Chapter Four
“You have agreed to be Lady Berry’s guardian?
” Bonham asked incredulously, dropping into his usual chair across from Gideon’s desk within his study at the Musket Club around noontime.
Several days had passed since Berry’s charity affair, and Gideon had gone to the Thane family’s solicitor just this morning to sign the necessary documents.
“Her trustee,” he clarified, recently returned and now filing the copies he had been given into a secure drawer.
“I am to be the successor trustee, that’s all.
She isn’t an infant and does not need me to be her nanny.
However, if Hawthorne or some other fortune hunter starts sniffing around her, rest assured, I will make them regret it. ”
Bonham nodded. “I have to give it to Berwick. He is an excellent judge of character. I’ll wager he’s been following your progress for years, perhaps as far back as when we were living at the orphanage. You were hard to overlook.”
Gideon snorted.
“I did not think he would look outside his elite circle for a suitable replacement, but I am glad to be proven wrong. You are the best man for the task. I heartily approve Lord Berwick’s choice.”
“That remains to be seen, doesn’t it?” Gideon said with a shrug. “But I will give it my all. Lady Berry deserves no less from me.”
“By the way, she knocked on your front door again this morning.”
“She did?” Gideon looked up from the pile of papers on his desk that he needed to review before the end of the day. “Why?”
“She brought me some fresh scones and coffee.”
“Gad, she is such a little kitten.” Gideon could not suppress his smile. “Why in blazes did she do that?”
Bonham shrugged. “She noticed I was alone in that big house, guarding it all by myself, not a cook or other servant in sight. She was concerned you had abandoned me there with nothing to eat.”
“Dear heaven, is this girl for real?” Gideon muttered.
“She is quite the do-gooder,” Bonham said with a chuckle. “I told her the glass doors would be going in tomorrow. That’s the last of the structural work to be done. Next is painting and decorating. Have you done anything about that?”
Gideon leaned back in his chair and groaned. “No.”
“I thought not. You ought to ask for Lady Berry’s help.
I know she wants to give it, and I think she is very good at this sort of thing.
She understands elegance. That is the way to show up those fancy nobs.
It is not about shoving your wealth in their faces.
They will only mock you for it. No, you need to be subtle and show them that an orphan out of St. Brigid’s can match them in refinement. ”
“Is this your idea or Lady Berry’s?”
“She may have mentioned it to me over coffee.”
Gideon was surprised. “So, the two of you conversed? Does she no longer think you are hard of hearing?”
“Oh, she still thinks I am deaf as a post,” Bonham said, once more chuckling.
“Honestly, Gideon. She’s just…so adorably gullible.
I know I will have to tell her sometime soon, or else I will truly go deaf.
My ears are still ringing from this morning’s conversation because she was shouting her opinions and ideas into them the entire time I showed her around the house. ”
Gideon’s eyes widened in surprise. “You gave her a tour of my house?”
“Yes, why not? She’s been there many times. Have you forgotten that she and the Duchess of Durham were good friends? To be honest, she offered some very helpful advice.” Bonham winced. “Of course, she shouted all of it into my ears.”
Gideon gave a hearty burst of laughter. “She is going to hate us when we tell her the truth.”
“I’ll confess it, if you want me to.”
“No, not yet. I’ll tell her myself in my own good time.”
“Just do it before my ears start bleeding.”
He shook his head and laughed again. “All right, but you must admit it is fun. Harmless fun. Since I am encouraging this prank, I’ll shoulder responsibility for the consequences.”
“You had better.” Bonham shrugged. “But I’m sure she’ll forgive you. She has a heart of gold, doesn’t she?”
“Yes.”
Which was what worried Gideon. She was a lamb who needed protecting from all the wolves out there. It could be said that he was the most dangerous of all. Not merely a wolf but a fearsome black dragon, as was now imprinted on his skin.
He was dangerous, but Berry should never fear him.
She was his to protect.
And protect her he would.
The more serious concern was that Lord Berwick getting too old to look after her would have those ton vultures sensing it and starting to circle her.
Mrs. Garland was already of no use, merely a warm body residing with Berry for the sake of respectability. It seemed the roles had been reversed for months now, Berry assuming the task of caring for her.
