Page 29 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

How could any of the ladies introduced to him over these past few months win his heart when he had already dismissed them? He did not want those ladies.

But he’d kissed her as though he desired her.

Oh, that kiss.

Well, rakes knew how to make a lady feel special and wanted. And by his own admission, Milbury had been a rake before he had settled down to marriage. Perhaps mastering the art of kissing was like riding a horse. One could just hop on and off without ever forgetting how to ride, no matter how long the span of time between hopping on and hopping off.

“I’ll select two from this list,” she said with resignation. “Miss Pouty Mouth and Miss Pointy Nose. But I’ll add two entirely new prospects to invite to your summer party, too. I’m not going to tell you who they are because I do not want to hear any more nonsensical excuses out of you.”

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “Good. Done. Are we through with this marriage business for the morning?”

She nodded.

“Care to join me for a little shopping? My sons are growing so fast, they are running out of suitable clothes to wear. The Brighton shops simply do not have the extensive selection one finds here in London. I’m sure the boys will enjoy your company.”

“And you?”

“I’ve just kissed you, Gwen,” he said with a soft growl that fanned the flames her butterflies were still desperately trying to douse.

“So what if you did? It was only to prove a point to me.”

He gave her nose another light tweak. “Ah, yes. The conundrum of the pointed nose.”

“I ought to cosh you over the head for that ridiculous excuse,” she said with a light laugh, “although it was quite inspired and I must give you credit for your creativity. I cannot wait to hear what you will come up with next.”

“Well, there shall never be excuses regarding you. I always enjoy your company,” he said, and cast her a surprisingly affectionate smile. “Take that as a given.”

She suppressed the urge to eep again.

Something had decidedly shifted between them. The air around them suddenly felt charged, and she could not look at Milbury without her heart melting.

He was looking at her differently, too. Gone was his air of detached amusement, replaced with whatever look that was…hot enough to put a fiery blush in her cheeks and ignite her body from head to toe.

Perhaps they both needed to take a step back.

But she always enjoyed his company, even when he was being dense, stubborn, and determined to thwart her at every turn. Also, she adored his boys. They were fun and had a lively curiosity, although that curiosity occasionally got them into trouble.

“I have nothing pressing to do here,” she said with a casual shrug. “All right, I’ll join you and your sons.”

“Excellent.” He rose and held out his arm to her, a strong, solid arm. “They’ll be pleased. So will I.”

She left him in the entry hall while she ran upstairs to her bedchamber to fetch a pelisse and her reticule.

Her maid had just tidied her room and now held the gown she had worn last night, a lovely silk in the color of robin’s-egg blue, over the crook of her arm. “M’lady, I was just going to take this gown downstairs to refresh it. Do you have need of me?” she asked, noticing Gwendolyn fumbling through her wardrobe to find a pelisse to complement the camel-colored muslin gown she was presently wearing.

“No, Agatha. I’m just… Ah, here it is.” She withdrew a dark brown pelisse. “I’ll be out for much of the day with Lord Milbury and his children.”

Agatha, a cheerful and pleasant woman with fiery red curls, cast her an assessing grin.

Gwendolyn laughed. “Oh, no. Do not give me that look. I am helping him out in his search for a wife, that is all. To that end, he has invited me to Milbury Hill for what will likely turn into an entire month. It is his estate near Brighton, and I know you have family there.”

“Am I to come with you?” Agatha’s face lit up and she smiled brightly. “Oh, ever so gladly, Lady Gwendolyn! I shall start packing our things right away.”

Gwendolyn smiled, for this would work out nicely all around. Agatha was more than a lady’s maid to her, for she was clever, good-natured, and sensible. They were only a few years apart in age, Agatha being slightly older—although not always wiser, because she had an eternally optimistic and romantic soul that would lead her into trouble if she weren’t careful.

Not that Agatha was promiscuous or flighty. Not at all. She was not only a good and reliable maid, but… Did Gwen need anyone other than Agatha to accompany her to Milbury Hill? Perhaps she would elevate Agatha to a companion and have her serve as her chaperone.

Yes, that would work out perfectly. No need to bring along a sour-faced old woman who smelled of rosewater.