As they walked together down the stairwell, he heard Gwendolyn discussing the finer points of bicycle riding with Oscar, who’d rejoined them on the stairs, and in that moment, he realized his sense of contentment was a direct result of her entering his life.
And not that he’d taken an opportunity to truly dwell on a thought that kept flitting to mind, but it was becoming clear that the time he spent in Gwendolyn’s company was far more than pleasant, which was quite telling and certainly demanded closer consideration.
Thirty
It had been almost three weeks since Gwendolyn had had her first bicycle lesson, and even though she was currently managing events at the Townsend ball, she kept becoming distracted by a concerning thought that had plagued her relentlessly over the past few days. That thought revolved around the sneaking suspicion she might have broken a cardinal matchmaking rule, because somehow she’d, perhaps, developed feelings, and those of the affectionate type, for Walter.
One minute she’d found him to be the most annoying gentleman she’d ever had the misfortune to meet, but the next she’d found herself looking forward to their slightly contentious exchanges, as well as looking forward to seeing his smile or watching him interact with his children.
He was far too compelling when he smiled, and when he laughed while engaged with the twins or Oscar, her heart—something that never gave her difficulties—seemed to take on a life of its own, lurching about and feeling quite as if it might burst.
It was a very odd predicament to find herself in.
She’d thought about the matter incessantly of late, and her only conclusion was that her change in feelings had begun when they’d learned to ride bicycles together.
It had been one of the most enjoyable afternoons in recent memory, filled with far too many scrapes to count, because learning to ride a bicycle had been no easy feat. However, even with all the tumbles she’d taken, she’d been unable to do anything but appreciate that time with Walter, helping him push the twins on their new tricycles, and then being ordered around by Oscar, who certainly seemed to delight in his role as boss as he’d gone about the business of teaching four adults how to ride a contraption that seemed to defy gravity.
“Gwendolyn, there you are,” Ethel said, walking up to join her, which pulled Gwendolyn from thoughts that were leaving her cheeks decidedly warm. “Ward McAllister is insisting on managing the dancing for me, while also proclaiming this evening an original event if he’s ever seen one, what with how we encouraged the guests to bring their children and have arranged activities that allow the children to have their fair share of amusements. With our adult revelers now in good hands, I’m free to assist you with the children, but . . .”
Ethel’s gaze settled on Gwendolyn’s face. “Are you alright, dear? You’re looking flushed.”
Gwendolyn flipped open the silk fan Ethel had given to all the ladies at the Townsend ball and began plying it in front of her face. “I’m fine. I’ve just been running about like mad, attempting to observe the greatest contenders for a match for Walter. They’re somewhat tricky to keep track of, given the number of guests.”
“Have you noticed any of the ladies showing a particular fondness for the children?”
Gwendolyn stopped fanning herself. “Cordelia Lowe made a point of seeking the children out when she first arrived, bearing lollipops for them, unfortunately. Priscilla and Samuel weren’t what I’d call overjoyed when I confiscated their treats the second Cordelia’s back was turned. Oscar, however, was in full agreement with my confiscation, because he recalls the tossing up of the accounts incident after the candy-apple fiasco.
“The twins kept trying to convince me they’d not been that ill, but I’m pleased to report drama didn’t commence. Priscilla was looking a little mutinous, and Samuel was eyeing my reticule, where I’d stashed the lollipops, as if he were trying to think of some magic trick the magician you brought in tonight might have taught him to get the treats back. However, after I reminded them they had a task to complete, which meant they didn’t have time for stomachaches, they accepted the deprivation of their sweets, and off they went with Oscar.”
“They’re still giving you reports on all the ladies who speak with them?”
“They are, although their reporting has been slim tonight. Besides Cordelia’s giving them treats, the only reports thus far have been that Suzette Tilden patted Priscilla on the head—something she didn’t appreciate—and Tillie Wickham tried to impress Samuel by telling him all about a fish her father recently caught, unaware that after the fish-head incident Samuel has an aversion to those.”
Gwendolyn smiled. “But no need to look disappointed. I’m sure there’ll be a few ladies who rise to the top of possible contenders once we get a rousing game of Annie Over in motion. I’ve scheduled it to coincide with a lull in the dancing in about fifteen minutes.”
“I’ve never heard of Annie Over,” Ethel said.
“It’s a delightful game I played often in my youth, and it’s not difficult to learn,” Gwendolyn said. “Two teams line up with a long table or, in our case, a long hedge between them, and the only game piece necessary is a ball. The team in possession of the ball calls out ‘Annie Over’ and throws the ball over the hedge. If their opponent catches it, they change sides as quickly as possible. The fun is that the person who catches the ball gets to throw it at an opponent as they switch sides. If that opponent is hit, they’re out. The team left standing is the winner.”
“That sounds like a marvelous game. I can’t wait to watch the children play it,” Walter suddenly said from behind her.
Stilling for the briefest of seconds, Gwendolyn forced herself to turn and found Walter smiling back at her. He looked dashing in his formal evening wear, his dark hair falling over his forehead, something that suggested he’d danced every dance she’d scheduled for him thus far. “How was your time with Cordelia?” she asked.
“Pleasant.”
She couldn’t help herself—she laughed. “Of course it was, and the one you shared with Adelaide?”
“That was downright amusing. Adelaide entertained me with stories about her many cats, but before either of you run off to convince her she should get rid of her little darlings because two of my children can’t tolerate them, she told me, and firmly, that while she knows her mother would love nothing more than to see her become a member of the Townsend family, she’s convinced we’re never meant to be anything other than friends.”
He grinned. “From any other lady, I would have taken that as a setdown, but because it was Adelaide, I was completely charmed. But not in a romantic way,” he hastened to add.
Ethel shook her head. “I’m ashamed to admit I never realized what a delightful lady Adelaide is until this Season, as well as admit I never noticed how abysmally society ladies treat her. Case in point, the other day at the beach she was the only one to agree to Priscilla’s request they build a sandcastle village and then stomp it to smithereens once it was completed.”
Ethel’s lips twitched. “By the expressions on the other ladies’ faces, it was clear they thought Adelaide had taken leave of her senses when she began lumbering about, making monster noises as she demolished castle after castle.”