Chapter Thirteen #2
“I know.” He and Bonham had attempted to purchase shares in the establishment and been rebuffed. The owner was an officious prig whose goal was to climb the social ladder. He did not want to be associated with orphans who also ran gaming hells. Gideon knew he would not be welcome there.
Berry studied him, trying to read his expression. “Oh, do not tell me. You own it, too.”
“Quite the opposite. Bonham and I had hoped to invest in the Claremont, but the owner took an immediate dislike to us. We would be tossed out if ever we sought to dine there.”
“Oh, that is outrageous,” Berry said, sounding outraged and wounded on his behalf.
He shrugged. “I can understand his being wary of our gaming establishments, but it was the fact we were orphans that had him looking down upon us as though we were filth.”
“I am so sorry, Gideon.”
His heart gave a tug, for Berry spoke with her typical gentleness.
“Not your fault. The problem is, I cannot be there tonight to protect you should Hawthorne attempt to approach you. I suppose I could remain across the street while you dine inside.”
“That is ridiculous.” She shook her head.
“I will be safe enough in Lord Berwick’s care.
And you have your own affairs to look after.
I’ve taken you away from your work enough today.
It is just a supper party. Lord Berwick will see me to my door.
Melton and my footmen will stand guard at my home.
I shall be fine, and I doubt Lord Hawthorne will attempt to cause a scene at one of London’s finest dining establishments, or think to break into my home again tonight.
Even a fool like him will know to wait a few days until we are not so watchful. ”
Gideon still did not like it. “I wish you were going anywhere other than the Claremont.”
“Lord Folger is hardly going to change his plans at this late hour. As for me, I shall never dine there again… Not until you own it.”
He laughed. “That may be a while yet. The man is a pompous goat, but he knows how to run a business.”
“So do you.” She sighed, and her shoulders sagged. “I wish I did. I wouldn’t be walking around in circles about my doll idea.”
He nodded. “I am no expert in selling dolls, either. We’ll both be stumbling around blind in this venture.”
“At least you understand the pitfalls. I would walk right into them.”
“Surely Lord Berwick has taught you plenty about investing.”
“Yes, I suppose. Have you ever made mistakes in your business ventures?”
“Other than being cut off at the knees by the Claremont’s owner?
” He rolled his eyes. “Oh, yes. Fortunately, Bonham and I have only been burned once or twice, and those were small losses in our early days that we were able to absorb even back then. But the lessons were well learned and never to be forgotten.”
They set aside their conversation as the carriage drew up in front of Berry’s home. Gideon assisted Berry and her maid down.
Melton opened the door as soon as they started up the walk. “All’s well, Mr. Knight,” he reported. “I’ve had Somers and Wilbury patrolling the grounds since this morning.”
Gideon nodded in approval. “Then I’ll take a few minutes to see what is going on in my home before returning here.”
Berry took light hold of his arm. “You needn’t come back.
I am going upstairs to take a nap, and then I’ll be readying myself for tonight’s party.
You needn’t fret about me. I’ll be all right for these next few hours.
Truly. But I don’t mind waiting up for you upon my return.
As I said, I should be back around midnight.
Melton knows to let you in whenever you arrive.
Take a turn about the house to satisfy yourself that I am safe.
No one will object should you decide to patrol Duchess Square throughout the wee hours until dawn.
But I think this evening will pass uneventfully. ”
“I hope so,” he muttered. “Very well, I’ll see you at midnight.”
“Mr. Knight?” she called to him as he turned to leave. “Thank you for everything. And for every kind word you’ve said to me.” She cast him another of her uniquely Berry smiles that seemed to light up his heart.
She was thanking him because he had told her that he loved her.
He shouldn’t have told her. It was too soon. Too hopeless right now.
Perhaps things would change after Lord Stanhope’s ball. But he doubted the ton would accept him so readily. It would take something more than mere attendance at one ball.
It wasn’t even a Christmas ball. Those were special, and it was said that magic happened at Christmas balls.
He thought of Berry and her Snowball Ball. Gad, what a Berry thing to name it. She was such a kitten. He’d tear Hawthorne apart limb from limb if he ever hurt her.
He stopped by his house and found Bonham, Suzanna, and Gwendolyn up in what was to be his bedroom suite, staring into the commode in his dressing room. “What are you doing?”
“Studying your drainage,” Suzanna responded, actually sounding excited about it. Odd girl.
“My drainage?”
Bonham glanced up and grinned. “Isn’t Suzanna a marvel?”
Gideon laughed. “Yes, and since you seem rapt with this next project, I’ll take care of the Musket Club tonight.”
He should have insisted on Bonham taking over that duty, but how could he pull his friend away now? Bonham had been even more excited about Gideon’s home purchase than he was. Of course, owning this house meant everything to Gideon. But it mattered to his best friend, too.
Perhaps Bonham was building up his own confidence to take the leap and purchase a home for himself.
He had to be thinking about it quite seriously, especially now that he was falling in love with Suzanna.
And meanwhile, he and Suzanna were wreaking havoc with the guts of Gideon’s home with their new ideas.
Well, he’d let them have at it. Suzanna especially had a talent for this sort of thing.
“I’m coming back around midnight. I promised to look in on Berry when she returned from her dinner party,” Gideon said.
Gwendolyn looked up at him. “Do not worry about her. Miranda and I have assigned two footmen each to patrol our grounds and Duchess Square. Berry’s footmen will do the same.
She will be safe with us. And the footmen know to grab that hired carriage if it shows up again.
They’ll hold its passengers until you arrive. ”
This ought to have pleased Gideon, but he strode out worried he was overlooking something important.
What was he missing?