August wasn’t a drain on Gwendolyn’s time, because he was completely smitten with Miss Hannah Howe, and from what Walter had observed, she was just as smitten with him.
That successful match was exactly why more gentlemen were clamoring to get Mrs. Parker’s agreement to sponsor them, and why Gwendolyn now found herself in high demand, the risk of her grandmother threatening to give her the cut direct apparently a distant memory, especially since Opal Brinley had quietly departed Newport mere hours after her confrontation with her granddaughter.
“We weren’t expecting you to return until five, Mr. Townsend,” Benson, his butler, said as Walter walked through the front door of Sea Haven. “Were you not enjoying the company of ... Was it Miss Suzette Tilden today, or was your early return due to the storm clouds gathering offshore?”
“Miss Tilden was pleasant enough company,” Walter said, handing Benson his hat. “But I overheard Samuel discussing plans to build Rat a new home, and I wasn’t willing to forgo assisting him merely to drive down Bellevue Avenue and greet people I’m beginning to see far too often.”
“Honestly, Walter,” Gwendolyn said, drawing his attention as she glided down the curved staircase, pausing on the last step to settle a frown on him. “Did you not think to invite Suzette to Sea Haven to help with Rat’s new home?”
He felt his lips begin to curve, which was rather curious considering she was clearly put out with him. “Of course I asked her, but Suzette declined, mentioning something about needing to return to her cottage early because of the Chandler dinner party tonight.”
“Hmmm...” was all Gwendolyn said to that, stepping from the staircase and moving his way, her frown turning into a scowl when she stopped in front of him. “But did I hear you tell Benson you had apleasantdrive with Suzette?”
“Are you going to launch into another lecture about the wordpleasantif I admit that’s exactly how I felt about my afternoon drive?”
“Pleasantis a word one should reserve for when a person enjoys tea with their elderly aunt,” Gwendolyn returned. “It is not a term I want to hear time and again when you return from outings I’ve scheduled for you.”
“Pleasant isnota bad word.”
“It is when you’re talking about a potential match. With that said, I believe it’s time to take Suzette off your list once and for all.”
“Because I merely had a pleasant afternoon with her?”
“No, because you mentioned the children are involved with a project and she didn’t leap at the opportunity to help.” She blew out a breath. “Dare I hope your morning at Bailey’s Beach was more exciting than your drive with Suzette? You met up with ... I’m afraid I’ve forgotten.”
“I was supposed to meet up with Miss Bowen, a lady I’ve not spoken with much, but she apparently came down with a cold and sent one of her footmen to tell me she wouldn’t be there. That allowed me to spend a very enjoyable morning with my mother and Catriona—an odd couple if there ever was one, but they seem to enjoy each other’s company. They were very gracious about letting me join them, even sharing the shade from their umbrella.”
To his surprise, Gwendolyn rolled her eyes. “May I assume Catriona spent her time questioning you about a variety of ladies?”
“Not at all. She didn’t ask me a single question, although she did impart a variety of opinions she’s formed about ladies she’s spoken with. She doesn’t believe Tillie Wickham would suit me at all because she’s convinced that lady would take a militant approach to keeping the children physically active, and she is wary about Suzette because she believes that lady may be flighty.” Walter rubbed his chin. “Truth be told, I’m not sure why your cousin was telling me all those tidbits.”
“She’s in cahoots with Mrs. Parker, and even though they haven’t made it official, I believe Catriona now considers herself my assistant, that title bestowed on her by Mrs. Parker after my cousin gave my employer an exquisite diamond choker.”
“Catriona’s your assistant?”
“Evidently, and consider yourself forewarned—she’s determined to have a hand in helping you, and no other gentleman, find the perfect match this Season.”
Walter blinked. “Why does she want to do that?”
“It’s Catriona. Who knows what goes through that complicated mind of hers? Nevertheless, I believe she decided you’re a lovely gentleman who deserves a perfect match, hence her insistence on aiding me, no matter that I told her I didn’t want her assistance.”
Walter tilted his head. “While it’s nice to hear your cousin believes I’m a lovely gentleman, I’m not certain you’re right about her only having me in her sights to match up this Season. We encountered Frank Lambert as we were leaving Bailey’s Beach, and when we learned he’d been turned away from entering the beach because he wasn’t with a member, your cousin didn’t hesitate to jump down from my mother’s buggy and settle herself on the seat of Frank’s impressive phaeton.
“She then informed Frank, who was looking quite starstruck, that Bailey’s Beach was overrated and she was going to accompany him to the public Easton Beach instead. She then told my mother not to fret because she was a thirty-year-old widow and was certainly capable of spending an afternoon with a respectable gentleman without needing a chaperone.”
Walter smiled. “Obviously not one to reject a fortuitous circumstance that had literally almost landed in his lap, Frank gave a slap of the reins, and off they went before my mother could insist on accompanying them.”
“Catriona often travels out and about without a chaperone. But here’s hoping Frank can keep Catriona out of trouble, although spending an afternoon at a public beach shouldn’t be fraught with too many troublesome situations.” Gwendolyn released a sigh. “Enough about my cousin though. We need to return to your troubling situation. Truth be told, I’m at my wit’s end with you. We’re running out of ladies for you to spend time with.”
“You do recall I’ve found a good handful of my recent companions to be pleasant company, don’t you?”
“And I keep telling you that isn’t good enough.”
Walter’s brow furrowed. “Perhaps I’m just not capable of feeling anything other than pleasant toward a person.”
“I don’t believe that’s true” was all she said to that before she turned on her heel and headed for the steps.
Striding after her, he caught up with her on the second-floor landing. “What did you mean by that?”
