She squared her shoulders. “Before I jot down His Highness’s name on any of your cards, he and I need to engage in a bit of a conference regarding the evening.”
Tillie’s brows shot all the way into her hairline. “Forgive me, Miss Brinley, but I couldn’t help but detect what seemed to be a hint of sarcasm in your tone when you referred to Mr. Townsend as His Highness.”
Elizabeth nodded before Gwendolyn could respond. “Oh, there was definitely sarcasm.” She settled a frown on Gwendolyn. “I’m not certain I understand the derision though. You should be honored Mr. Townsend broke with convention to have a matchmaker look after his best interests, and honored he wanted you and Mrs. Parker to represent him.”
“Honored does not remotely explain my feelings toward Mr. Townsend,” Gwendolyn returned. “Appalled would be a more apt description, because sorting out a gentleman’s lady problems was not something I thought I’d ever be doing.”
Elizabeth raised a hand to her throat. “Mr. Townsend considers us problems?”
Mutters immediately resounded amongst the young ladies, ones that were certainly going to be accompanied by a barrage of questions regarding Walter’s thoughts, his dislikes, and most importantly, why he’d consider the ladies of society to be problems.
“That probably didn’t come out the way I intended,” Gwendolyn muttered. “I’m afraid I’m a little tired considering I almost drowned today, which may explain why I’m having difficulties expressing myself well this evening.”
“You seemed perfectly capable of swimming your way to shore,” Suzette pointed out.
“My swimming abilities come and go. But if you’ll excuse me, I believe I should have my chat with Walter sooner than later.”
Before she could make a much-needed escape, Tillie stepped closer, her eyes narrowed. “How interesting you’re evidently annoyed to be representing Mr. Townsend and yet you’re very free with addressing him by his given name.”
Gwendolyn narrowed her eyes right back at Tillie. “I would consider guarding that sharp tongue of yours, Miss Wickham. It won’t help you get Walter’s name on your dance card this evening.”
“I would think it’s up to Mr. Townsend to decide the ladies he longs to take to the floor with,” Tillie shot back.
Gwendolyn released a breath when the thought struck that dealing with ladies of the Four Hundred would try the patience of a saint. Summoning up a smile, she lifted her chin.
“Ladies, I feel we need to clear the air between us once and for all,” she began, earning more than a few blinks of surprise in return. “If you’re unaware, Walter decided to secure my assistance as a matchmaker because he wanted someone to manage his Season for him. It’s at my discretion which ladies will get to spend time with him and when, which means all of you may want to consider tucking your surly attitudes away when you’re in my company. I assure you, surliness will not see you achieving much success toward spending time with the catch of the Season.”
Thirteen
“I never pegged you for a man who’d resort to bringing in a matchmaker to sort out your love life, Walter.”
Walter pulled his attention from Gwendolyn, who’d been heading his way until she was waylaid by Hannah Howe and Cordelia Lowe, and settled it on Mr. Gideon Abbott, a friend he often sought out to discuss prospective investment ideas. “It was a desperate act, Gideon, necessitated by finding myself awash in feminine attention.”
“Because one so often hears gentlemen complain about too much feminine notice, especially gentlemen searching for potential brides,” Gideon said with a twitch of his lips.
Walter rubbed the back of his neck where tension had settled. “When you put it that way, my reasoning does sound somewhat suspect. However, after I found myself privy to a spat between two society ladies I’ve never heard exchange a cross word, I realized that ladies have thrust aside the decorum they set their teeth on—apparently done so because a good majority of them seem to want to acquire me this Season.”
“Bet that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”
“Not particularly, which is another reason I decided I needed a professional to regulate the complex situation I now find myself involved in. Getting Mrs. Parker’s agreement to have Gwendolyn Brinley act as a go-between for me and the ladies was the smartest decision I’ve made in weeks.”
Gideon brushed aside a strand of black hair that had escaped the tie fashioned at the back of his neck. “I would think your smartest decision of late would be deciding you want to marry again.”
“I’m not certain that was a wise decision, more on the lines of a necessary one.” Walter blew out a breath. “The children have become almost unmanageable of late, their increasing misbehavior aided by two grandmothers who seem to believe their grandchildren are going to suffer irreparable harm if their every whim isn’t appeased.”
“Perhaps you should look into hiring more effective governesses as opposed to the life-altering permanence of matrimony.”
“I’ve hired effective governesses before. They never stay long because they have a habit of tussling with my mother and mother-in-law. Constant friction seems to be a breaking point with the staff.”
Gideon shot a look to Gwendolyn, who was jotting something down in a notepad she’d whipped out of a fashionable reticule hanging from her wrist. “It’s unfortunate you couldn’t talk Miss Brinley into taking on a governess position. From what you’ve told me, she has a very managing way about her. I don’t get the impression she’d be cowed by the grandmothers.”
“Believe me, I tried. She wouldn’t consider my offer. She’s evidently a woman who takes her commitments seriously, and she committed her entire summer to Mrs. Parker. I’m not happy to admit this, but I find her determination to see her pledge to Mrs. Parker through to the end impressive. It, annoyingly enough, speaks well of her character.”
“It does indeed,” Gideon agreed. “I don’t imagine you enjoyed her refusal of a position though. You’re not one to frequently suffer losses.”
“I didn’t appreciate her refusal, but I don’t think I’ve lost the battle between us, not when I had the foresight to have Mrs. Parker sponsor me. That brilliant move has left Gwendolyn in charge of my social itinerary. Given how ladies seem to be unusually intimidated by my matchmaker, I’ll now be able to enjoy a less stressful summer.”
“How does Gwendolyn feel about being responsible for your social docket?”
“She’s less than exuberant, which means we’re certain to have a few confrontations in the near future.”
Gideon tilted his head. “Why do I get the distinct impression you’re relishing the idea of battles with Gwendolyn?”
“I never said I was savoring the idea of exchanging barbs with her.”
“Your face suggests otherwise.”
A laugh escaped Walter. “You, my friend, have clearly been immersed in cloak-and-dagger missions for far too long. You’re looking for intrigue when none exists. Gwendolyn is my matchmaker, nothing more.”
Walter ignored the rather telling snort Gideon sent him and shot a look to where Gwendolyn was still talking with Miss Cordelia Lowe. Her toe was now tapping against the highly polished parquet floor, keeping time with the words erupting out of Cordelia’s mouth.