Chapter Eighteen #2
“Fine, be that way. Why should I care? Just because this is your first ball and the most important moment in Lady Berry’s life?
But go ahead and ruin it for her. Leave her in tears because you do not know how to properly protect your clothing.
It isn’t as though she is the kindest, sweetest, most darling lady in all of London.
It isn’t as though she deserves better than an oaf of a betrothed who walks around in wrinkled clothes. ”
His friends were all laughing, which only encouraged Horace.
But Gideon did not mind. Horace adored Berry, and he was right.
This evening was very important for her.
His every step was going to be watched and every misstep reported in all the papers.
He was even wearing fancy evening shoes that pinched his feet tighter than the deuced cravat that was strangling his neck.
“You must tell me what Lady Berry is wearing,” Horace pleaded, folding his hands as though praying. “Take down every detail.”
Well, that wasn’t going to happen. What did Gideon know about gowns other than how to slip them off ladies?
But he nodded. “Sure, Horace.”
Since Lord Berwick’s carriage had been damaged during the abduction, Gideon collected him and his wife in his own carriage, after which they rode to Duchess Square to pick up Berry.
“Blessed saints,” he murmured when she greeted him at the front door.
She looked like a dream in white silk and lace. Only the trace of a bruise could be seen on her forehead. Gideon was surprised she had not tried to cover it up with powder.
“Oh, no,” she said as he assisted her into the seat beside Lady Berwick. “I want people to notice the bruise and remember what Lord Hawthorne did to me.”
“The wretched cur is in prison now,” Lady Berwick said with a satisfied nod. “Where he deserves to be for the next fifteen years. I am certain his family had a say in his sentencing, because he would have been placed under house detention otherwise and received a shorter term.”
“He is such an odious man,” Lord Berwick muttered. “He got what he had coming.”
“He ought to have been hanged for what he did to you, my dear.” Lady Berwick cast her husband a loving look. “And to you as well, my dear Berry.”
“Unfortunately, he will be released sooner if he becomes a marquess,” Berry pointed out.
“One can only hope that will never come to pass,” Lord Berwick grumbled. “And speaking of inheritances, I have news for you about Broadingham’s heirs.”
Berry leaned forward in her seat. “What have the duke’s solicitors found out?”
Gideon tensed. He had yet to accustom himself to the possibility of a child of his being in line to become a duke or duchess. Not to mention, Berry herself might become a duchess.
“There were two potential heirs that we knew of, but one has died without leaving any surviving issue. The other heir has been found…”
“And?” Gideon and Berry asked at the same time.
“The poor man is on his deathbed and not expected to last the year.”
“Oh dear,” Berry said with genuine concern. “Any children?”
“Yes, he has three children…but they are stepchildren. Not blood related.”
Gideon let out a breath. “What are you saying?”
Berry’s eyes were wide as saucers as she awaited the impossible response. “No, it cannot be.”
“Berry, it seems you will soon be Duchess of Broadingham, my dear.” Lord Berwick turned to Gideon and laughed softly.
“Prepare yourself, Knight. You may not know who your parents are, but your children are going to have no such doubts. With the Lord’s blessing, you are going to sire the next little Broadingham duke or duchess. ”
Gideon’s heart was in his throat. Was this not the greatest irony? Him. A nobody. Siring the heir to a dukedom?
Lord Berwick shook his head. “Broadingham’s solicitors would like us to meet with them at some convenient time in the upcoming weeks.
No rush, but they would like to get things in place, since the heir is on his deathbed, as I said.
The man lives on some small island off the coast of Brittany, so word of his demise might be delayed.
But it will reach us soon enough, and his solicitors want to be prepared for this eventuality.
Brittany? Who would wish to live in such isolation? ”
“I’m fairly certain Hawthorne is wishing for it right now,” Gideon remarked. “Anything must be better than the confines of his prison cell.”
“As ye sow, so shall ye reap. No one is going to come to his rescue,” Lord Berwick said. “His friends who were with him that night have all fled the country. I called upon the Bishop of London today. The prelate at St. Simeon’s is no longer there.”
