Page 103 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

Gwendolyn needed commitment and love. She had her own wealth and did not need to marry a title, whether becoming his marchioness or Clement’s viscountess. Nor did she deserve a husband who would always think of her second rather than first in his heart. And she certainly did not need a husband who would take off for parts unknown within a month after their marriage.

James did not know Clement well at all, but even he could see that the man was a restless soul. This was not a fault in itself, but surely it was a trait that made those two incompatible. Gwendolyn loved home and family while Clement wanted adventure and travel.

Where would that leave her if she chose not to go with him?

She was capable of living a full and active life on her own, of course. But would Clement’s family allow her to retain her independence? Would they allow her to see her friends and pursue her social engagements? Clement’s father, the Earl of Hornsby, was still alive. That old man would do his best to keep Gwendolyn under his cold and controlling grip.

James shuddered, for this was never something he would want for Gwendolyn. The earl had shown her no mercy when she had turned to him in desperation years ago for answers about his son. Nor had any of Clement’s siblings said or done anything to support her or ask after her in all the passing years. She would be just as isolated in marriage as she had been in all the years of their betrothal.

Worse, her wealth and independence would be out of her control.

But how could he tell her this? She would accuse him of being jealous and trying to undermine her happiness.

Ache filled his body as he watched her walk out.

He sank into a chair and buried his face in his hands.

“Gwen,” he whispered in agony. “I love you.”

Chapter Twenty

Gwendolyn spotted Andrew on the terrace, his hands on the balustrade as he stared out across the cove waters that glistened in the afternoon sun.

“Andrew,” she said, coming to his side.

He turned to her with a smug expression that irked her. “He told you all about his batty sister?”

She bristled. “Yes. You needn’t gloat, for your family is no prize, either.”

“I never said they were. In fact, you know how difficult relations have always been between me and my father. Yet I defied him because of my love for you.”

“Was it for love? Or was I merely a useful means for you to get back at your father? But now that you have your own title, your own wealth, and can stand independently, what is it you really want? I’m not sure it is me.”

He regarded her for a long moment, appearing genuinely surprised. “It has always been you.”

Gwendolyn felt at a loss. “Is this true? Ten years is an awfully long time to stay away from someone you consider the mate of your heart. Well, I understand that you had no choice during the war years. But these past six years? Think hard about this, Andrew. You have not even seen your Winterbrook estate and you already wish to leave it.”

“I’ve told you that I am no farmer. All I need is a good estate manager to run the place, and then we shall be free to do whatever we want.”

“Yes, and travel wherever in the world we wish to go.”

He nodded. “Exactly.”

“What if I did not want to travel outside of England?”

He shook his head and laughed. “You’re joking. I cannot believe you would rather spend your time at Winterbrook, on some estate in the middle of nowhere, when you could be visiting Rome, Florence, Athens, seeing the wonders of the world. C’mon, Gwen. You must prefer travel to that mundane life.”

She cast him an indulgent smile. “I might, one day.”

But not with him.

She did not have to make up lists to compare Andrew and James, or even make up a list about James alone. The truth was obvious and had been all along.

Even her heart understood this from the first, only she had been too stubborn to listen.

She and Andrew were not compatible. Were they ever a match?

He did not wish to remain in England a moment longer than necessary, while she could not see herself settling anywhere else. Oh, she would enjoy traveling throughout the Continent at some point in her life, perhaps soon. But she would never want to do it with Andrew.