Chapter Three #2
But what could be better than what he had now? He had never known his mother. He did not need a wife.
Bah!
He had no idea why thoughts of Lady Berry kept popping into his head. She was no tart, of course. She was not even classically beautiful.
But gad, she was pretty. A little tightly wound and buttoned up, but soft as a kitten. Few women ever stole his breath away, but she was one of them.
He’d wanted to bed her the moment he set eyes on her.
He never would, of course.
She and her family had saved many girls from that sort of life, and he had every respect for her. Her kindness and compassion were admirable, and he would always honor her for it.
No, Lady Berry was not to be touched…much as he ached to do so.
The Musket Club was lively tonight, and Gideon now turned his attention toward making certain the patrons were well attended and not being taken by cheaters.
He retired shortly before dawn, knowing by all the activity that this just might have been their most profitable night ever. He and Bonham made a habit of giving their workers a little extra on a good night.
But he also gave thought to something else, something concerning St. Brigid’s. Why should he not start setting aside a little extra for the orphanage, too?
Perhaps he would take Lady Berry up on her offer to tour the place, since he hadn’t been back there in over a decade—in truth, almost two decades—and he was now curious.
Well, all to be taken under consideration. He was too tired to think clearly just now.
Gideon had never required more than four or five hours of sleep, so he was fully refreshed by the time he awoke on Saturday morning.
The hour was just coming on nine o’clock.
Still early for everyone else who had worked the club last night.
But he had a pile of documents to get through before he set out for Duchess Square and Lady Berry’s charity event.
After ordering coffee and scones brought up to him, he spent the morning tabulating last night’s receipts. Once done, he rode with Joss to each of his other clubs to take account of their profits.
The invitation to Lady Berry’s afternoon tea was for two o’clock.
He returned to his private quarters at the Musket Club around noon, and ordered a light repast brought up because he suspected Lady Berry would serve her guests those minuscule, dainty buttered breads and tiny cakes that would leave him starving for a decent meal.
As of three months ago, he had acquired a valet.
Somewhat of a valet, he supposed. Horace was another of those lads coming out of St. Brigid’s who had found his way to Gideon.
Trying to figure out where to place him had not been easy, for the lad was not brawny enough to work at the door, nor was he particularly streetwise and able to spot a thief.
But it turned out he had the ability to spot true elegance by the cut of one’s clothes. Then and there, Gideon decided he needed a valet.
He washed up and then called Horace in to assist him in dressing. The lad bustled in with his garments freshly pressed and set them out on Gideon’s bed. “Gray for afternoon tea,” Horace said with confidence.
Gideon usually wore dark colors but did not question the lad’s advice.
“And this cravat will go perfectly with your jacket. See how it also picks up the gray steel of your eyes with its patterned swirls? And how that gray is softened with just those hints of rose.”
“Horace, I don’t give a rat’s arse. Leave my cravat alone already. Just tie it around my neck, stick a fancy pin in it, and let’s be done.”
“A bit impatient today, are we?” Horace said, laughing. “Lady Berry will melt when she sees you. You have the outward look of a gentleman, but inwardly you are a seething cauldron of seductive allure. Powerful, dangerous, and always naughty. Ladies cannot resist that combination.”
“For pity’s sake, Horace.” Gideon arched an eyebrow and groaned. “I am not going there to seduce her.”
“If you say so. Make note of what she wore and you must tell me.”
“Forget it.”
“You must. There is no one more stylish or refined than Lady Berry. Every boy at the orphanage adored her and every girl wanted to be her.”
“Fine, if it means that much to you.” He and Bonham were not total dullards to fashion. They had spent years watching the elegant set attend their teas and musicales, for they had grabbed work wherever they could, willing to take on the most menial tasks to earn a few coins.
Even when they were young lads still in the care of the orphanage, he and Bonham would think up ways to make money. They used to slip away on occasion and beg on the street with soot on their faces and tin cups in hand.
But now, they watched these pampered elite gamble, some of them quite recklessly, took a cut of everyone’s winnings for themselves as per their club rules, and held most of them in contempt for the vapid way they lived their lives.
And despite those elite having done nothing to better themselves or society, he and Bonham were the ones considered beneath contempt. They had spent years watching that privileged set walk by them with their noses in the air.
