Chapter Fourteen
Berry chose to wear a gown of pale-silver silk that shimmered like icicles after a winter’s storm.
Of course, this was the summertime and it would be months yet before the weather turned cold.
She chose a single strand of pearls to place around her neck and another strand that Harriet threaded through her hair.
To complete her attire, she donned kid leather slippers and lace gloves in the same silvery shade as her gown.
Harriet smiled at the end result. “You look beautiful, Lady Berry. I’m sorry Mr. Knight is not here to see you. I think he likes you. I’m sure he would fall in love with you if he caught a look at you now.”
Berry blushed. Gideon had told her that he loved her. It was frightening and wonderful.
And also happening too quickly.
He was wise to express caution, although he really could have kissed her. Where was the harm in that? A kiss was not a commitment to marriage.
And marriage was the problem, wasn’t it? They had to think this through quite carefully because of the damage it might do to her charity efforts for the orphanage.
Mrs. Bolton knocked at her door. “Lord Berwick is here, m’lady.”
Berry shook out of her thoughts. “Oh, I’ll be right down.” She gave herself a final inspection in the mirror, and then stood at attention while Harriet took a moment to fix the stylish egret feather in her hair before she hurried downstairs.
“Good evening, Lord Berwick.”
He cast her a weary smile. “Don’t you look lovely, my dear?”
“What’s wrong?” He appeared worn out and was unusually quiet as he escorted her to his carriage.
“Lady Berwick slipped on the stairs and sprained her ankle as we were about to leave,” he said in anguish.
“That’s why I am a little late in picking you up.
She’s at home, soaking her foot in warm water, as we speak.
I wanted to send our regrets to Lord Folger, but she put up such a fuss and would not hear of it. ”
“Oh, poor thing.” Berry climbed into his carriage. “Are you certain it is only a sprain?”
“Yes, that much is confirmed. Our housekeeper has some medical knowledge and told me there was no break. But it was such an awkward twist and gave us quite a scare. I am assured she will be fine in a few days. Still, I hate to leave her in distress.”
“You have a capable housekeeper in Mrs. Cummings, and a loyal staff who will tend to Lady Berwick. She is right about our not begging out of the dinner party. Lord Folger only invited twenty of his friends, so losing the three of us would be noticed.”
Lord Berwick settled across from her. “That is what my wife said.”
“And she is right,” Berry insisted. “You will simply have to suffer with my company this evening.”
He laughed. “You are always a joy. Tell me, what did you do today?”
Berry told him about the dance lessons and her trip to the warehouse with Gideon.
“You are even accompanying him to warehouses?”
“It is more that I am bringing him along. He seems comfortable leaving the entire decoration of his home to me.”
“Well, you do have excellent taste.”
“He seems to think so,” she said with a satisfied smile. “But it is his home and he must have complete input, don’t you think? He also wanted to stay close to me because of Lord Hawthorne.”
She told Lord Berwick about her broken window latch and the hired carriage that had been lurking near Duchess Square.
“Oh, my dear. This is quite troubling. Something must be done at once.”
“Mr. Knight has already arranged for the best Bow Street Runners in London to guard me. He insists on bearing the costs, but I will make him see reason. At the very least, I ought to pay half, should I not?”
“He can well afford the full expense.”
“As I am coming to realize, for he did not even blink an eye when Mr. Dunning gave him the price for the malachite stone. But about these Runners—they will not be available to start for another day.” She then told him about the precautions her friends were taking on her behalf in the meanwhile.
“And Melton has my staff on alert, as well.”
“Good.” He pursed his lips. “You could come and stay with us.”
“Mr. Knight suggested it, but I do not like the idea of bringing trouble to your door, especially now that Lady Berwick is indisposed. Anyway, Mr. Knight said he would stop by around midnight to make certain I am safely returned home from Lord Folger’s party.
Oh, it sounds scandalous, doesn’t it? But he intends nothing improper.
He is genuinely concerned about what Hawthorne might do.
It curdles my stomach to think he might have gotten into my bedchamber while I was sleeping and completely unaware. ”
Lord Berwick nodded. “We must remain vigilant until that bounder comes to his senses and gives up on you.”
