Page 6 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

Yet she was not indifferent to him—a man just knew these things. There were little telltale signs. The blush on her cheeks, the way she patted her hair whenever near him. The way she leaned closer when speaking to him.

And gad, she smelled nice. Like honeysuckle growing wild among the hedgerows in a summer meadow.

Which led him to wondering…why had she not put herself forward?

Chapter Two

Gwendolyn stared at James Milbury, who was usually quite pleasant company. However, he was being insufferably obstinate at the moment.

How was she to get around this thorny situation of her own creation? Why had she opened her big mouth and suggested a summer house party at Milbury Hill?

And why was the marquess being so implacable about requiring her to attend?

His boys were growing fidgety after having devoured all the buns and biscuits she had put out and leaving nothing but crumbs on their plates. “It is a delightful day,” Gwendolyn chirped. “Would you like to go outside while your father and I clear up this misunderstanding? I have a very nice garden. I’m sure you would prefer being outdoors rather than listening to us quibble.”

“Yes!” Robert shot out of his seat and tore out of the parlor doors that were open to allow in a cooling breeze. There was a small terrace that led straight into her garden. Robert bounded across it and onto the grass with the effortless grace of a mountain goat.

Jordan smiled in relief and ran after his brother.

Milbury arched an eyebrow. “Quite clever of you to distract my allies. But if you think this is going to even the odds, you are wrong.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” She rose and took a step away from him, wanting to put a little distance between them now that he had guessed this was precisely the tactical ploy she was attempting. She knew his sons wanted her to join them at Milbury Hill, and this would give them three-to-one odds against her.

She must have been quite transparent, for the marquess was not fooled for a moment. He rose to his impressive height, for he was a full head taller than herself, and then caught her gently by the elbow to prevent her from moving farther away from him. “Gwendolyn, why the hesitation?”

She had no answer for him. At least, no simple answer.

Even one-to-one odds were going to be impossible to overcome, she realized while staring at this handsome man who now released her to fold his arms across his chest—which was quite splendidly broad.

“Either you join me or there will be no house party.”

As they stood at an impasse, nose to nose in her parlor, and each stubbornly staring at the other, her cousin, Suzanna, dropped in. “What’s going on? Good afternoon, Milbury. Dare I ask? Another failure? Oh, poor Gwen. You must be running out of prospects by now.”

“Indeed, and I am at my wits’ end. I’m glad you stopped in.”

Gwendolyn and Suzanna were as close as sisters. They were also neighbors, ever since Suzanna had married not long ago. She and her husband, John Bonham, lived just across the little square of flowers in their Duchess Square enclave.

“Can you believe it, Suzanna?” She quickly explained the situation, emphasizing the ridiculousness of Milbury’s requiring her presence at Milbury Hill, and certain her cousin would support her. “There, what do you think? Am I right or am I right?”

Suzanna laughed. “You are completely wrong, Gwen.”

Gwendolyn’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Lord Milbury has the right of it. He cannot possibly court the young ladies you have selected for him and play host. Nor does he have any experience in putting such a party together.”

“Hence the suggestion of Fiona,” she said between clenched teeth.

“Fiona has a child and a husband to care for. Yes, she can help in the details. But she cannot be there day in and day out as you would be, Gwen.” Suzanna turned to Milbury, who seemed quite pleased to have her as his ally. “Indeed, my cousin must be by your side for the duration of the house party. How else is she to properly assess your courtship of these various prospects? You must have her sharp eyes watching them and how they behave whenever they are around you and, most of all, whenever not around you.”

“As I’ve told her.” He cast Gwendolyn a smile she would have considered irresistible if she weren’t so peeved.

“She’ll be an excellent hostess and will make everything look effortless,” Suzanna said, nodding in approval. “Since she is unfamiliar with the Brighton area, she might have to turn to Fiona for recommendations in a pinch. You know, the best merchants, since you’ll need to order plenty of food, drinks, and general household supplies, and will require additional servants. You’ll need an orchestra or at least a pianist or harpist for an evening’s entertainment. Fiona will have recommendations for those, too.”

“I’m willing to take on as much staff as Fiona and your cousin believe necessary,” Milbury added. “My housekeeper and cook are reliable and can also provide helpful suggestions.”

Suzanna cast him another approving smile. “Excellent. See how easily it is all falling into place, Gwen? You shall have all the help you need. Oh, I assume travel arrangements are included for Gwen, and a chaperone too?”

Milbury nodded. “Of course. I have already made this clear to your cousin. Any companion she chooses to bring is welcome. I’ll make all the arrangements.” He turned to Gwendolyn. “And they shall be first-class arrangements for both of you. All travel to and from Milbury Hill, and anything else you require during the entire time you remain with us, is my responsibility. In fact, if you wish to bring your cousin and her husband along, they are most welcome.”