Page 4 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

“That’s Milbury Hill,” young Robert confirmed.

Gwendolyn nodded. “This is where you are most comfortable, and I have heard not only Fiona but you describe it in loving detail. Magnificent view of the water. Close to Brighton and all the entertainments it offers. Good neighbors who provide pleasant company, including our mutual dear friend, Fiona. Her home, Shoreham Manor, abuts your property, does it not?”

He nodded to acknowledge the truth of these statements.

“Milbury Hill is where you can be yourself, where you feel most relaxed. It has become clear to me that you are much more on edge when in London, always on your guard, and I think this is why you are too quick to dismiss some of the lovely marriage prospects I have put forward.”

Perhaps. But the thought of all those people at Milbury Hill?

That home was a sanctuary for him and his boys. Summers there were especially delightful, for the air was warm and sweet, and there was always a cooling breeze in the afternoons, even on the hottest days.

“How can you feel at ease here in this bustling city when all of the ton is watching your every step?” she persisted. “Perhaps this is why you feel so out of sorts with these ladies. You cannot sneeze without it being reported to the gossip rags.”

He had not considered this, but what if Gwendolyn were right?

Her eyes took on an attractive sparkle as she continued. “Since being introduced to these ladies one at a time has not worked out well…”

“That is an understatement,” James muttered.

His boys were quick to agree with him.

Jordan nodded. “Utter failure.”

“Complete disaster,” Robert chimed in.

He ought to have been insulted by how quickly they concurred, but he merely chuckled.

Gwendolyn smiled at his sons before turning back to him. “I propose we make up a new list of bride prospects, and then you shall invite them and their families to Milbury Hill.”

James swallowed hard. “All at once?”

“Yes. I think it will relieve much of the strain on you, and the ladies, too. You needn’t single anyone out, just mingle at your leisure. Play cards with one. Dance with another. Take a walk with a third. Chat over tea with a fourth. And—”

He groaned. “How many do you plan on inviting?”

“No more than four, I think. You do not appear capable of managing more.”

In truth, he was not capable of managing any. But to resist Gwendolyn’s idea would be cowardly on his part.

After all, he was a widower above the age of forty and had a dash of silver at his temples. Of course, he was no longer as rakishly handsome as he had been in his younger days. However, he still retained some of his good looks.

After years of a happy marriage, he had no wish to return to his youthfully indulgent ways. He was a responsible father now and had two boys to care for and guide into adulthood. Jordan was already looking at the ladies with a roguish eye.

Gad, was his son ogling Gwendolyn as he sipped his lemonade?

He cast the lad a stern look to say, I know what you are doing, and cut it out.

Jordan would be impossible to manage if he saw his father doing the same. Fortunately, James knew better than to be caught leering at respectable ladies such as Gwendolyn. Although his heart did beat a little faster every time she pursed her lips in that schoolmistress way, as though she were about to punish the naughty schoolboy.

Yes, that little pucker got his heart racing.

Then there was also the delightful way she inhaled deep breaths whenever she was peeved with him, which seemed to be a constant occurrence because he was so quickly shooting down her every attempted match.

But he’d only begun to notice these little things that were attractive about her, so did it really count?

She was oblivious to his wayward thoughts as she continued. “Yes, this ought to work out much better than having you escort these ladies around London one at a time. This was my mistake and explains why you have cut each of them off so quickly. You were afraid to hurt their feelings if a courtship progressed too far, so you ended every potential match before giving your feelings a chance to mature. Lady Felicity, having lasted the longest, had her hopes raised, and then you dashed them.”

“I never escorted her to a single ton affair. All I did was pay her three short visits,” James grumbled, “and we were always among company.”