“Your grandfather left instructions with charities to send it to.”
Lydia nodded. That was that then.
“I am sorry I could not be of more help.”
“It is no matter, Mr. Sperry. Thank you for your time.”
“Of course.” He started to circle his desk again but paused, glancing down at the polished wood before meeting her eyes again. “If I may say, Miss Faraday... That is... If there is something you are considering forgoing the inheritance for, do be cautious in your decisions. Ensure thatsomethingis worth it. Excuse me if this is overstepping, but if you were my granddaughter, I do believe I would like her to weigh her options with a great deal of thought.”
Lydia nodded, her hand on the door and a grim smile on her face. “Thank you for the concern, Mr. Sperry. Good day.” She pushed back into the main room, finding Lord Berkeley alone.
“You are finished?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Lord Berkeley?” Mr. Sperry called. “Might I have a quick word?”
Lord Berkeley looked to Lydia as if looking for permission. She gestured that he go ahead, so he passed by her in the tiny office to meet Mr. Sperry at the door she’d just exited. Lord Berkeley did not close the door.
Mr. Sperry glanced over Lord Berkeley’s shoulder at Lydia, a question in his eyes.
Lord Berkeley turned and met her eye. “If it is about my business here, Miss Faraday is well aware of it all. You can say whatever you need.”
Mr. Sperry’s gray brows shot up. “Oh. Oh, very well then. I thought it pertinent that you know that there were some men here the other day asking questions about my clients. I told them nothing, of course, but then they asked if anyone else shared the office with me. I did not mention you, but I thought it odd thatthey would ask such a thing when only my name is above the door. It is likely nothing, but I thought you would want to know.”
Lord Berkeley made a sound of contemplation. “Thank you, Sperry. I will think on it.”
“You are welcome, my lord.”
Lydia waited until Lord Berkeley overtook her and opened the door. They bid Mr. Sperry farewell and ducked back onto the street.
“Was your business concluded successfully?” Lord Berkeley asked.
Lydia had a brief second to consider her answer. “Not entirely,” she said. “In truth, I am not sure why I came.”
Lord Berkeley paused on the walk as she had. This was not a conversation she wished to have within the carriage with Jones listening in. “Can I help in any way?”
Lydia snorted. Lord Berkeleywasthe complication just then. The fact that she’d begun seeing stars in her eyes at the thought—the mere thought—of a future with him was what was derailing all her plans for her future.
“Is something funny?” Lord Berkeley asked.
Lydia grimaced. “No, I apologize. I do not think anyone can help just now. I only wanted to know if I had another option.”
His brows rose. “Another option?”
She nodded, finding it hard to keep her eyes on his. “Than my avoiding marriage.”
He was quiet for several heartbeats. A group of gentlemen passed them on the street, bidding Lord Berkeley hello, to which he gave them a distracted sort of wave.
“You no longer wish to . . . avoid marriage?”
Her heart hammered against her chest. She could not very well admit her feelings in the midst of a crowded street. She nodded instead of trusting her voice.
“Do you have someone in mind?” His voice was very nearly strangled.
“I... well... That is...” A loud horse and carriage rumbled by, giving her a moment to collect her thoughts. But then a group of ladies and gentlemen began making their way down the walk toward them. Lydia nodded their way. “Perhaps we could continue this conversation at another time.”
Lord Berkeley followed her gaze, his jaw tight. “Yes, you are right.” His eyes returned to hers for several long moments before he offered his hand to help her into the carriage.