“I think I will invite Lady Berry and Lord Berwick to dine with me at the Denby Arms this evening. I know Berwick wants to involve me as soon as possible in matters concerning the orphanage fund. I can ask Lady Berry’s opinion on decorating at that time.”
“What about Jasmine? Or Chloe? You haven’t gone near them since meeting Lady Berry. Weren’t they supposed to attend some demimonde salon with you?”
“Let Pudge escort them. Or let him guard my Duchess Square property tonight, and you take the ladies to that party. Test your diction on the upper-class nobs who will be there.”
“Not a bad idea. I think it’s time I tried my hand at passing as a gentleman. Fine. I’ll escort them. I’ll need proper evening attire.”
Gideon motioned toward his bedchamber. “Take whatever you need from my wardrobe. We are about the same size and build. Horace will help you.”
“The ladies are not going to be happy. They want you.”
“I never made Jasmine or Chloe any promises. They’ll get the message and move on.”
Bonham seemed surprised. “You are not ever going to consort with them again, are you? Has Lady Berry already got you so wrapped up?”
“No one controls me, as you well know.”
“That’s right, barricades always up. Weapons always at the ready.” Bonham rose to march to his bedchamber. “But have a care. The lass can be quite disarming.”
As it turned out, Lady Berry and Lord Berwick were both available on such short notice. Gideon was grateful for it, for they were both popular among their elite circles and probably received two or three invitations in a single afternoon.
As for him, none of their ilk would ever give him the time of day.
Not that he cared. He did not require their friendship, but gladly took a cut of their gambling winnings.
That evening, he left Joss in charge of the Musket Club, and ordered his carriage to be brought around to the club’s front door.
He had extended his invitation to Lady Berwick as well as her husband, but Lord Berwick immediately responded by conveying his regrets that it would only be him dining. No doubt his wife understood this was to be a business meeting and did not wish to interfere.
He picked up Lord Berwick and then had his driver take them to Duchess Square to pick up Berry. He gave his neighboring property only a quick perusal as they reached the pretty square of homes. He would return early tomorrow morning to supervise the installation of the glass doors to his ballroom.
Perhaps it was a foolish expense, for no one in the Upper Crust would ever attend if he held a ball. But none of them could ever say his ballroom was inadequate, even if they refused to set foot in it.
He climbed down from his carriage, noting the graceful arch of wisteria over the doorway as he strode up Berry’s front walk. The blooms ought to have faded by now, for everyone knew they were at their best in May, but they looked bright as ever by June’s early evening light.
Her trusted butler opened the door to him. “Welcome, Mr. Knight.”
“Good evening, Melton. Is Lady Berry ready?”
“I shall see.” The man stepped aside to allow him in.
Berry had been in the parlor and now walked out with a big, welcoming smile on her face. She wore a silk gown the color of apricots, the fabric seeming to hug her body and worship it. He’d never seen fabric drape on a woman with such perfection.
Of course, when he looked at a woman it was usually to undress her with his gaze. But still, perfection was perfection.
And Berry was perfect.
“Are you ready?” He held out his arm to escort her to his carriage.
“I have been longing to try the duck cassoulet at the Denby Arms. I hear it is their specialty.”
“Yes, and it is very good,” Gideon remarked, for he often ate out and the Denby Arms was one of his favorite haunts. Indeed, it was one of the finest and most popular establishments in all of London catering to the elite.
He liked the place so much, he had acquired a controlling interest in it about a year ago.
Of course, this was not public knowledge, and he preferred to keep it that way.
Berry scampered into his carriage and took a seat beside Lord Berwick.
Gideon had the opposing seat bench to himself, a necessity because he was a big man and his shoulders were broad.
It did not take them long to arrive at their destination, even though the London streets were bustling at this hour.
The dining establishment was already filling up, as it often did no matter the time of day, but was particularly busy in the evening hours. The ma?tre d’ came running over to him. “Good evening, Mr. Knight. Your table is ready, sir. Right this way.”
He led them to a private alcove that afforded them some separation from the other tables. This particular spot was always reserved for him and would only be given out to others if the staff knew he would not be in attendance.
Gideon especially liked this table because it allowed him to see the entire room.
Several large chandeliers spread ample candlelight and provided him with an excellent view of all that was going on.
However, no one could see into the alcove without actually poking their head in.
Nor could the diners occupying the nearby tables hear their conversation.