Chapter Twelve #3
Agatha was waiting for them when they arrived at the bakery just as the distant clock struck three.
“I had the loveliest day,” she remarked with genuine delight as they climbed into Milbury’s carriage for the ride home.
“My cousins would like to pick me up on my next afternoon off. They want to show me more of Brighton, although we tore around the entire town today, so I’m not sure what else there is to see.
We walked by the Royal Pavilion and then they took me to a nearby tea shop.
We walked along the beach. And stopped in too many shops to count. ”
Gwendolyn smiled at her companion. “I’m glad you enjoyed your day.”
“I did, my lady. Ever so much. Did you accomplish all you needed to do?”
Gwendolyn nodded. “Oh, yes. We were unstoppable. Well, almost unstoppable. We did not have the chance to purchase bathing costumes for me.”
Milbury let out a breath. “Oh, Gwen. I’m sorry. We should have taken care of that chore right after we ordered the invitations.”
“I enjoyed walking around Brighton. We’ll put it on our list for our next trip here.”
He managed a smile. “We’ll place it first on our list of priorities.”
Gwen maintained a light banter with Agatha on the ride back, since Milbury did not appear to be talkative.
Well, she had given him a jolt with this Andrew business. She knew he was upset because even though he remained cordial, he was not at all engaged.
Then he excused himself the moment they arrived at Milbury Hill, muttering something about seeking out his sons. “I promised them an afternoon swim.”
“Yes, of course,” she replied, feeling him retreating and perhaps wishing he had never declared his affection for her. “I’m sure they are eager to see you.”
He gave a curt nod and left her to entertain herself for the remainder of the afternoon.
Agatha was now yawning, so Gwendolyn suggested she take a nap.
“My lady! And leave you on your own? Who am I to take a nap in the middle of the day?”
“You are my companion now,” Gwendolyn reminded her again. “I think I’ll take a walk along the beach and perhaps later nap before supper. Will you help me out of my gown? I’ll put on one of the light muslins. In fact, I know just the one.”
She dug into her wardrobe upon returning to her room.
“This one,” she said, pulling out a white muslin with no adornment other than a decorative band that circled her body just below her bosom. The band was embroidered with butterflies.
If that did not send a message to Milbury, then she did not know what would.
Of course, she did not know exactly what message he would receive from it.
Or what message she was trying to send him.
But she had told him about the butterflies in her stomach fluttering whenever she was around him.
He was clever. Should he not understand that she had no intention of dismissing him even if Andrew did charge back into her life?
She was no longer a wide-eyed girl and would not treat Andrew’s abandonment of her as nothing serious.
After changing, she walked down to the beach, where she knew Milbury had just gone with his sons for their afternoon swim.
She wasn’t going to interrupt them, just watch from a distance and absorb a little sunshine.
The darkening clouds over Brighton must have passed earlier over Milbury Hill and then moved on, because the sky over Milbury’s home was now a vibrant blanket of blue dotted with puffs of white clouds.
A soft breeze blew off the water, but it was not very strong and the afternoon was too hot to enjoy unless one stood in the shade or took a dip in the water, as Milbury and his sons were now doing.
She saw them the moment she reached the beach steps. But she stopped suddenly and let out a sharp breath.
“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.”
“Likely.”
Gwendolyn knew in this moment she had lost all chance with him.
He’d made it clear that he would never accept being second in her heart. By her actions, he now believed this was all he was to her…second best.
The irony of it was that she had not been thinking of Andrew at all until the moment he walked into that café.
Then, all she had wanted to do was crack the heaviest pot she could find over his head, because it was unpardonable that he would treat her so callously when all along he’d been hale and healthy.
And now, she had lost James because of her stupid hesitation.
It had all happened so fast, all she could think to do was stall for time.
Why did love have to be so complicated?
James continued to hold her hand as they walked along the beach, but she did not believe this signified anything. Perhaps he thought her clumsy and only held on to her for her own good.
But she was not going to question his reasons, because she wanted his touch. In truth, she thought she might crave it.
Would she feel the same tingles if Andrew held her hand?
James did not look at her or talk to her for the remainder of their walk. Perhaps it was for the best that whatever this was between them ended now. After all, did it not violate some matchmaker oath to fall in love with one’s client?
It certainly was not a good idea to love two men at the same time. This struck her as rather messy.
She knew the time was upon her to make a decision.
James or Andrew?
Now would be a good time for her heart to speak up.