“Where have they put him?” Berry asked.
“He’s been sent off to one of their foreign outposts to convert the populace. I don’t think we shall ever see him in London again.”
“Lady Miranda told me that Pullingham’s father-in-law sent him off to Italy without Lady Pullingham,” Berry remarked.
Lady Berwick smiled as she nodded. “Yes, it is true. Lady Pullingham has packed up their townhouse and is selling it, so I think she expects he will stay gone for good. She got what she wanted out of the marriage, a title and children, one of whom will eventually inherit an earldom. So there’s no more need to put up with that wastrel. ”
They arrived at the impressive Stanhope residence, which was awash in torchlight. Carriages were lined up in a queue that stretched around the corner. Gideon estimated it would take them another ten minutes to reach the head of the line.
But he had settled his coattails just as Horace instructed and had no concerns about his appearance as their carriage moved closer to Lord Stanhope’s porticoed entrance. The evening might go completely amiss, but Gideon could proudly report to Horace that his coattails were free of wrinkles.
As it turned out, he need not have worried about his reception. Lord Stanhope greeted him warmly.
“Ah, London’s hero. First saving the British Museum’s priceless statuary, and mere days later saving the lovely Lady Berry and my dear friend, Lord Berwick. Who will you save next, I wonder? Welcome to our home, Mr. Knight.”
“A pleasure, my lord. I appreciate the invitation.”
“Everyone is eager to meet you,” Lady Stanhope said, smiling broadly. “Having you attend is quite the coup for us. You have made our ball the event of the Season.”
After greeting their host and hostess, Gideon joined Berry and the Berwicks as they made their way into the ballroom. Berry laughed softly when she noticed him counting the chandeliers on the ceiling and taking note of the paint colors.
He winked back at her and smiled.
Footmen briskly walked around balancing trays of champagne-filled glasses in one hand as they made their way through the crowd of lords and ladies who would never think to mutter an apology if they bumped into them and almost spilled the trays.
Gideon had worked as a footman at such elegant ton affairs back when he and Bonham were scrambling to earn whatever they could.
It struck him as odd that he was on the other side now. But he made a point of being considerate to the footmen and thanked the young man who had offered him a glass of champagne. He took one for himself and another for Berry.
It was not long before guests surrounded him and Berry, for they were the talk of the ball and everyone wanted to be introduced to him. She was completely in her element, charming everyone with her dazzling smile and gracious comments.
The Stanhopes opened the ball with a quadrille.
All eyes were on Gideon as he led Berry onto the dance floor. He hopped about with lordly perfection and performed his glissades with the best of them.
He managed the waltz with supreme ease, for all felt right with the world once Berry was in his arms.
Miranda, Gwendolyn, and Suzanna were in attendance, so he danced with them, too.
Only Gwenys was missing, because she would not make her debut until next year.
The ball was a crush, and he could see how someone as young and na?ve as Gwenys might have difficulty at such an affair.
It overwhelmed him, and he had years of experience out in the world.
Berry did not dance with anyone but him because Dr. Farthingale had not given her permission yet.
Gideon did not think she minded having to sit out most of the dances, and no one was going to question her medical excuse.
While he danced with the ladies of Duchess Square, she spent much of her time chatting with several other young ladies, who turned out to be Dr. Farthingale’s nieces.
Berry introduced him when he rejoined her. Apparently, the nieces had married quite well.
It turned out Daffodil Farthingale was one of Berry’s good friends. She had married the Duke of Edgeware. “I call her Duchess Daffy,” her husband teased.
“Because he is an oaf and a scoundrel,” she said with a gentle laugh.
“It is Duchess Dillie, and I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Knight.” Dillie then introduced Gideon to her other sisters and their husbands.
He tried to keep them all in order but knew it was an impossible task.
Rose Farthingale was married to a viscount.
Laurel had married a Scottish baron. Daisy’s husband had been awarded an earldom for his valor during the war.
Dillie had an identical twin, Lily, who was married to the grandson of a duke.