“So do you.”
She shook her head. “Yes, but Miss Prescott is here every day, working from sunup to sundown. I toss money at her and come by once a week to read to the little ones. It isn’t quite the same.”
“Both are necessary. Do not make light of your importance.”
Gideon stayed on a little while longer to listen to Berry read to the youngest children. He felt a viselike grip to his heart as he realized her mother had done the same thing when she was alive, and Gideon had been one of those children sitting enthralled at her feet while she read to him, Bonham, and their mates about knights and magic, dragons and princesses.
He tried to recall her mother’s face.
Sadly, he could not. What he remembered was her kindness, and how he and his mates always felt good whenever she visited them.
And here was Berry, another sweet angel carrying on her mother’s tradition.
He saw the looks on the faces of these young ones. Yes, they were feeling the enchantment.
When she was done, Gideon took her aside. “I had better leave now. I dare not put off hiring Mr. Barrow, and it is already getting late.”
“All right. I have a few more things to do here before I go,” she said, suddenly fidgeting with a string of her reticule.
She was going to read his file. He saw it on her face. This was why she could not look him in the eye.
Well, where was the harm? There was nothing in there anyway. He had scrutinized his file, desperate to find the slightest speck of a clue, and would have known if there had been anything to discover. “Stay alert when you walk out of here. Make certain your footmen are aware when you step out.”
“Yes, I’ll make sure of it.”
“Tell me if you find anything in my file.”
Her face immediately turned a hot red and then her shoulders sagged. “I…I… You knew.”
He nodded. “Your eyes reveal everything. Read it as many times as you like, Berry. There’s nothing there. I have to go. See you at the museum tonight.”
He strode out of the building and into the sunshine.
Since Bow Street was not far and the day was pleasant enough, he decided to walk to Homer Barrow’s office. He was not certain he would find the man there, because Barrow was so often in demand and constantly called out on urgent investigations. But Gideon would leave word for him and ask him to stop by the Musket Club.
He was in luck, however. Homer Barrow was seated at his desk, finishing up a report for a client before heading out on another investigation. He was a big, portly man with jowly cheeks and a bulbous nose, but he had one of the keenest minds Gideon had ever met. “Do have a seat, Mr. Knight. What can I do for you?”
Gideon quickly told him the situation.
“I’ll put Mick to following Lord Hawthorne. He’s part bloodhound, and no one can shake him off the tail,” Barrow said with a jovial smile. “George will keep watch on Duchess Square. Would Lady Berry be averse to taking him into her home in some capacity?”
“I am certain she would be amenable. If I am wrong, then my home can be used. It is not yet furnished or staffed, but my friend Bonham has been staying overnight to make certain no one breaks in. George can conduct this surveillance from there, too. It is well positioned on the square. We also have two very inquisitive neighbors who can be trusted to cooperate,” he added, thinking of Berry’s friends, Miranda and Gwendolyn.
“Sounds like we won’t have a problem getting set up. However, it will take me a few days to put this in place. You see, we have other commitments these next few days, and I am already short of qualified Runners to handle them. I am stretched a bit thin right now. Can you afford to wait a few days? I would understand if you needed to seek elsewhere for these services.”
“No, I’ll wait for you.”
“That is much appreciated. I’ll do my best to get to you as quickly as possible. You did me a good turn last year, and I owe you the favor. If you feel the danger is imminent, I—”
“No, Mr. Barrow. We can wait another two or three days.” Gideon raked a hand through his hair. “I’ll advise Lady Berry to stay close to home in the meanwhile. On my recommendation, she has been taking two armed footmen with her whenever she goes out.”
“That is good.”
“She is attending a soirée at the British Museum tonight and will not cancel. But Lord Berwick will be picking her up in his carriage to escort her there, and I will be meeting them, so sheshould be all right. Lord Berwick will escort her home afterward and I’ll ride with them for an added measure of protection.”
Barrow frowned. “You’re quite concerned about her.”
“I am probably fretting too much. No doubt it is needless. But Hawthorne is refusing to move on after she has rebuffed him, instead becoming more persistent. Desperate men do foolish things, and I cannot shake the feeling that he is planning something nefarious.”
