Walter blinked. “Three?”
“Indeed, and being children, the twins ate them.”
“I didn’t realize that.”
Gwendolyn waved that aside. “Samuel told me, after he finished tossing up his accounts, that you were speaking with Gideon Abbott when Cordelia bought them the apples, Cordelia evidently telling you she’d be fine taking the children around to some games while you spoke with your friend. And while I found it encouraging she’d volunteer to watch over the children, the last thing you need is another woman who’ll indulge their every whim.”
“I’ve noticed Mother and Matilda seem to be making an effort to be less indulgent of late, although I’m fairly sure that’s a result of their being slightly terrified of you.”
“They’re not terrified of me, they’re merely coming to the realization that their spoiling has led to less than acceptable results,” Gwendolyn said. “But returning to Cordelia, I’m not convinced she has the children’s best interests at heart. I think she volunteered to watch them merely to impress you but then resorted to plying them with sweets to entertain them instead of joining them in the games the fair offered, which would have been more enjoyable for the twins and would not have seen them suffering sour stomachs.”
Walter frowned. “You said Samuel tossed up his accounts?”
“He did, as did Priscilla. I found them in the retiring room with Oscar when I dropped by to see what the children had to say about the fair after a meeting I had with Mr. Russell Damrosch. I was not pleased with the condition I found the twins in.”
“If I’d known they were feeling poorly, I wouldn’t have sent them home with the governesses while I escorted Cordelia back to her cottage.”
She gave his arm a pat. “Since you didn’t know Cordelia had overindulged their sweet tooth, you had no way of knowing the twins were soon to fall ill.”
Walter pressed two fingers against his forehead, where tension was settling. “Why didn’t you mention any of this at the dinner we attended after the fair?”
“Because you were there to spend time getting to know Miss Harriet Fleischman, a recent arrival in Newport. From what I saw during dinner, you seemed to be appreciating her company.”
“She was an enjoyable dinner companion, although she didn’t seem to want to discuss anything but the latest fashions, even though I did try, per your suggestion, to speak about current events.” He winced. “That didn’t go over well, because she doesn’t keep abreast of local news.”
“Something that’s not in her favor, but there was no need to worry you about the children. Ethel and I made an early night of it, and when we returned here, the children were looking much better. I took over for Oscar, who was reading them Robinson Crusoe, and the twins fell asleep about an hour later.”
“You put the children to bed?”
“Since Ethel and I discovered the governesses sleeping when we returned, yes, I put the twins to bed. But it wasn’t a bother. I often put my siblings to bed when I still lived in my parents’ house.” She smiled. “There is something quite special about tucking a child in for the night.”
Warmth immediately spread through Walter, but before he could get a single word of appreciation out of his mouth for Gwendolyn’s care of his children, she released a sigh.
“I don’t know how to steer you in the right direction at this point. I can’t be with you all the time to observe how specific ladies treat the children. And unfortunately, there’s not an event planned where all the ladies would be present at the same time as the children, which would allow me an opportunity to compare their mothering skills.”
Walter tilted his head. “What about Mother’s ball?”
“What about it?”
“I could ask her to modify it, perhaps turn it into a ball where children are welcome to attend. She’s been worried everyone will find our ball less than exciting since Mamie Fish held that event where dogs were the guests of honor.”
Gwendolyn’s eyes began to sparkle. “But that’s brilliant, and it will be far more exciting than a dog party. We could bring in a magician and offer pony rides for the children, and offer games like croquet and badminton for the adults. We’ll clearly have to modify the dress requirements so the ladies can participate, especially the eligible ones we’ve had you escorting about. I’m sure Ethel will be agreeable, because it’ll make her ball stand out from all the other society events this Season.”
“Then it’s settled,” Walter said, rising to his feet and pulling Gwendolyn up beside him. “I’ll speak to Mother later today, but for now, we should probably check on the lovebirds.”
“Indeed,” Gwendolyn said with a grin, her grin fading when they reentered the room and discovered that in their absence, August’s face had been painted with little green hearts on both of his cheeks.
Walter shot a look to Oscar, who rolled his eyes.
“It wasn’t us,” he said. “Miss Howe did that.”
“An unusual flirting technique to be sure,” Gwendolyn said.
Miss Howe didn’t bat an eye. “I simply couldn’t resist.”
“Try,” Gwendolyn said.
Walter laughed. “I think all of us may need a little fresh air and a diversion from flirting. Which is why it’s fortunate a purchase I recently made has been delivered. It’s waiting on the front porch.”
“What is it, Papa?” Priscilla asked, abandoning her paintbrush as she scampered his way.
“Bicycles. Well, tricycles for you and Samuel, a bicycle for myself, and one for Miss Brinley as well.”
Gwendolyn arched a brow. “You bought me a bicycle?”
“How else can you teach me to ride if you don’t have a bicycle of your own to show me?”
“I don’t know how to ride a bicycle.”
“Hmmm . . .” Walter said, rubbing his chin before he nodded to August. “Do you know how to ride?”
“I’m afraid not, but perhaps Hannah does,” August said, turning to Hannah.
When they immediately began staring into each other’s eyes again, Hannah adding a bit of lash fluttering for good measure, Gwendolyn cleared her throat . . . loudly.
Hannah pulled her attention away from August, her cheeks turned decidedly pink, and then she shook her head. “I don’t know how to ride either.”
Walter turned to Oscar. “Looks like it’ll be up to you to teach us.”
Oscar’s brows drew together. “You want me to instruct all of you on the finer points of bicycle riding?”
“Indeed. In fact I’m sure you’ll be more than up for the task, just as I’m certain you’ll relish ordering all of us about.”
Oscar scratched his nose. “Might be amusing.”
“I imagine it will.”
Oscar tilted his head, seemed to consider the possibilities of teaching everyone to ride, then nodded. “Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll meet everyone outside on the front drive in ten minutes.” With that, he strode from the room with a distinct sense of purpose in his step.
Walter watched his son disappear as a feeling of contentment settled over him—one he’d not felt in a very long time, if ever. He couldn’t keep from smiling as he helped the twins put the paint and brushes away, his smile widening when Priscilla tugged him out of the nursery, her little hand clasped firmly in his.