Page 74 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

Gwendolyn’s entire body began to shake.

Andrew had been here and she had seen him. Not a mistake.

Milbury discreetly placed a hand to the small of her back, caressing along her spine with his thumb as warning for her not to fall apart. She tried her hardest to remain calm while all she wanted to do was burst into sobs. Sobs of rage, anger, and frustration rather than sorrow.

Truly, if Andrew stood before her right now, she would crack something heavy over his head.

James now had his full palm flat against her spine, no doubt worried she was going to erupt and mess up his interrogation.

Marchand would have noticed her struggles had he not been distressed, too. “My lady, he isn’t here just now. And I truly do not know where he resides. It is not something he ever deigned to tell me. Nor do I dare ask too many questions of him.”

“When do you expect him here next?” Gwendolyn asked.

He glanced around nervously. “Possibly tonight. You might find him here this evening just before closing time. But I cannot say for certain. Now, you must excuse me because there is a lot of work still to do and we are about to open.”

He scurried back into the kitchen to resume his preparation for the day’s influx of patrons.

Milbury led her out into the morning light. “Blessed saints,” he muttered, and released a long breath. “It was him all along.”

Gwendolyn withdrew a handkerchief from her reticule to dab at the tears on her cheeks. “I knew it was, but it is still shocking to have it confirmed. James…he’s alive. It delights me and infuriates me. I mean, really infuriates me. What sort of toad does this to the woman he is supposed to love? Look at me, I am shaking like a leaf.”

He took hold of her hands and gave them a light squeeze to comfort her. “This is a lot for you to take in.”

“I must see him. Will you bring me back here at closing time? How late do you think Marchand’s establishment stays open?”

He placed an arm around her to lead her away from the café. “It won’t close before ten o’clock this evening. That’ll make it too late for us to ride back to Milbury Hill tonight. The roads will be littered with highwaymen once it turns dark.”

“Then what are we to do? I won’t turn back now. But where can I stay once I’ve seen Andrew? Will any of the better hotels accept a single woman on her own? I do not even have an overnight bag with me. And what if Andrew wishes to return with me? To talk, of course. Only talk. That’s all we would do. But we would need a quiet place to converse, where no one will care or ask questions if he walks in with me.”

He released another long breath. “You’re not doing this alone. I’ll make arrangements for us at an out-of-the-way inn where no one will gossip if we are recognized.”

“Is there any such place in Brighton?”

“Oh yes,” he said with a wry arch of his eyebrow. “Several. These inns are known as love nests, and you’ll find them everywhere throughout England. Gentlemen, especially those in arranged marriages, need someplace safe and private when seeking liaisons outside the bonds of marriage.”

“Even here in Brighton?”

He laughed. “There is no town more infamous. One can hardly ignore the existence of the Royal Pavilion, probably the most indiscreet love nest in all of England.”

“Oh, true. Did you ever…um, indulge?”

“Me? Not after I met Jessica,” he said with finality. “No matter how polite a polish one puts on these liaisons, they are still a violation of one’s wedding vows.”

“And yours was a love marriage,” Gwendolyn said with a nod.

“It was a good marriage and I did not stray, although I was not above getting entangled in such arrangements when I was a young and foolish bachelor. It is shocking how many ladies were willing. There’s no temptation in it for me now. These liaisons are just sad compromises.”

“I see.” But Gwendolyn’s heart beat a little faster because she and Milbury would be on their own tonight.

She had never spent an evening alone with a man before. It was for a good cause, but she still felt…a bit naughty. And excited, if she were to be honest with herself.

Would he obtain separate quarters for himself? Or were they to share? She was afraid to ask.

“These out-of-the-way inns are not respectable,” he warned.

“I understand.”

“The more elegant hotels are out of the question.”