Page 51 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

“Will you swim with us, Papa?” Robert asked between bites of his cold chicken.

“Yes, son.”

Both boys cheered.

“He’s going to show off to you, Gwendolyn,” Jordan teased. “He’s a very good swimmer.”

Milbury laughed. “A necessity, since you two imps seem to find new ways to get yourselves into trouble in the water.”

“It was only the once,” Robert insisted. “We’ve been careful ever since.”

Jordan turned to Gwendolyn. “I’d show you my scar, but that would require me to take off my trousers.”

Gwendolyn coughed as she laughed. “I’ll take your word about it.”

After finishing a meal comprising bread, cheese, cold ham, roast chicken—that seemed to be Robert’s favorite—and a lemon seed cake, she and Milbury strolled along the sand while the boys built a remarkably realistic sandcastle by the shore. “What do you think of this place, Gwen?”

“I am appalled that I have never been to the seacoast before.”

“Never? But were you not raised in Devon?”

“Yes, but inland. Still, it is unforgivable that I never bothered to explore the Devon seacoast. But I’m glad to be here, near Brighton. It is a whole new world for me and I love it so far. I am truly grateful to you for bringing me here.”

“You must know that you are welcome to stay for as long as you wish.”

She shook her head. “Oh, I do not think your new bride will want me around once you choose her.”

“Right. That business,” he muttered.

When they returned to the blanket, his sons ran over and began to tug on their father’s arm. “Come swim with us, Papa,” Robert pleaded.

“All right. I’ll be right there. Give me a moment to remove my boots.”

The boys ran into the water ahead of him.

Milbury sat on the blanket and took off his boots, then paused and cleared his throat. “Gwen, I’ll keep my shirt on if you will feel uncomfortable with my tossing it off.”

Dear heaven. She had been praying he would take it off.

Was this sinful of her? After all, she was a thirty-two-year-old spinster. She had no intention of going to her grave without ever seeing a man’s body. There were other things she wished to do with a man, but this was not the time to dwell on that.

“No, do whatever you ordinarily do. Do not let me interfere with your usual routine.”

“Our usual?” He arched an eyebrow. “We undress completely when it is just the three of us. But my sons have strict instructions to keep their trousers on whenever you are with us. We’ll probably keep shirts on, too, once our party guests arrive.”

“That does not sound comfortable. It cannot be pleasant to swim fully dressed.”

“It isn’t, but that’s what we’ll do if we cannot figure out a workable swimming schedule for the men.”

“Papa! We’re waiting!” Robert called out with marked impatience.

“Join your boys, and take off your shirt, if you wish. My delicate sensibilities will not be offended.”

“Thank you, Gwen. I won’t stay in the water too long. Take off your walking boots and dip a toe in the water. You’ll enjoy it.”

She nodded.

And almost swooned when his shirt came off to reveal broad shoulders, exquisite arm muscles that stole her breath, and the flat, rippling planes of his stomach that would have her salivating if she did not look away this very moment.