Page 76 of A Match Made On Duchess Square

“If you are averse to the plan,” he continued, studying her intently, “then it is not too late to scrap it. Fuller can take us home right now.”

She glanced out the window, admiring the lovely view. How odd that she should find herself in such a place with Milbury. “No, we’ve come this far. I am not going to back down now.”

He leaned a shoulder against the window frame. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“There are risks, Gwen. In fact, I would be surprised if Clement showed up at the café tonight. It is very likely he’ll play coy and not make his presence known to us.”

“But he might. Even if he does not show his face, he could follow us to the inn. Will you tell Mr. Marchand where we are staying?”

“Absolutely not. That is too indiscreet. Nor is it necessary, because I’m certain he’s already sent word to Clement about you. It is also quite possible your betrothed has been shadowing you since yesterday.”

“Oh. Do you really think so?” She cleared her throat. “What will he think of our staying at this inn together?”

“Frankly, I don’t care. He’s the one who owes you the explanations, not the other way around.”

“Perhaps our staying here isn’t the brightest idea.”

“Do you wish to leave?”

“I think you are eager to drop this matter entirely, but I wish to draw him out,” she said with conviction. “We’re so close now. I feel it in my bones.”

“Then I suggest we keep to the plan.”

She cast him a grateful smile. “James, thank you for believing in me. You seemed so angry and dismissive at first, I thought I would have to do this on my own.”

“I was never going to let you confront him alone, Gwen.” He grunted. “What don’t you get about this? You are mine to protect. I was angry and frustrated. I suppose I still am a good bit of both. But Fiona kicked sense into me. Whether I believed you or not, I had to see this through with you to the end.”

Her smile faltered. “You thought I was lying to you?”

James shook his head. “No, never that. I thought you were lying to yourself. That you were so desperate to find Clement that you mistook some other man for him. In truth, until Marchand admitted this morning that your betrothed had been at the café, I was certain you were wrong about what you had seen.”

Gwendolyn sighed. “Until that very moment, I was in doubt, too. I worried that I had gone mad. I don’t blame you for refusing to believe me.”

“No, Gwen. I behaved like an unmitigated boor and needed to apologize to you. I do so humbly once again.”

She accepted his apology, although she did not feel it was merited. Andrew was the boor, not James.

They returned to his carriage to take in a few more sights in the hours remaining until their return to the café. Brighton was a lively place, although Gwendolyn was too distracted by thoughts of what might happen tonight to pay much attention even to the Royal Pavilion, which was a thing of wonder.

It was early evening by the time they returned to the inn. Milbury helped her down from the carriage, and then turned to Fuller. “You had better return to Milbury Hill before the sun goes down. Hand the parcel of invitations and Lady Gwendolyn’s purchases to Mrs. Harting for safekeeping.”

“Aye, m’lord. Shall I return here after dropping them off?”

“No, come back for us tomorrow morning.”

Gwendolyn wished she had not been standing there to hear the exchange, for it sounded awful to her ears. Fuller would now imagine all sorts of scandalous activities were to take place between them overnight. Would this not get back to everyone on the Milbury Hill staff?

Well, she was not about to change her plans now.

James ordered tea for them, and they sat together sipping and watching the sun sink over the water. As the eight o’clock hour approached, James mentioned that he had arranged for a hackney to take them from the inn to the café.

“Oh? When did you have time to arrange that?”

“I sent word yesterday, reserving the man on the chance we would need him.”

Gwendolyn thought that was quite efficient of him, since as it turned out, they did need him.