode away, Mrs. Higgenson by her side. Before they disappeared around a corner, Walter saw Opal look over her shoulder, a telling gesture, but one Gwendolyn missed because Oscar, Priscilla, and Samuel had run up to join them.
“I kept good care of your racquet, Miss Brinley, but I don’t think you would have resorted to using it on your grandmother,” Oscar said. “You didn’t seem to lose your temper with her much at all.” He suddenly extended his arm to her. “I think you should now let me treat you to an ice cream instead of the other way around, and I’d be honored if you’d let me escort you back to your wagonette.”
For the briefest of seconds, Walter found himself staring at his son, wondering how Oscar could sound so much older than his nine years, as well as realizing that, somewhere along the way, and through no guidance from Walter, his son was well on his way to becoming a true gentleman.
That realization had a stab of regret shooting through Walter’s heart, but before he could dwell on the matter, Gwendolyn dipped into another curtsy before she took Oscar’s arm.
“I would be delighted to have you escort me to my wagonette. And, since you’re being so chivalrous, perhaps you’d like a go at taking over the reins for me while we seek out some ice cream?”
Oscar grinned as they turned to leave. “I’d like that very much indeed.”
Walter’s heart gave an odd lurch a second later when Samuel offered his arm to Catriona, who immediately bent to take it, grinning as Samuel, with his face now bright red, hurried after his brother.
“I must say this Season is turning far more interesting than I was expecting,” Ethel said, her gaze settled on her grandsons’ retreating backs. “I must also note that I’ve never known a lady to make an impression on society as quickly as Gwendolyn’s done.” Ethel shook her head. “I find her somewhat intimidating,but truth be told, she’s one of the most exceptional ladies I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. It’s not just anyone who can take on a society matron like Opal Brinley, live to tell the tale,andwin the skirmish in the end, something Gwendolyn most assuredly achieved.”
“I think Miss Brinley is wonderful,” Priscilla said before she held up her arms and grinned when Walter immediately picked her up.
As they strode after everyone, Walter found he couldn’t disagree with Priscilla’s assessment, nor could he disagree with his mother’s belief that Gwendolyn was an exceptional lady, especially when that was exactly what he’d begun to surmise about her as well.
Twenty-Eight
During the week and a half since Gwendolyn’s confrontation with her grandmother—something she’d not discussed except to say it had been long overdue—Walter had found himself attending so many society events they’d become a blur. The sheer number lent credence to the notion Gwendolyn hadn’t been jesting when she’d told him she was committed to finding him a perfect match.
Unfortunately, even though he barely had time to breathe these days, he’d yet to enjoy anything other than amiable encounters with any of the ladies he spent time with, a situation Gwendolyn claimed was beyond frustrating. Her frustration had then led to her coming up with a new plan—one where she now insisted he dance more than three dances at every ball he attended. She’d also told him, in a tone that brokered no argument, he was going to accompany ladies to Bailey’s Beach every day, escort a variety of ladies out and about on afternoon drives, and then join different ladies for dinner during evening events. To top it off, she’d demanded he do all that while maintaining an agreeable attitude.
It had taken a herculean effort to resist telling her that herdemands were not leaving him feeling affable in the least, especially when his ridiculously busy schedule left little time to spend with Gwendolyn, except for the hour every day she set aside for them to discuss his agenda.
He found himself looking forward to that hour more than any of the events she arranged for him.
The only time he’d spent with her when they weren’t discussing his itinerary was when she’d attended church with him and the children the previous Sunday. To his satisfaction, she’d not invited anyone to join them except Catriona, who’d drawn her fair share of attention when she’d sauntered into Trinity Church looking resplendent in a gown she’d picked up in Paris.
Oddly enough, after his mother had made a point of inviting Catriona to her ball, instead of finding herself ostracized, as so many people did when they attempted to breach the walls of Newport high society, Catriona was now receiving invitations to other society events.
Ethel had mentioned that Gwendolyn appreciated her assistance in making certain Catriona was included in society events because Gwendolyn didn’t have a spare moment to devote to entertaining her cousin. Frankly, she barely had a moment to sleep, what with how Mrs. Parker had agreed to sponsor Mr. Russell Damrosch, Mr. Thurman Chandler, and of course, Mr. August Ryerson.
