“Hardly helpful,” Walter muttered as Gideon grinned and strode from the room.
Several minutes later, realizing he might be lingering in the drawing room because he truly didn’t know how to proceed with a tricky situation—one that went by the name of Gwendolyn—Walter forced himself off the chaise and made his way to the nursery. He stopped just outside the door as his gaze settled on Gwendolyn, who was sitting on Priscilla’s bed, his daughter tucked closely against her while Samuel sat at the foot of the bed, Rat asleep on his lap.
Ethel and Matilda were sitting in chairs pulled up next to the bed, both women watching their grandchildren, who were watching Gwendolyn as she read them a story.
He found himself unable to move as he continued watching her, appreciating the way she told a story, but mostly just appreciating her.
She truly was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, even though her hair was straggling from its pins, there was a streak of dirt running across her cheek, and her gown sported more than a few grass stains—probably from the grass she’d been hiding in during the kidnapping disaster.
“And there we have it, a happily ever after,” Gwendolyn finally said, kissing the top of Priscilla’s head as she closed the book. “And with that happy ending, it’s time for you and Samuel to go to bed.”
Priscilla tipped back her head. “Will you be here when we wake up?”
For the briefest of seconds, Gwendolyn’s eyes clouded and turned suspiciously bright, but then she smiled, although it seemed somewhat strained. “I’m afraid I won’t be here, darling. I need to go home.”
“You’re not going to stay and be our mother?” Priscilla pressed.
Gwendolyn blew out a breath as Ethel and Matilda sat forwardin their chairs, their gazes locked on Gwendolyn. “I’m afraid not.”
Priscilla’s lips began to tremble. “Because we’re too naughty?”
“Of course not,” Gwendolyn said, cupping Priscilla’s chin with her hand. “You and your brothers are perfect just the way you are. It has nothing to do with you.”
“You don’t like Papa?” Samuel asked.
“That’s not it either,” Gwendolyn said, smiling ever so slightly. “Your father is a, ah, very nice gentleman.”
Priscilla wrinkled her nose. “Then why don’t you want to marry him?”
Gwendolyn shot a look to Ethel. “You could help me out here.”
“I have no idea how I’d go about that, since I believe you and Walter would suit each other admirably,” Ethel said.
“That’s hardly helpful,” Gwendolyn muttered, turning her attention to Matilda, who released a sigh.
“I’m sorry, dear, but I’m in agreement with Ethel. You are exactly what Walter needs, and exactly what Ethel and I need as well.”
Gwendolyn frowned. “Because?”
“You would never deprive us of time with the children,” Matilda said, exchanging a glance with Ethel. “We’ve discussed the matter at length, and one of my reservations about this Season was that Walter might marry a woman who didn’t want me, the mother of his late wife, involved in their lives. I know that wouldn’t happen with you, which is one of the reasons I want to encourage you to at least consider Walter’s proposal.”
“He never proposed to me.”
Ethel exchanged a look with Matilda. “I had a feeling he might have gone about that poorly.”
“Poorly doesn’t begin to describe it,” Gwendolyn said, before she returned her attention to the twins, who were looking as if they were on the verge of tears. “I don’t want either of you tobe sad about my not becoming your mother. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you or that I’m not going to visit you. In fact, I’m going to encourage you to think of me as your Aunt Gwendolyn. You may address any letters you care to send to me at my parents’ house—where I’m going to stay for a while—to Aunt Gwendolyn Brinley.”
“We’d rather address any letters to Mother,” Priscilla whispered.
Gwendolyn rubbed a hand over her face. “I’m clearly not explaining this well, darling, but your father and I do not share a... well, special love between us.”
“But you said you thought he was nice,” Samuel pointed out.
“True, but what the two of you need to understand—and need to remember well into your adult years—is that, when a person is contemplating marriage, love is the most important aspect to consider. Yes, finding someone nice is to be considered as well, but if you’re going to spend every day for the rest of your life with someone, I’m of the firm belief mutual love should be involved.”
“You don’t love Papa?” Priscilla asked.
“That’s a question I’m not sure how to answer” was all Gwendolyn said to that, which left Walter feeling all sorts of bewildered.
