“A bit impatient today, are we?” Horace said, laughing. “Lady Berry will melt when she sees you. You have the outward look of a gentleman, but inwardly you are a seething cauldron of seductive allure. Powerful, dangerous, and always naughty. Ladies cannot resist that combination.”
“For pity’s sake, Horace.” Gideon arched an eyebrow and groaned. “I am not going there to seduce her.”
“If you say so. Make note of what she wore and you must tell me.”
“Forget it.”
“Youmust. There is no one more stylish or refined than Lady Berry. Every boy at the orphanage adored her and every girl wanted tobeher.”
“Fine, if it means that much to you.” He and Bonham were not total dullards to fashion. They had spent years watching the elegant set attend their teas and musicales, for they had grabbed work wherever they could, willing to take on the most menial tasks to earn a few coins.
Even when they were young lads still in the care of the orphanage, he and Bonham would think up ways to make money. They used to slip away on occasion and beg on the street with soot on their faces and tin cups in hand.
But now, they watched these pampered elite gamble, some of them quite recklessly, took a cut of everyone’s winnings for themselves as per their club rules, and held most of them in contempt for the vapid way they lived their lives.
And despite those elite having done nothing to better themselves or society, he and Bonham were the ones considered beneath contempt. They had spent years watching that privileged set walk by them with their noses in the air.
The carriages were lined up around Duchess Square when he arrived and presented his invitation to Lady Berry’s butler, Melton, who surprised him by casting him a gracious smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Knight. Lady Berry will be pleased to see you. This way, sir.”
Gideon followed the man through the parlor, noting its elegant décor, and out into the immaculately groomed garden. A dais had been set up along the side wall that served as the elegant stone separation between her home and his. Tables surrounded by delicate wrought iron chairs filled up most of the grassy areas. Her roses were in bloom and just in time to show themselves off to greatest advantage, because nothing had been blooming last week. She probably timed this annual event to present her garden to spectacular effect.
As he feared, there was nothing to eat but rabbit food. Tiered platters of sweets and savories had been placed in the center of each table. He could have devoured everything on those tiers and still been hungry.
Footmen strolled among the guests, offering champagne, coffee, or tea.
Melton announced him.
Gideon had spotted Berry amid a circle of her friends, and saw her immediately perk her ears at the mention of his name.
He watched as she excused herself and made her way toward him. But her smile slipped the moment she saw him. “Gideon? Did Mr. Knight send you in his place?”
Her eyes were as green as the grass beneath his feet and her hair was the loveliest shade of blonde, golden and almost amber because of the hints of red. Her gown was the palest dusky rose, and had layers of some sheer fabric over the silk so that she looked like a flitting butterfly as she walked toward him.
“Knight!” Lord Berwick said from behind Berry. “Glad you could make it. Berry hoped you would.”
She frowned as her gaze darted from Gideon to Lord Berwick and back again.
Then her eyes grew wide as saucers. “Wait…you?Youare Mr. Knight?”
“Yes, Gideon Knight. One and the same.”
She put a hand over her mouth and gasped. “Do you mean to say that my friends and I have been—”
He grinned.
Yes, they had been staring at him every Thursday afternoon for a month.
“Oh, Mr. Knight.” A blush shot across her cheeks and she groaned. “Do forgive us.”
Lady Berry was the most adorable woman he had ever met. Not only was she kindhearted, but pretty as a button, and those green eyes of hers far outshone any gemstones.
“Of course. Forgiven and forgotten. I was the one at fault. I ought to have introduced myself to you earlier.”
Lord Berwick regarded him curiously. “Was there a misunderstanding between you and Berry?”
“Not at all. She mistook me for hired help the other day. Nothing serious.”
“You?” Lord Berwick laughed and shook his head. “Well, it is all cleared up now. Do join us at our table. I have been meaningto talk to you about those warehouse investments of yours, and several other matters.”
