Page 33 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

But it had. Even all these days later, her heart still fluttered whenever she thought about their kiss.

“Let me take a last look around and make certain I haven’t forgotten anything.” She quickly went through a list in her head and mentally checked off each item.

She was very good at making lists, especially of prospective brides for Milbury. It wasn’t her fault he was stomping on each carefully crafted introduction she had planned for him.

“No, m’lady. Nothing’s forgotten,” Agatha said. “I’ve already checked everything twice. The only thing you are lacking is a bathing costume, and we’ve agreed it is best to obtain one for you in Brighton, where you’ll find a far better selection.”

“You’ll need one, too,” Gwendolyn mused.

Agatha’s eyes rounded in obvious surprise. “Oh, no. You’ll not get me into the water! I’m no fish and I don’t know how to swim.”

“Nor do I,” Gwendolyn admitted. “But I would like to learn. I’ll ask Fiona to teach me. I’m sure we’ll be seeing quite a lot of her, since Shoreham Manor is right next door.”

“Upon my word! It is Lord Milbury who must teach you. What lady in her right mind would give up the opportunity to be in his arms, even if it is while in the water and he’s holding on to you to keep you from drowning? It still counts.”

Gwendolyn laughed. “Agatha, that might be too scandalous.”

“Who’s to know? We’ll be there for several weeks before the other guests arrive. I’m sure his servants know better than to tattle. They’ll be loyal and true to a good man like him.”

Gwendolyn acknowledged her words with a nod, and then gave herself a quick inspection in the mirror. She smiled in approval of her travel attire, a gown of dark-blue muslin with matching velvet pelisse and a soft velvet hat of the same dark blue that looked quite pert atop her head.

Everyone was bustling around the two carriages lined up one behind the other, but all Gwendolyn saw was the smile on Milbury’s face as she walked out the door. He strode toward her, his expression warm and inviting. “Ready?”

She smiled back and nodded, determined to overcome her hesitation. It was time to move forward, even though her stomach was in agonized revolt at the idea. “This is beginning to feel very real.”

“Quite the adventure?”

She nodded.

“A good one, Gwen. I promise. You look lovely, by the way.”

She blushed. “It’s the hat. Completely makes the outfit.”

“No, it is all you.” He tucked her arm in his. “Ladies dress for other ladies. Men do not give a fig what a woman is wearing because our simple brains are only thinking of the body that lies beneath.”

“Truly? Even you?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Yes. I may be difficult to please, but I am not dead. Even an old man taking his last breath will notice a nicely shaped woman. Jordan is only thirteen and has already taken to gawking at the ladies. Oh, gad,” he said with a wincing groan followed by a chuckle. “He’s staring at you as though you are a hot, buttered scone. Oh, now he’s putting on a simpering smile.”

“Oh dear.” Gwendolyn tried not to laugh, but both of his sons were now standing beside the carriage and grinning at her like a pair of hyenas.

Milbury let out a resigned breath. “Both my boys adore you and think you are beautiful.”

“And you?” she asked, then immediately regretted asking. “Oh, do not answer that! I did not mean to put you on the spot. Besides, it is entirely irrelevant, since I am not one of your bride prospects.”

He frowned and held her back a moment as they stood on her front walk. “I beg to differ. It is quite relevant because none of those prospects have come close to being as pretty as you.”

“But they were all ton diamonds in their day.”

“As you would have been. The only difference is that you did not put yourself forward because you felt that your heart was already taken.” Milbury motioned for his boys to climb into the carriage and resumed leading her toward it.

But Gwendolyn was curious to know more about Milbury’s feelings for her. Clearly, she was quite dense not to have realized what was happening over the span of their acquaintance. Having worked together fairly closely with her for several months now, he was growing to trust her and feel comfortable around her.

Too comfortable. He was mistaking their natural ease around each other for attraction.

The same was happening to her, she realized. She could not deny how much she had grown to enjoy his company and how intensely their kiss had affected her.

There was no help for it: They needed to have a private conversation about these unexpected feelings developing between them before matters got out of hand.