Page 66 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

“Oh, Gwen. You are such an idiot.”

What if Milbury had thought she was not going to join them and they were all swimming naked? After all, he had made no effort to include her in their beach activity today.

But when Milbury tossed Robert into the air as they played their diving game, she saw the boy had on his trousers. He tossed Jordan next, and he was also wearing trousers. She knew Milbury would have his on, too.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she walked down the wooden steps and sat on the third step from last, quietly watching them. None of them immediately noticed her.

Robert was the first to see her, and waved. “Hi, Gwendolyn! Water’s great. Come on, wade in.”

She waved back. “That’s wonderful, but I am safest here! No more tumbles into the deep for me.”

Jordan laughed.

James ignored her.

She had just decided to return to the house when James left his boys swimming and strode out of the water toward her.

He resembled a magnificent aquatic god, broad chested and muscled, droplets glistening off his tanned torso.

Meanwhile, she must have looked like a pathetically lonely spinster who did not deserve anyone giving her a second look.

He marched toward her and held out his hand. “Care to take a walk along the beach?”

She nodded. “I would love to. Are you just being polite or do you really wish for my company?”

He glanced at the band encircled just below her bosom. “Butterflies?”

She tipped her chin into the air. “Yes.”

“Sending me a message?”

“Yes.”

He took hold of her hand. “And what might that message be?”

She winced. “I don’t know yet. Maybe that I am not going to run back to Andrew and forgive these last ten years just because he’s turned up alive. My heart will decide, and it is not leaning favorably toward him right now.”

“Not sure I believe that, Gwen.”

But he kept hold of her hand as they began their amble along the sandy shore.

She had taken off her shoes and was not averse to walking near the water’s edge. Gentle waves swirled around her ankles and tickled her toes. “Do you have plans for us for tomorrow?”

He shrugged. “Is there anything you care to do? We are invited to dine at Shoreham Manor with Fiona and Durham tomorrow evening but are otherwise free all day.”

“Do you think your sons might like to go on a nature hike?”

“I’m sure they’ll enjoy anything you plan to do with them.”

“And you?” Gwendolyn ventured. “I hope you will join us. Or we can go fishing, if you prefer.”

“The boys will prefer a nature hike.”

She looked up to gaze into eyes that seemed hardened still. “Just the boys?”

“You are better off counting me out. Not sure I’ll be fit company by tomorrow,” he admitted. “Besides, I usually have a pile of work to get through each day. I prefer to dig right in first thing in the morning. The Milbury properties need constant attention. My duties don’t let up merely because I have taken up residence here for the summer.”

“I see. Of course. Then it shall be just me and the boys.”