Page 104 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

He had never given her a say in anything he’d done. Even now, he was talking about traveling and not really considering that she might not wish to go. Nor had he asked her where in the world she would like most to go. He’d just made general pronouncements about visiting some popular locations.

Was this not the simplest thing to ask her? What would it have taken him to think about her preferences? What would you like to do, Gwen? Where would you like to go? He had yet to say the words.

Would he ever consider her wishes, hopes, and dreams as James would? Would she ever trust Andrew as much as she trusted James?

And she did trust James, despite the fact he had not told her about Cordelia until now. But even in their conversation, his valor and integrity shone through. He was taking care of his sister and ensuring her comfort. He was visiting her regularly instead of abandoning her to the care of others.

It would have been so easy to deposit her somewhere and forget all about her. But this was not his nature. He protected and cared for his family and others he loved.

Andrew always put himself first. Perhaps he might change if ever he met the right young lady, one who truly stole his heart. One who left him breathless and whom he could not live a moment without.

She was not that lady for Andrew.

But she was for James.

She felt his love.

Was this not the most wonderful thing in the world?

Why was she so foolishly kicking her chances away?

More important, it was James who left her breathless and aching to be with him. It was James she wanted touching her and holding her. Not Andrew.

Oh, he was a good man. But not her man.

Yet she wanted him to be happy and find love.

An idea popped into her head and made her smile.

Oh, everyone would now consider her completely mad.

But why could Andrew not find his happiness with Lady Millicent Hanford, also known as Miss Pointy Nose? She would be perfect for him. After all, she spoke three languages fluently, had expressed a desire to travel, and James’s ridiculous complaint that her nose was too sharp and would get in the way of his kisses wasn’t true. Millicent had a lovely nose that was no pointier or longer than her own.

She breathed a sigh of relief and cast Andrew a brilliant smile. “You do not love me.”

He shook his head. “What?”

“In your heart, you know it is true.”

He seemed genuinely distressed, but this was only because he had been thinking of her as his betrothed for all these years, and it was no easy thing to admit that mistake and move on. “Gwen, no.”

“A man in love does not stay away from his beloved for as long as you have done. By your own choice, I may add.” She put a hand up to stop him when he began to protest. “No, Andrew. Do not insist we are right for each other simply because this is what we both believed for so many years, even as children. Believe me, I held on to the past more fiercely than anyone else could ever have done. Then James came along and shook me out of my complacency. It is time for both of us to move forward and seek our true happiness.”

He let out a startled grunt. “You love Milbury?”

She nodded. “Yes, I do. I just hope I haven’t ruined my chances by fighting this marvelous feeling every step of the way.”

“Marvelous feeling?”

“Yes, and it is an odd feeling as well. Oh my. So odd, but also so beautiful. Happiness. Love. Rapture. My heart flutters whenever I see him. I cannot help but smile when I am with him. Even if I did not have these feelings for him, there is no going back to you.”

“Gwen! Do not be ridiculous. I would marry you.”

“And we would both be dissatisfied for the rest of our lives. Do you really wish to go through life in dull complacency? Do you want amiable? Or would you rather feel breathless? Intoxicated? Is genial enough? Why settle for that when you could experience a mad rush of desire, the knowing you would leap through fire to protect the woman you love?”

He shook his head. “And you think Milbury offers you this?”

She nodded. “Yes, this and more. And I want all of it with him.”