“And later you never bothered to correct it, even after I befriended you.”
Bonham stepped forward. “Blame it on me, Lady Berry. I should have said something when you came by that next time. Please believe me when I say that we never meant to be cruel. But you were so lovely and innocent. And, well, Gideon and I have never encountered anyone as sweet as you before.”
Gideon nodded. “Or anyone so trusting. We thought it was harmless fun, at first. A jest shared between me and Bonham. But then we realized how much our idiotic prank would hurt you, and we didn’t know how to undo it.”
“So we remained complete cowards and let you go on believing I was deaf.” Bonham groaned. “I am truly and ardently sorry.”
“Same goes for me,” Gideon said. “You have shown me nothing but acceptance and kindness. I have never spent a more enjoyable time than when I am with you. At your charity affair. At the Denby Arms. Now here, walking through the rooms of my house with you. I’ve never told anyone the things I told you earlier.”
“You haven’t?” she asked.
“Well, only Bonham knows because he was there with me when we saw the parade. I’m sorry, Berry. It wasnevermy intention to hurt you. But this is what comes of my arrogance and pride. I never apologize to anyone, but I am apologizing to you now. Humbly and sincerely. From the bottom of my heart.” He waited for her to say something, but she simply stood there struggling to hold back tears. “I am so sorry.”
“I have to go.”
“Please don’t,” Gideon said, reaching out to her.
“I have to think about this.” She turned and fled the kitchen.
Bonham stared at him. “Aren’t you going after her?”
“I don’t dare.”
“Gad, I’ve made a mess of this for you. I’m so sorry, Gideon. I wasn’t thinking.”
“No, it’s my fault. That prank was not harmless and I ought to have confessed it right away. But she looked at me with such faith. Such trust. And that beautiful, dimpled smile… I could not break that magical spell.”
“Seriously?”
“She is magical, don’t you think?”
Bonham grinned. “She’s pretty, I will grant you that. Are you falling in love with her?”
“I don’t know,” Gideon said with a groan. “Possible. This assumes I even know what love means.”
“Well, neither of us has had much experience with that.”
Gideon had to acknowledge that the breathless feeling whenever she was near, the yearning to see her and be close to her, had to mean something. “As we walked from room to room, all I could think about was that…” He paused and took a deep breath. “That if nothing ever came of us, of our ever being together, I would have this house to remind me of her. Every wall. Every carpet. Every bookshelf. They would have Berry’s touch. They would be a reflection of her. That I could close my eyes and feelheraround me.”
Bonham’s mouth dropped open. “Hell’s bells. You’ve got it bad.”
“I know. Perhaps this is for the best. How could it ever work out? She’s a lady. I am…” Gideon gave a mirthless laugh. “I don’t even know what I am or who I am. Berwick trusts me to protect her finances and keep an eye out for bounders getting too close. Iought to leave it at that. A professional arrangement. Let her find love with one of her own. Just not with that cur, Hawthorne.”
His friend slapped him on the back. “You’ll get over her in time. There are plenty of ladies eager to help you forget her. Even if Jasmine or Chloe find benefactors, they will always—”
“No, that wouldn’t be helpful.” Gideon let out a breath. “Just leave it alone, Bonham. I’ll work through this on my own.”
But he wasn’t sure he could ever forget Berry. Even if he never saw her again.
She was already burned into his heart, wasn’t she?
How did others manage the pain of it? Perhaps if he had a fickle heart. But that was not him.
Apparently, even nameless guttersnipes could fall in love.
Assuming this was the real thing and not some passing infatuation.
He walked out of the kitchen and into the new ballroom that he and his workers had just finished building. Berry was in there, turned away as she struggled to stop her tears.
