Gwendolyn winced. “It was badly done of me to release the cat from the bag about your secret. In my defense, though, I was unaware matchmaking was such a hush-hush occupation.”
Mrs. Parker stopped waving her fan. “Mothers, of course, know how to find us matchmakers, dear, but society gentlemen have always been kept in the dark about the matter.”
“Why would keeping gentlemen in the dark be a preference?”
“Not allowing gentlemen to know there are matchmakers roaming about society allows us to use subtle manipulation to get clients’ daughters the best possible gentlemen to the altar without those gentlemen realizing they’ve been manipulated.”
Gwendolyn frowned. “I would think gentlemen would be avoiding you now, not seeking you out.”
“That’s what I thought, until I began receiving all those calling cards.” Mrs. Parker’s cheeks began to flush, which left her plying her fan again. “If I’d have known gentlemen would come courting me once they learned I’m a matchmaker, I’d have publicly declared my position years ago.” She smiled. “I’m now going to be able to interview gentlemen here, in the comfort of my cottage, quite like a queen granting favors as she lounges on her throne.”
Gwendolyn folded a towel into her bag, stilling when an interesting thought sprang to mind. “It seems to me you no longer have need of an assistant matchmaker, which means I can either remove myself from Newport or resume the position you originally hired me for—that being paid companion.”
“You are tenacious, I’ll give you that, but I have no intention of relieving you of your matchmaking duties.”
“But the reason behind turning me into an assistant matchmaker was because you lacked mobility. Clearly, you won’t need to be mobile to interview gentlemen here at Raven’s Roost.”
“But not every gentleman has paid a call on me, which is why we’re preparing to head out to Bailey’s Beach to speak with Mr. Clarence Higgenson. I’ve heard that gentleman has been asking questions about Miss Hannah Howe.”
Gwendolyn stuffed another towel into the bag. “I was wondering if you’d forgotten you were representing Hannah, what with how often you’ve been speaking about Elizabeth Ellsworth this morning.”
“Elizabeth is currently the darling of the Season, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to devote attention to Hannah, especially with Clarence Higgenson showing interest in her. He’s the heir to the Higgenson shipping empire, is quite handsome, and would be a wonderful catch for Hannah—even though he’s rumored to be fond of a questionable woman by the name of Mrs. Lanier. She traveled in society until she had the audacity to divorce Martin Lanier a few years ago because, well, he was a disreputable sort who drank to excess.”
“Clarence would not be a wonderful catch for Hannah if he’s in love with another woman and is only considering marrying an acceptable society lady to appease his family.”
“I doubt that’s why he’s showing an interest in Hannah. She’s a delightful young lady. Any gentleman would be fortunate to have her as a wife.”
“But if Clarence is in love with this Mrs. Lanier, Hannah won’t be fortunate in the least if she marries him. And before you insist he’s not in love with Mrs. Lanier, if society is aware he spends time in her company, odds are he is in love with her and is merely trying to placate his family by considering other options. That circumstance is something I understand because my grandparents tried to coerce my father into abandoning his interest in my mother, who was not considered society-worthy, and turning that interest on an acceptable young lady, an option my father refused to entertain.”
Mrs. Parker sat forward on the chaise. “Am I to understand your father was society?”
“Oh dear.” Gwendolyn muttered before she suddenly found it difficult to resist a smile when she realized she’d been given an unexpected opportunity presented to her in the form of an unintentional slip, one that could result in her being released from a commitment she was ill-equipped to complete with any success, no matter that Mrs. Parker believed differently. “I must beg your pardon in advance for what I now feel compelled to disclose, even though doing so will most assuredly have you relieving me of my post.”
“I’m not certain you should look so cheerful about the matter.”
Gwendolyn pressed her lips together, earning her a rolling of the eyes from Mrs. Parker before her employer patted a spot beside her.
“You might as well make yourself comfortable as you go about disclosing everything. Believe me, I’m all ears.”
Abandoning her bag, Gwendolyn settled herself beside Mrs. Parker, taking ten minutes to explain the particulars of her family, during which time Mrs. Parker’s eyes widened, narrowed, widened again, then narrowed as Gwendolyn finished her tale.
“If I’m understanding correctly, you’re an heiress?” was Mrs. Parker’s first response.
“I thought you’d be more concerned that I’m a member of the Scandalous Brinleys.”
Mrs. Parker pursed her lips. “That is disturbing, as is the idea your father fell in love with an Irish woman, but I’m more curious to learn why you’d take up a paid position when you have no need to earn a living.”
“I told you, I needed a bit of a respite from my cousin.”
“But you said she was paying you to be her companion as well.”
“Catriona knows how difficult she can be. Paying me a salary allowed her to alleviate the guilt she felt when she behaved poorly, and it allowed me an opportunity to make my own way in the world, never having to touch the trust my father has set aside for me. Given that my cousin enjoyed lavishing bonuses on me, as well as picking up the tab when we visited the House of Worth in Paris, I was able to live a very comfortable life without relying on my father’s support to do so.”
“But young ladies from wealthy families always rely on their fathers to support them.”
“I’ve always been a little different.”
Mrs. Parker settled back against the chaise. “I won’t argue with you there, because there’s little doubt you enjoy embracing a most unconventional attitude.”
“Indeed, which is why it wasn’t out of character for me to accept your offer of employment. With that said, this is where I assume we part ways.”
An airy wave of a hand was Mrs. Parker’s first reply to that. “You should assume nothing of the sort. I’m not getting rid of you. In fact, now that I think about it, I should have immediately realized you’re from quality, albeit somewhat tarnished quality. Your manners are impeccable, except when you speak your mind, and you have an air of confidence one doesn’t usually see in companions. That confidence will surely come in handy as we travel through the Season, procuring spectacular matches for our two ladies.”
Disappointment was swift. “But if word gets out I’m one of the Scandalous Brinleys, I’ll undoubtedly be snubbed more than I already am, which won’t help you in the least. It truly will be in your best interest to fire me. No one will blink an eye about that, not after what happened last night.”
“Another impressive attempt to wiggle out of your commitment, but I doubt anyone will learn about your family. As I mentioned, you’ve become a Newport sensation. We’re going to capitalize on that, especially since there are a few gentlemen who haven’t dropped off their calling cards. Besides Clarence Higgenson, Walter Townsend has not come to call. I have it on good authority he’s expected at Bailey’s Beach today as well, which suggests our seaside excursion will be very productive.”