Thirty-Six
It was immediately evident to Walter that he might have made a rather large faux pas with his opening remark, because Gwendolyn’s eyes were now spewing sparks his way. Before he could make amends though, Cordelia began stalking his way.
“You’renotserious, are you, Mr. Townsend?” Cordelia demanded, stopping a foot away from him. “Youcannotbelieve this woman would make an excellent mother for those adorable children of yours, not when you saw how competent I was with them.”
It took a colossal effort to refuse the urge he felt to flee, because the hostile looks he was receiving—not only from Cordelia and Gwendolyn, but also from Adelaide and Phyllis Duveen—were enough to make any man claim a just-remembered appointment and rush out of the room, begging everyone’s pardon as he bolted.
He permitted himself the luxury of a sigh instead as he caught Cordelia’s eye. “Forgive me, Miss Lowe, because I have enjoyed the time we’ve spent in each other’s company this Season. With that said, it may be best if we’re perfectly honest with each other. While I find you to be a pleasant—”
Cordelia held up her hand, cutting him off as her eyes turned icy. “Do not speak another word to me, Mr. Townsend, especially if you’re going to use additional words likepleasant. Clearly, I’ve been mistaken about you, and it’s now evident we won’t suit at all.” She dipped into a curtsy. “To be clear, I didn’t find your company pleasant in the least.”
Lifting her chin, she spun on her heel and stalked for the doorway, disappearing through it a second later, leaving Walter alone with three ladies who immediately settled their attention on him.
“I told you the wordpleasantwas rarely well received,” Gwendolyn said before she narrowed her eyes on him. “But pleasantness aside, care to explain what you’re doing here.”
He gave a tug on a tie that was beginning to feel as if it were strangling him. “I came to speak with you about what happened last night.”
“Oh? You mean the humiliating circumstance of my being left to fend for myself after the children, being children, thought they’d found the perfect solution to your quest of a mother for them, and announced to one and all that I was that solution? Or perhaps,” Gwendolyn continued before he could respond, “you want to explain your reaction to Oscar’s announcement, which was to stand in front of the orchestra and gape at me with an expression of what can only be described as horror on your face.”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken about that.”
Gwendolyn crossed her arms over her chest. “I assure you, I’m not. I was there, watching you, and then, the icing on the cake, after the ballroom erupted with accusations about my character, was that you didn’t bother to come to my defense.”
Walter took a step toward her, stopping when she settled an ice-filled glare on him. “You must not have seen this, but I was just about to come to your aid when you turned and strode out of the room. I was then waylaid by one irate lady after another,all of whom I’m sure I offended when I cut short their attempted conversations with me. By the time I made it out of Sea Haven, you were gone. Mrs. Parker then informed me you’d told her you wanted nothing to do with members of society, including me. I felt compelled to honor that request, at least until you had an opportunity to get your temper under control.”
Given the temper already in her eyes began burning hotter than ever, it was a foregone conclusion he’d been clumsy with his words yet again, because what lady enjoyed being told she needed to, in essence, rein in her temper?
He raked a hand through his hair. “That came out wrong.”
“Too right it did. And since I’m not in the proper frame of mind to humor any additional missteps on your part, this is where I’ll bid you good-bye.”
“I’m not going to leave, because there’s much that remains unsettled between us. As I said when I first arrived, although I realize I approached the matter poorly, the children were not off the mark last night. You would, indeed, make a most exceptional mother.”
“Of course I would. But speaking of the children...” Her face softened ever so slightly. “How are they?”
“They were better this morning, but they were obviously upset last night, as well as bewildered by the reaction of the guests. They were expecting rousing applause and you agreeing that yes, you’d love to become their mother. Instead, they got an unexpected lesson in disappointment.”
Gwendolyn blew out a breath. “I’ll stop by Sea Haven before I depart Newport later today. I’m not certain what I’ll say to them, but tell me what you said and I’ll pattern my conversation accordingly.”
“We didn’t discuss much except that all of us agree you’re the best, as well as only, choice to become their mother. I then assured the children I would try to make amends with you for what happened last night. That seemed to calm them, butPriscilla insisted I stay with them in the nursery last night, and it was incredibly late before they fell asleep. They were then up at the crack of dawn, wanting to come see you, but I told them it would be best to let me speak with you first.”
“Dawn was a few hours ago.”
“I didn’t think it would put me in your good graces if I showed up on your doorstep too early, which is why I ate breakfast with the children first. After they went off with their governesses, I was treated to a long and scathing lecture from my mother. She was so irate she had horses saddled for us, insisting we ride far away from Sea Haven so the children wouldn’t hear her shouting. She rode for forty minutes before she finally reined to a stop, then launched into a blistering tirade that centered around what an idiot I am.”
Gwendolyn’s lips curved. “I would have enjoyed hearing that.”
“I’m sure you would have, because Mother is beside herself over what happened last night. She’s furious with me for handling the matter, in her words, poorly. She told me in no uncertain terms that my idea to allow you time to regain your temper was foolishness at its best. Given that you were less than delighted to see me upon my arrival here, I believe she was right. I should have braved your temper last night whether you wanted to see me or not.”
He raked a hand through his hair again. “I would have been here earlier, but after Mother finished yelling at me, I made the mistake of thinking you’d still be at Mrs. Parker’s residence, packing your belongings. It took me a good thirty minutes to get to her house after Mother and I parted ways.”
A bit of a snort was Gwendolyn’s first response to that. “If you believe I’m going to feel sorry for you because of your detour, you’re sadly mistaken, especially when it wasn’t a best-laid plan for you to go to Mrs. Parker’s in the first place. It’s not a usual occurrence, after a member of a lady’s staff gets terminated,for them to return to their employer’s home and linger about overnight, packing their belongings in a leisurely fashion.”
Walter winced. “Mrs. Parker explained, when I arrived at her house an hour ago, that she informed you last night you were no longer welcome in her cottage, and that she’d sent over your belongings this morning.”
Gwendolyn smiled a less than pleasant smile. “Had a footman dump my trunks on the front porch before the sun was up.” She shook her head. “She must have been very irate, because she sent back the diamond choker Catriona gave to her, claiming she wanted no reminders of me lingering about.”
She lifted her chin. “But returning to you, if you’re here to convince me I should entertain the idea of becoming a mother to your children, you’re wasting your time. There’s nothing left for us to discuss.” She nodded toward the door. “I’m sure you won’t mind seeing yourself out.”
