“Go away, Horace.”
His valet ignored him and continued to fuss over his attire. Then the tub was rolled in and the new hires on his staff carried in the steaming water.
Once that was done, he turned once again to Horace. “Out. Come back in fifteen minutes.”
“All right, sir.”
Gideon sank into the hot water and closed his eyes for a moment. He allowed the heat to soak into his bones. He then hurriedly washed his hair and body, grabbed the towel Horace had left on a nearby stool for him, and climbed out of the tub.
After drying off, he wrapped the towel around his waist and then rolled the tub into the corner where Bonham had installed a drain so that the water could be poured out, sparing the need to lug buckets up and down.
He could have left it to his staff to do, but he was still on edge and needed to occupy himself with something.
He was about to reach for his comb when the door opened once more. “Horace, you’re five minutes early.”
“Good, then you and I will have five minutes to ourselves,” Jasmine replied, slipping into his bedchamber.
“For pity’s sake, what are you doing here? Out.”
Her gaze was avid as she studied him. “Horace said you were out of sorts. I thought I would come up and soothe you.”
“I do not need yoursoothing. Where’s your benefactor?”
“Haverstock is in the cards room. He’ll be occupied all night and I am already bored.”
“Too bad. I’m busy.”
“I can give you a quick—”
He held Jasmine by her wrists when she attempted to remove his towel. “That isn’t going to happen.”
“Are you spurning me? Who do you think you are?” She had pretended to be hot for him, but that mask of adoration quickly fell aside to reveal her true character, which was petty and vengeful. “Let go of me or I shall scream.”
“Go right ahead, and I will toss you out of here so fast your head will spin.”
“I could cause trouble for you, Gideon.”
“You would do this after everything I have done for you?”
She spat at him.
He hauled her to the door and called for Pudge.
“Yes, Mr. Knight,” the reliable young man said, immediately lumbering up the stairs.
“The lady seems to have lost her way. Escort her downstairs. If she gives you any trouble, throw her out and never allow her in the club again.”
“You’ll regret this,” she hissed, and stormed downstairs, clawing Pudge’s hand when he attempted to escort her out.
“Angry cat,” Pudge muttered, putting a handkerchief to the scratch that was beginning to bleed. “I think her benefactor is already regretting their arrangement. He rarely plays cards when he comes here, but he’s settled in for the entire night, and I can see by the look in his eyes that he dreads going home with her.”
“Watch her closely, Pudge. She’s acting oddly and may do something foolish. Alert Joss, too. And put some brandy on that cut to cleanse it thoroughly.”
He nodded and marched downstairs to catch up with Jasmine.
Gideon picked up his soap and washed the spit off his face.
Horace returned to assist him in dressing, as usual fussing over every detail, including the length of cuff showing beneath his jacket sleeve. But Gideon let Horace go about his business without snapping at him. After all, the lad was doing a good job in dressing him like a gentleman and took pride in his work.
