Gideon found himself momentarily alone with Berry as he led her into the parlor. She took a seat on the delicate silk settee and looked up at him in that typically beautiful way she had of opening his heart. He found it hard to tear his gaze away from her.
Why could he not have been born respectable? He would kiss the ground before him and count his blessings hourly if ever he were allowed to wake up to the sight of her each morning. Big, sleepy eyes. Full, blushing lips. Bosom unbound by a corset. Strawberry-tinged golden hair.
He tried to remain outwardly calm. Inside, he was a screaming ape.
Her housekeeper and head butler rushed in.
“There were footprints made recently at the base of the trellis,” Gideon began to explain. “Perhaps made less than anhour ago, because those impressions were left in the grass after the dew had formed. I also found this trace of cloth, like a scrap of a jacket or cape.”
He showed it to Berry.
“Oh, dark blue,” she said, holding it up to the sunlight. “I suppose it is a common enough color for a man’s attire. I know Lord Hawthorne was wearing a jacket in this exact shade of blue the other day.”
“There are also scratches along the windowsill and glass panes, and the latch on your window is broken and will need to be replaced.” He frowned. “I’ll send over one of my carpenters to repair it today. Did you hear anything last night? Or early this morning?”
Berry shook her head. “I had a headache, so I took a sleeping powder, which is why I am still drowsy this morning. It was such a stupid thing to do, I realize now. I rarely ever take anything to put me to sleep, but my mind has been racing and my head hurt. I did not expect Lord Hawthorne to try anything so soon after the incident at the museum.”
“He knows his time is running out, and he hasn’t a moment to lose. Mr. Barrow will soon be on the task and foil his efforts. Until then, you must all keep alert.”
Mrs. Bolton and Melton assured him they would.
Gideon turned back to Berry. “I’m going to stay close to you for the rest of the day. All right?”
She nodded.
“I’ll relieve Bonham tonight, let him handle our business affairs while I remain here to guard my house overnight. Of course, I’ll mostly be keeping an eye on yours.”
Berry put a hand to her throat. “It is a bit unsettling to know he was watching me and trying to break in. Even more unsettling that I did not realize it.”
Gideon nodded to acknowledge her concern. “Do you want to spend the night elsewhere? Perhaps at Lady Miranda’s or with Lord and Lady Berwick?”
She shook her head. “No, I do not wish to cause any of them trouble. I may have Harriet or Cora sleep in my room tonight. That ought to be enough to dissuade him and any of his friends who are foolish enough to go along with his schemes.”
“I’ll have the footmen armed and on watch tonight for any intruders,” Melton added.
“Just make sure they do not shoot me or Mr. Bonham,” Gideon said.
Melton nodded. “I’ll instruct them to be careful.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to ready yourself,” Gideon said to Berry. “I’ll be just next door if you need me. Otherwise, I’ll return at the appointed hour for our dance lesson. Or do you wish to postpone it?”
“Please, let us continue with the morning as planned. I rather enjoyed yesterday’s tutorial. You and Mr. Bonham are quite able students. It took me weeks to memorize the steps to the quadrille, but you picked them up with impressive speed.”
Mrs. Bolton eyed him suspiciously.
He cleared his throat. “Bonham and I might have had a few lessons from time to time, at the orphanage and at other times. And we’ve certainly seen people dancing. But you are also a very able teacher.”
“I hope so, because I would like you to stay close to me at Lord Stanhope’s ball. Will you claim me for two dances? A waltz and the supper dance?”
Gideon was pleased but surprised. “If you wish it.”
She shook her head. “I do wish it, especially if Lord Stanhope has invited Lord Hawthorne to his ball. I’ll have to make certain all my dances are claimed before he approaches me.”
“I doubt Stanhope will invite him. You’ll be safe enough once you are in his ballroom. And I’ll keep watch over you whenever we are not dancing together. So will Lord Berwick. And I expect Stanhope will leave strict instructions for Hawthorne to be tossed out on his ear should he be so brazen as to show up there. In the meanwhile, you’ll have me and Lord Berwick looking out for you. Soon, the Bow Street Runners, too.”
“I do wish Mrs. Garland was feeling better. I’ve had to rely heavily on Lord and Lady Berwick to act as my chaperones lately. It is not fair to them.”
“I doubt they mind at all,” Gideon assured her. “Well, I think that is everything. Just make certain the entire staff is put on alert. I’ll return shortly.”
