In truth, he liked Horace. He was honest and loyal, not to mention meticulous.
“There is an art to being a gentleman,” Horace always said. “One must look perfect without appearing as though one spent hours achieving that perfection.”
Horace was another of those good souls who would have been eaten alive if left to manage on his own on the streets.
In a way, Horace, Joss, and Pudge had become family to Gideon. Bonham, of course, was his best friend and the brother he had never had.
Jasmine could have become a part of their misfit family, not as his mistress or love interest, although he would be lying if he claimed never to have taken her into his bed. But that was long over, and she knew he would always protect her as a sister.
He had even offered her a respectable job. But she had chosen the life of a courtesan, servicing gentlemen who lavished her with expensive gifts until they got tired of her and moved on. She was exclusive to one man at a time, but none stayed long. She would then find herself another gentleman and negotiate her arrangement with him. In between, and sometimes during, she would offer herself tohim.
He used to take her up on those offers in the early days.
Never now. Jasmine had a petulant nature and would often throw tantrums, but tonight’s behavior was the worst he had ever seen of her. Tonight’s incident felt different.
She worried him. Not for her threats against him, but for her own well-being. She could have confided in him and asked for his help instead of leveling her threats. Why this sudden leap from petulant to destructive?
If she was still here when he returned, he would have a talk with her. But he could not do it now, for he was already late for the museum benefit.
He had his carriage brought around. And indulged Horace while the lad fussed over his attire once more. “Enough. No one will care,” he said finally.
Horace rolled his eyes. “Everyonewill care. You are the outsider and they will all be looking at you, hoping to find fault. It shall not be with the way I have dressed you.”
Gideon laughed. “All right. Point made.”
His carriage drew up in front of the club. It was time to head to the museum.
Would Hawthorne be there and already bothering Berry?
Chapter Ten
Gideon was relievedto find Berry and Lord Berwick as quickly as he did amid the crush of guests attending this elegant soirée held in the grand entrance hall of the British Museum. The place had been decorated to appear as though they were standing atop the Acropolis under a night sky. If one looked up, one could see gods and goddesses in Greek mythology portrayed amid the stars.
But none of those goddesses were as beautiful as Berry. She was dressed in shimmering gold silk and had a smile for him that sparkled in her captivating eyes.
“Good evening,” he said, bowing over her gloved hand and forcing himself to appear more cheerful than he felt.
But her smile went a long way toward easing the strains of the day.
He bowed over Lady Berwick’s hand next, and then greeted her husband. “Has Lady Berry told you all about our fascinating day?”
Berry laughed. “I would hardly call selecting paint colors fascinating.”
Lord Berwick politely disagreed. “It is the most exciting thing to Mr. Knight because it is the realization of a dream he once thought impossible to achieve. Is that not so, Mr. Knight?”
Gideon nodded. “I could not have said it better myself.”
After a polite exchange of conversation, Gideon raised the matter of scholarships for those orphans who showed academicpromise. “We needn’t discuss it now, but I wanted to mention the possibility. Something to consider the next time we meet.” He then turned to Berry. “Nor have I forgotten that you had an idea for increasing the number of orphans St. Brigid’s could take in.”
“We’ll put all of it on the agenda for next time,” she said, obviously pleased he had remembered. “There is no rush, since this idea of mine has been simmering in my brain for years already. And there has been a lot going on lately that is more important.”
“I’m sure the idea has great merit,” Gideon said. “I am eager to hear more about it.”
“But tonight is for us to enjoy this affair, drink lots and lots of champagne, and speak only of trivial matters,” Lady Berwick declared, no doubt having had her fill of business conversations. Her husband and Berry must have spoken of nothing but the orphanage and trust finances while riding over here tonight.
Berry locked her arm with Lady Berwick’s and laughed lightly. “Oh, you and I shall walk about the room and make snide comments on what the other ladies are wearing. Gentlemen, do you mind if we leave you for a few minutes?”
Gideon did mind, for he did not like Berry to be out of his sight for long.
