Gwendolyn shook out a skirt a maid had clearly shoved into the trunk with little regard for the silk fabric. “Mrs. Parker’s performance was undoubtedly stage worthy, but I understandwhy she made such a scene, telling me in a very loud voice that I’d fooled her into believing my intentions toward Walter were honorable, when they were nothing of the sort. She’s merely attempting to salvage her reputation—something, if you didn’t catch it last night, she accused me of trying to destroy, right before she informed me my services would no longer be needed, effective immediately.”
“There certainly was no need for her to insist her footman escort us to my carriage after she fired you, as if we were members of the criminal persuasion.”
Gwendolyn abandoned the trunk and went to sit beside her cousin on a settee done up in a pale shade of blue. “At least her firing me got us rapidly removed from Sea Haven. Seeing the abject horror on Walter’s face after Priscilla’s announcement, I certainly didn’t care to linger there.”
“Perhaps you were mistaken about the look.”
“I wasn’t. He was clearly shocked and probably a little embarrassed. However, because it’s Walter, I was convinced he’d feel obligated to seek me out to discuss the matter. But since I didn’t want to endure what would have been a mortifying exchange—one where he’d most assuredly apologize for yet another misunderstanding between us—during my firing, I made a point of telling Mrs. Parker I’d had quite enough of high society and would be thrilled if I never spoke to another member of the Four Hundred again, including Walter.”
Catriona frowned. “That certainly explains why Walter didn’t show up here last night or this morning.”
“I’m confident Mrs. Parker didn’t hesitate to tell him what I said, so that’s that, and now we simply need to finish packing and catch the ferry back to the city. If you don’t mind, though, I’d like to stop by Sea Haven. Not to see Walter, of course, but to say a proper good-bye to the children. They deserve an opportunity to hear my explanation regarding why I can’t be their mother. I only hope Walter isn’t there, but if he is, I’ll bidhim a pleasant adieu, and that will be the last time I’ll ever have to see him.”
Catriona tilted her head. “What would you have done if you’d not seen horror on Walter’s face but another emotion instead, such as delight, or perhaps anticipation, as if he’d been thinking along the same lines as his children?”
“That’s a moot point because he didn’t look delighted—he looked as if he was hoping a large hole would materialize in front of him so he could disappear from sight.”
“I doubt that’s true,” Catriona said before she blew out a breath. “I suppose this is where I need to admit you were right about my matchmaking abilities, since I thoughtyouwould be Walter’s perfect match and actually tried to finagle that match behind your back by telling Walter all sorts of lovely stories about you.”
Gwendolyn’s lips twitched. “I was wondering why you kept telling him so much about me, but yes, you should abandon any future urges to dabble in matchmaking, as shall I. Frankly, I’m more than ready to put this chapter of my life behind me.”
“Our next chapter should include Scotland,” Catriona suggested. “I’ve always wanted to have a pint in a pub and look at gentlemen in kilts.”
Gwendolyn took hold of Catriona’s hand. “We’re not going to Scotland. We’ve already discussed this. Our days of traveling the world have come to an end. It’s past time you stop running and take the rest of the summer to contemplate whatyou’dreally like to do with your life. And even though my days as an assistant matchmaker are over, I’m going to give one last piece of matchmaker advice. I think you should consider marrying again. You’re still young, and ... I haven’t neglected to notice you seem to appreciate Frank Lambert’s company.”
To Gwendolyn’s surprise, temper flashed through Catriona’s eyes. “While I won’t deny I may have, every so often, found myself enjoying Frank’s company, that’s no longer the case.”
“Why not?”
“Because he—just before I was about to go out to sing, and before the children made an announcement that disbanded the ball—had the audacity to ask me if I would speak on his behalf to a few of the ladies in attendance last night. He thought they would find him more attractive, even with his being new money, if a worldly woman like myself mentioned, in a way that seemed natural to the conversation, how compelling I found him.”
“He didn’t.”
“He did,” Catriona said. “Needless to say, I gave him a piece of my mind, although I never got to finish telling him everything I wanted to say because... well, you know, the disaster occurred.” She sighed. “If you ask me, gentlemen can sometimes be more trouble than they’re worth.”
“You always told me Barnabas was trouble, but you adored him.”
“I think he was the exception.”
“Perhaps he was at that,” Gwendolyn admitted before she gave Catriona’s arm a rub. “But it’s not doing either of us any good bemoaning our sad state right now, because we’re beginning to turn rather morose.”
Catriona caught Gwendolyn’s eye. “I have a feeling your morose state isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. I know you were beginning to develop feelings for Walter, and ones of the affectionate sort.”
Gwendolyn released a sigh. “You noticed that?”
“We’ve spent years together, darling. Of course I noticed, and I’ve also developed a theory regarding the true reason behind your decision to abandon our travels.”
“A theory?”
“Indeed, and I hope you won’t be annoyed by this, but I’m beginning to believe the unconventional life you’ve always claimed you want to embrace, isn’t the life you’re meant to live after all.”
“What do you mean?”
Catriona smiled. “You’re a woman who is most content when you’re around children. Yes, you do possess a bit of wanderlust, and yes, you enjoyed our travels to a certain extent. But even though being an independent woman is something you’ve always placed great stock in, I believe your true role in life is a conventional one—that being a wife and mother.”
“That’s about as traditional as a woman can get.”
Catriona gave Gwendolyn’s hand a pat. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. Your mother, even though she was quite like you in her younger days and wanted to pursue a less traditional feminine role, realized after meeting your father that what she truly longed for in life was a husband and children. I think you’re exactly like her and will only find true contentment after you discover the man of your dreams and settle down to have your own family with him. That’s why I can’t help but wonder what you would have done, or what you’d do, if Walter came to his senses and realized you’re the match for him.”