“But this morning’s incident proves he hasn’t changed his mind. I do not think I will sleep at all tonight. Fortunately, it is only for one night. The Bow Street Runners will be on the job by tomorrow and I will be able to sleep without worry, at least for the next few nights.”
“Are you certain they cannot begin guarding you tonight?”
“They were very clear about their prior commitments when Mr. Knight asked this very question. It instills confidence to know they are London’s best and constantly in demand.
Anyway, having them around is merely a temporary fix.
It is Lord Hawthorne who needs to be diverted from his scheme, and we need to figure out how to do it. ”
“Obviously, he needs to be put in the direction of other heiresses,” he said. “There are some who would accept him, daughters of wealthy merchants who are willing to trade their fortune for acceptance among the ton.”
“Yes, and he is in line to eventually become the Marquess of Dundalk. That ought to be an attractive lure. Plenty of families would consider him an excellent catch for their daughters for this reason alone. I don’t understand why he is so determined to have me.”
“Well, the problem is that Hawthorne is a much-debauched wastrel and may not outlive the current marquess. This is why several wealthy tradesmen have already balked at considering him worthwhile. They would prefer to toss money at a man who already has a title. And I’ve heard the current marquess is about to remarry.
It is merely gossip, but it would explain Hawthorne’s sudden desperation.
The marquess’s bride is rumored to be young enough to give him sons. ”
“Oh, I see. Drat. This will lower Hawthorne’s desirability even further,” Berry muttered. “Well, good for the marquess. The world will be better off if Hawthorne never inherits the title.”
“But this is why he is so determined to have you. He has his eye not only on your fortune but your family’s dukedom. Your granduncle will not live forever, and you are quite possibly next in line to inherit.”
Berry snorted. “I’m sure there are a few wastrel cousins who come before me.”
“True, assuming they are still alive. No one’s heard from them in years.”
“I hope they are alive and have ten children each. That will show Hawthorne,” she said with a huff.
“I understand from your granduncle’s solicitors that they are searching for two possible heirs now. We’ll see what they turn up. In the meanwhile, you seem to be enjoying Mr. Knight’s company. Tell me a little more about your day with him.”
She stared down at her hands. “There is not much else to tell. He was attentive to me, but only because Hawthorne is such an evil little clot and will not leave me alone.”
Lord Berwick frowned. “Was Mr. Knight too attentive? Did he also make a nuisance of himself?”
“Not at all.” She glanced up at him. “He was perfectly charming and delightful, and no more attentive to me than to any of the other ladies. Well, of course he had to pay closer attention to me, because I am the one in danger, and did you not appoint him to protect me? He takes his duty quite seriously.”
“Berry, do be careful. This man knows his way around women. I did not think he would ever dare try anything with you.”
She looked up, startled. “He wouldn’t. And he won’t ever. You are right to trust his honor. He is one of the finest men I have ever met. I will always be safe with him. I only wish others understood how good a man he truly is.”
“You think he is good?”
“Isn’t he? You chose him as your successor because of his fine qualities. Will you deny that he is honorable? Trustworthy. Loyal. And smart, too. What is wrong with my agreeing with your opinion of him?”
“Oh, my dear. The difference is that you are in danger of falling in love with him. But you must temper that feeling at once. Nothing can come of it but disgrace for you. I like the man and respect his abilities. However, I will never agree to your marrying him. He came to St. Brigid’s as a child wandering the streets.
Who is his family? We do not know his background. ”
“Nor does he, but he’s made something of himself despite all his disadvantages,” Berry pointed out.
“He runs gaming hells.”
“And yet you trust him with my welfare.”
“It is not the same thing. One is a business matter. The other is a matter of the heart.”
She sank back against the fine leather seat bench, feeling the weight of Society’s rules upon her shoulders. “You needn’t worry. He hasn’t asked me to marry him, nor will he ever. And I am not ignorant of the impediments to a union with him. He has taken pains to point them out to me.”
Lord Berwick gasped. “You’ve already had this conversation with him? Tell me, my dear child, are you in love with him?”
They arrived at the Claremont Inn just in time for her to avoid answering the question.
Lord Berwick was obviously concerned, and Berry knew their conversation would resume the moment they climbed into the carriage for the ride home.
How was she to avoid it? Perhaps she could pretend exhaustion and sleep on the entire ride home.