Page 32 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

She was right, but the passage of years reduced the odds of Andrew’s ever turning up. Without a body there could be no absolute proof of death, but ten years had now elapsed since she had stopped receiving his letters, and six years since the end of the war.

While he did not wish the man dead, he did think Andrew’s condition was irrelevant at this point. These passing years were long enough to wait, to pine and yearn. Whether he was alive or dead no longer mattered.

Gwendolyn needed to move on.

“I did not mean to end this afternoon on a sad note,” he said, rubbing a hand along the nape of his neck in frustration.

“Nor did I.” She forced a smile. “My maid, Agatha, is going to act as my chaperone while I am with you at Milbury Hill. She is slightly older than me, and very bright and engaging. I am bringing her along as my companion, not as my maid. Not that I really care what anyone thinks of this arrangement. Gossips will always find a reason to gossip. Anyway, Agatha has family in Brighton that she is eager to visit. It will all work out perfectly. All I have left to do is decide upon the last two prospective brides.”

“I’m sure they’ll be delightful.”

She laughed. “Oh dear. Are you feverish, Milbury?”

“That’s James to you, and no. I am hale and fully in control of my senses. I know you always try your best for me. I’m sorry I have been so wretchedly difficult about it. May I stop by tomorrow to discuss our travel arrangements?”

“All right. Same time as usual?”

He shook his head. “I have some business meetings in the morning that cannot be rescheduled. How about I call upon you in the early afternoon?”

“Oh, that won’t do. I am entertaining the Ladies Tea Society tomorrow afternoon. We meet every Thursday without fail. This is my week to host. Perhaps Friday will be the better day, since you are to take the boys to Weston & Sons for their final fittings that afternoon. Would you mind if I went along with you?”

He chuckled. “Blessed saints, that would be vastly appreciated.”

He helped her down once his carriage pulled up in front of her home.

“Thank you again for today, Gwen,” he said, walking her to her door. However, he did not go in. “I’ll call upon you Friday morning at ten o’clock.”

“Sounds perfect.” She smiled and then darted into the house the moment Biggs opened the door.

James strode to his carriage and climbed back in. “Home, Fuller.”

“Aye, m’lord.”

He released a heavy breath, grateful for a moment’s privacy before he reached his residence and had to attend to his sons or work matters.

In the quiet, he once more thought of the kiss he and Gwendolyn had shared. She’d liked it. He was not so out of practice as to be unable to sense a woman’s arousal.

Not that Gwen was ready to rip off his clothes and savage his body. Far from it. But that kiss had signified a change in their relationship. However, the next hurdle would be in getting her to acknowledge it.

As for him, he had enjoyed their kiss tremendously and was ready to pursue something serious with her.

But this raised another problem, one he knew he could not keep secret from Gwendolyn, much as he wished he could. If he ever stood any chance of winning her heart, it had to be with complete honesty.

How was he to tell her about Cordelia?

Chapter Eight

The week passed without incident, although Gwendolyn still had mixed feelings about leaving London. First and foremost, she feared Andrew would turn up at her door while she was off at Milbury Hill. But she refused to allow this fear to hold her back any longer. Biggs knew where she would be staying and also knew to tell Andrew her whereabouts on the chance he thought to ride down to Milbury Hill and surprise her. Biggs also knew to ask Andrew for his London address so that she could send a message to him immediately upon her return.

Would he ride down to Milbury Hill to find her?

Gwendolyn shook out of the thought. He was not going to suddenly show up at her door in the one month she was away.

“M’lady, the footmen are loading our bags onto the carriages,” Agatha said, bustling into her bedchamber, her eyes bright with excitement. “Lord Milbury and his sons await you in their carriage. I am to ride in the second one with his valet and the trunks. Oh, isn’t this thrilling!”

“Yes,” Gwendolyn replied with a genuine smile. Despite her illogical concerns about missing Andrew’s arrival on her doorstep, she was eager to spend time with Milbury and his boys.

In truth, more than eager. Since she always tried to be honest with herself, she was not going to deny her growing fondness for Milbury. She had not been able to put their kiss out of her mind. Oh, she knew it was merely meant to test his absurd pointy-nose theory and not intended to put her in a swoon.