She stopped rubbing her temple. “I rarely gloat.”
“I beg to differ. I’ve seen your expression turning gloat-ish—not that that’s even a word—on more than a few occasions.”
She grinned. “I shall school my expressions accordingly, as well as any gloating comments I may feel the urge to voice.”
The sight of Gwendolyn’s grin caused Walter’s stomach to clench, something he found beyond puzzling, but he then decided the clenching was most likely a result of what he was going to admit. Drawing in a breath, he caught her gaze. “If you must know, after I returned to the city, I considered some of our conversations and realized you were right in that I was asking too much to expect you to find me a suitable wife when I was rarely going to be in Newport.”
Her eyes began to gleam. “Did you just say I was right?”
“And there it is, the gloating expression, which is certain to increase when I admit that, yes, you were right, and not just about the time I wasn’t intending to spend in Newport. You were also annoyingly correct when you implied I didn’t know my own children—another reason I returned early.”
All traces of gloating disappeared in a flash as Gwendolyn laid a hand on his arm. “I’m delighted to hear that, because I’ve spent some time with your children this week, and they’re extraordinary, as well as misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, they can behave when they put an effort into minding their manners.”
Walter’s brows drew together. “Are you certain we’re talking about the same children—my children?”
She laughed. “Indeed. And again, they’re adorable when they want to be. They’re also highly intelligent and possess a great deal of charm.”
“Did you say . . . charm?”
She released another laugh. “Don’t sound so surprised. They can be charming. Believe me, I’ve seen it.”
“Priscilla told me you’ve given them a task.”
“I’ve asked them for their thoughts on any ladies they may speak with today.”
Walter quirked a brow. “Because?”
“They’re the ones who’ll be gaining a new mother if you remarry. So I’ve pointed them in the direction of some of the ladies you’ll be squiring around this weekend. They’re supposed to give me their opinions on those ladies after we return to Sea Haven later this afternoon.”
“I’ll be squiring ladies this weekend?”
“Of course. Composing a social itinerary for you is what you’ve hired me to do. While you were in the city, I drew up a schedule for you, filled with different engagements you’ll be attending Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. Tomorrow however, being Thursday, you’re on your own because I didn’t know you’d be returning to Newport early and don’t have time to adjust your schedule.”
Before Walter could respond to that, Phyllis Duveen wandered into view, caught sight of them, smiled, and strode over to join them. She gave Gwendolyn a kiss on the cheek before holding out her hand to him, which he dutifully lifted to his lips and kissed.
“Mr. Townsend, how delightful to have you back in Newport,” Phyllis said after he released her hand. “Have you noticed how my darling Adelaide is currently reading to your children, which suggests she’s very good with children, especially when there’ve been no tantrums thrown throughout the time she’s spent with them?”
“I did notice.”
Phyllis released a dramatic sigh. “It’s unfortunate Priscilla and Oscar don’t tolerate cats, because Adelaide would have been a perfect candidate for you, if only she would agree to abandon her herd of cats.”
“Something you know isn’t going to happen,” Gwendolyn said.
“Thank you for dashing any hopes I may have been clinging to, but I’m afraid you’re right,” Phyllis muttered before she stepped closer to Gwendolyn. “However, Adelaide and her many cats aside, I was actually seeking you out because I need to speak with you about a delicate matter.”
“You want me to convince Mrs. Parker to sponsor Adelaide even though Mrs. Parker refused to entertain that idea a few years back?”
Phyllis waved that aside. “Adelaide would have my head if I even suggested such a thing. No, what I need to speak with you about revolves around Mrs. Higgenson. She, my dear, is infuriated with you for encouraging Clarence to ask Mrs. Lanier to marry him. Mrs. Higgenson is not a woman to trifle with, and I’m afraid she has you in her sights—which is why . . . she’s invited your grandmother to Newport.”
Gwendolyn blinked. “My Grandmother Brinley?”
“Indeed.”
“Why would she do that?”
“I believe Mrs. Higgenson intends to ruin you, thinking your grandmother—what with how she disowned your father—will give you the cut direct, which will then have everyone in society doing the same.”
Walter frowned and caught Gwendolyn’s eye. “Forgive me, but I fear I’m at a disadvantage. It almost sounds as if your grandmother travels in society, what with how she evidently can deliver you a cut direct, and that has me questioning exactly what you meant when you told me you weren’t an average woman in service.”
“It’s a long story and now is hardly the time to get into it, but yes, my grandmother is society—Boston society to be exact. We’re estranged, but my grandmother values the reputation of the Brinley name above all else. I’m sure Mrs. Higgenson has told her I’m roaming around Newport as an assistant matchmaker, which means I doubt Grandmother Brinley will hesitate to take Mrs. Higgenson up on her invitation to visit.”
Walter considered her for a moment. “You don’t appear overly disturbed about a future encounter with your grandmother.”
Gwendolyn shrugged. “There’s little sense in avoiding unpleasantness, because that only prolongs that state. While I’d prefer not to have this specific obstacle placed in my path at this particular moment, a confrontation is probably long overdue. Hopefully, it’ll be the last tumultuous circumstance I experience for the rest of the summer, because, frankly, I can’t imagine my summer could possibly hold many more unexpected surprises.”
Walter opened his mouth, a hundred questions on the tip of his tongue, but before he could voice a single one, the chatter of background voices suddenly disappeared, leaving an odd silence in its wake.
“Is it my imagination, or has everyone stopped speaking?” Phyllis asked before she stood on tiptoe and squinted to where the majority of guests were assembled. “I can’t see much from here, but if I’m not mistaken, a new guest just arrived.”
“Who do you think it is?” Gwendolyn asked.
“Only one way to find out,” Phyllis said, taking hold of Gwendolyn’s arm, then snagging hold of Walter’s before she pulled them forward.
It didn’t take long to make their way to the edge of the crowd, where Gwendolyn stopped without warning right as she drew in a sharp breath.
Walter turned his attention to where she was now staring and discovered a beautiful woman with red hair sauntering toward the guests. Dressed in the first state of fashion, she walked with such confidence it was clear she was a lady accustomed to drawing and holding attention.