She blushed. “Thank you, Mr. Knight. I am pleased, of course. But I would love to increase that number to one hundred children, if possible. I have an idea for how to do it, but neither Lord Berwick nor I have the expertise necessary to bring it about.”
“What is the idea? I am fairly well connected in business circles. Perhaps I can help.”
Their food was served, so their discussion was set aside for the moment while they ate.
Gideon took pleasure in watching Berry sample her dish.
“Oh, this duck is delicious!” She smiled at him as though he had delivered a miracle. “No wonder everyone wishes to dine here. I have never tasted anything so good. Which gives me an idea for next year’s charity event. Do you think the owner wouldallow me to hold it here? Or is it a foolish idea? I suppose the cost would be too high. But it might be worth comparing budgets, the cost of setting it at my home versus the costs of having it held here.”
“We can price it out,” Gideon said. “I think the owner would be amenable and might even reduce his prices to accommodate you. Write out a list of what you’ll require and I will evaluate the costs for you.”
Lord Berwick liked the possibility. “A change of venue, the best food in London. We could get more donors than ever.”
“And they might be more generous on a full and sated stomach,” Berry added.
“The Denby Arms is a draw in itself. You might charge a small fee for attendance.”
Berry appeared shocked by the suggestion. “How can I charge my friends? No, that is impossible.”
“This is not a dinner party, but a charity event to be held at London’s most exclusive dining establishment. They know they are being invited to help raise funds for the orphanage. If they refuse to pay over a few pounds to have the finest meal they will ever experience in their lifetimes, then you do not need them attending. Wastrels like Viscount Hawthorne are never going to give you so much as a shilling toward those orphans. But he will order the most expensive champagne and guzzle it down like there’s no tomorrow.”
Perhaps he had been a little too honest with Berry. She appeared distressed. “You really dislike Lord Hawthorne, don’t you?”
“Yes, and men like him. They are given every privilege and show not a smidgeon of gratitude. In fact, they… Never mind. And do not fret about the suggestion of an attendance charge. I would never press you to do it. But if you are amenable to considering it, we could meet with the directors of other majorcharities and get their opinion on its effectiveness. I know of a few that have done this with success. Let’s gather the facts and then you and Lord Berwick can decide what to do.”
“Fair enough,” Berry said.
Gideon chose to divert the topic to something less confrontational. “What was your special idea for the orphanage’s expansion? You mentioned that you haven’t the expertise to bring it about. Why don’t you give me a try at it?”
“It is something I would have to show you,” Berry said. “I understand from Bonham that you will be on Duchess Square tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, the ballroom doors are to be installed. The next step is furnishing the house and decorating it. That is woefully outside my area of expertise,” he said with a pained laugh.
“I can help,” Berry eagerly volunteered. “Let me know once your doors are in and I’ll walk over. Did Bonham tell you I had some ideas that might be helpful to you?”
Gideon grinned. “Yes, he said I would be a fool not to take your advice.”
Berry laughed. “He’s quite a character. How did he lose his hearing?”
He choked on his wine and had to cough to clear his throat. “About that…”
“Do you think there is something that might be done? Perhaps if I had my physician look at him.”
Gideon coughed again. “No, not necessary.”
“Why?” She frowned. “Is it hopeless? Have you already sent him to doctors and they could do nothing for him?”
Gideon smothered the urge to laugh. “He is quite a lost cause, I assure you.”
He felt some remorse for perpetuating the misunderstanding. He really ought to tell her that Bonham was his business partner and best friend, not his butler. Norwas Bonham deaf. But she was enjoying her cassoulet and the evening was going pleasantly. He did not want to end it on a sour note. He would tell her the truth tomorrow.
Lord Berwick cast him another speculative look, then shook his head and grinned.
Ah, he’d figured it out. Was he going to tell Berry?
No, Lord Berwick was not going to stick his oar in this harmless jest. He smiled at Gideon, and then asked the wine steward to pour him another glass. Perhaps he understood that Gideon was serious about protecting Berry and would never truly hurt her in any way.
Gideon hoped that much was clear.
