“Who wants to know?”
This man was seriously infuriating.
Berry tipped her chin up again. “I do.”
“And who are you?”
“As I am sure you know by now, because you do not strike me as a man who misses much of anything, I am Mr. Knight’s neighbor, Lady Berengaria Thane,” she said, just as another boom drowned out the mention of her family name.
“Berengaria? That’s a mighty big name for a little thing like you.”
“My friends call me Lady Berry.”
“Sweet,” he muttered, casting her a look she could have sworn was mocking. His silvery eyes seemed to dance with amusement.
“But you shall refer to me as Lady Berengaria.”
He nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Curb your arrogance or I shall demand Mr. Knight discharge you.”
The glint of amusement disappeared.
Oh dear.
He arched a dark eyebrow and crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Excuse me?”
She let out a deflated breath. “I won’t really. Forgive me, that was rather insolent of me. But I am at my wits’ end. You see, I am holding a charity affair at my home this Saturday on behalf of St. Brigid’s Orphanage, as I do every year. You cannot be pounding your hammers and tossing down giant beams while I am trying to coax donations from my guests to keep the orphanage funded. How are we to resolve this, Mr.…” She waited for him to introduce himself.
He sighed. “Gideon will do.”
“Mr. Gideon. I—”
“Just Gideon.”
“All right…Gideon. Is there a solution to this dilemma?”
He surprised her by actually giving the question a moment’s thought. “St. Brigid’s, you say? You could invite Mr. Knight to your charity event. He would halt the construction if he were invited.”
Her eyes widened. “Would he consider it? Or will he consider me rude and grasping, and think I only want his money?”
“Yes, to both.”
“He would accept? But also think me rude and grasping?” She shook her head. “Please tell him that donations are desired but not required. Any small token is appreciated. I shall send him an invitation as soon as my meeting is over. If he wishes to learn more about the orphanage, I would be happy to show him around the place.”
“It won’t be necessary. Mr. Knight knows it well.”
Her eyes widened. “He does?”
Gideon nodded and pointed to the men working in the back. “We all do. Every one of us came out of St. Brigid’s.”
Berry did not know why his remark brought tears to her eyes. “That is wonderful, Gideon. My father would be so proud.”
“Will he be in attendance?”
“No, he died many years ago. My mother, too. I was orphaned at the age of eight.”
He frowned lightly. “What did you say your family name was?”
