“I know,” he said gently, for he resented these barriers imposed by theton. “But he will be generous with you and leave you well protected for the future.”
Since she was still in a snit, she cast him a cruel smile. “Nor will the lofty Lady Berengaria ever have you.”
He knew this only too well. “What is your point?”
“You and I make a good team. We could make a go of it. And if you wanted Chloe to join us in bed, I would not mind. Nor would I mind your seducing the proud Berengaria. In fact, I would find it quite amusing. Do you think she would join us? Or mind my watching the two of you?”
Bloody blazes, was this what she thought he wanted out of life? To defile Berry, the most worthwhile lady he had ever met?
“We could never make a go of it, Jasmine. As for Lady Berengaria, just look around you. Every one of us is here and making a living, given a chance at a decent life because of her and her family. And you think I would repay her by ruining her?”
He shook his head and grunted. “I don’t care that you or Chloe chose to lead the life of courtesans when a more respectable path was offered to you. What I do care about is your lack of character. You are loyal only to yourself. You have no appreciation for those who go out of their way to help you. You think they are fools to be used and manipulated. Do you want a man to love and respect you? Then try loving and respectinghim. Just don’t waste that effort on me.”
“Here’s my respect for you!” She picked up a vase and tossed it at his head.
He stepped aside and it smashed against the wall. “Go away, Jasmine. Leave me alone and let me work.”
She stormed off.
Gideon sighed. Just what he needed.
More trouble.
Chapter Eight
Berry had takenGideon’s warning to heart and stepped out yesterday with two armed footmen to escort her wherever she went. She now paced in her formal parlor, staring at the ornate clock on the mantel as the morning hour approached nine o’clock.
She looked forward to seeing Gideon and helping him put his house in shape. Of course, her friend Fiona’s home had always been lovely. But it was Gideon’s now, and he needed to make it comfortable for him and be a representation ofhistastes.
She heard voices at the front door, recognized Gideon’s, and rushed into the entry hall. “You are right on time.”
She tried to tamp down the sudden pitter-patter of her heart. Gideon Knight was too handsome by far.
“So are you.” He smiled and held out his arm for her. “Ready to take on the exciting task of watching paint dry?”
She laughed and wrapped her arm around his as they walked outside. “I am breathless with anticipation. But I cannot stay long. I am due at the orphanage later this morning.”
“Would you mind my company?”
She looked up at him, surprised.
But she should not have been, for he had expressed interest in touring the orphanage. “That would be lovely. I would not mind your company at all. In fact, it would put me at ease. Idid as you suggested and went everywhere with two footmen as escorts yesterday.”
“Did you encounter Hawthorne again?”
“No.” But she frowned. “However, I could not shake the feeling that I was being followed. Did you by any chance have someone watch over me?”
“No, although I should have considered it.”
“Perhaps we are making too much of Lord Hawthorne’s behavior lately. It is disturbing, and I intend to relate my concerns to Lord Berwick when I see him Saturday evening. We have been invited to a soirée at the British Museum to launch one of their new exhibits featuring the Lyme Regis cave drawings.”
Gideon smiled. “So have I.”
Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Truly? I mean…no offense, but how did you manage to secure an invitation?”
“No offense taken. One of the directors is a regular patron at the Musket Club, but he’s a steady fellow. He doesn’t ever bet above his means. Nor does he drink to excess. We got to chatting last night about the hazards of organizing these charity events. He’s sending an invite for me to the club.”
“Oh, that is kind of him. And very helpful.”