The carriages were lined up around Duchess Square when he arrived and presented his invitation to Lady Berry’s butler, Melton, who surprised him by casting him a gracious smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Knight. Lady Berry will be pleased to see you. This way, sir.”
Gideon followed the man through the parlor, noting its elegant décor, and out into the immaculately groomed garden.
A dais had been set up along the side wall that served as the elegant stone separation between her home and his.
Tables surrounded by delicate wrought iron chairs filled up most of the grassy areas.
Her roses were in bloom and just in time to show themselves off to greatest advantage, because nothing had been blooming last week.
She probably timed this annual event to present her garden to spectacular effect.
As he feared, there was nothing to eat but rabbit food. Tiered platters of sweets and savories had been placed in the center of each table. He could have devoured everything on those tiers and still been hungry.
Footmen strolled among the guests, offering champagne, coffee, or tea.
Melton announced him.
Gideon had spotted Berry amid a circle of her friends, and saw her immediately perk her ears at the mention of his name.
He watched as she excused herself and made her way toward him. But her smile slipped the moment she saw him. “Gideon? Did Mr. Knight send you in his place?”
Her eyes were as green as the grass beneath his feet and her hair was the loveliest shade of blonde, golden and almost amber because of the hints of red.
Her gown was the palest dusky rose, and had layers of some sheer fabric over the silk so that she looked like a flitting butterfly as she walked toward him.
“Knight!” Lord Berwick said from behind Berry. “Glad you could make it. Berry hoped you would.”
She frowned as her gaze darted from Gideon to Lord Berwick and back again.
Then her eyes grew wide as saucers. “Wait…you? You are Mr. Knight?”
“Yes, Gideon Knight. One and the same.”
She put a hand over her mouth and gasped. “Do you mean to say that my friends and I have been—”
He grinned.
Yes, they had been staring at him every Thursday afternoon for a month.
“Oh, Mr. Knight.” A blush shot across her cheeks and she groaned. “Do forgive us.”
Lady Berry was the most adorable woman he had ever met. Not only was she kindhearted, but pretty as a button, and those green eyes of hers far outshone any gemstones.
“Of course. Forgiven and forgotten. I was the one at fault. I ought to have introduced myself to you earlier.”
Lord Berwick regarded him curiously. “Was there a misunderstanding between you and Berry?”
“Not at all. She mistook me for hired help the other day. Nothing serious.”
“You?” Lord Berwick laughed and shook his head. “Well, it is all cleared up now. Do join us at our table. I have been meaning to talk to you about those warehouse investments of yours, and several other matters.”
Berry again looked from one to the other. “I did not realize you were acquainted.”
Lord Berwick nodded. “Several years now. Knight’s a very clever young man. Sharp mind. I invested some of your trust fund in one of his warehouse ventures about two years ago, and it has done very well. Just a small investment, Berry. You know how cautious I am.”
“You are a marvel,” Berry said, giving Lord Berwick a kiss on the cheek. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“My dear, you exaggerate. Talk later, Knight. Don’t forget. Now where is that champagne?” He excused himself and walked off in search of the footman carrying that tray.
Left momentarily alone with Gideon, Lady Berry cast him a delicate smile. “I have saved you a seat at our table. Lord Berwick was most emphatic about it. I hope you don’t mind sitting with us, Mr. Knight.”
“I would be honored.”
“Not that we shall have all that much time to talk to each other, since I will be hopping up and down, going from table to table. But you will find Lord Berwick and his wife to be delightful company. My neighbor, Lady Miranda Lawson, and her niece, Gwenys, are also seated with us. You’ll like them.
Oh, I suppose they are your neighbors now, too. ”
“I’m sure I will find them delightful.”
She cleared her throat and cast him an earnest look. “You need not feel obliged to participate in the auction or the endowment pledges. I am glad you are here and hope you enjoy the afternoon.”
He was in danger of drowning in the exquisite pools of her eyes.
She cast him another smile, excused herself, and darted off to greet some more new arrivals.
He and Lord Berwick had been doing business together for several years now, just as his lordship had indicated to Berry. They had developed a friendship over the course of those years, but he was not on friendly terms with any of Berry’s other guests.