“And no friends,” Gwendolyn said with a shake of her head.
Berry shrugged. “Going to the park was the worst, for my governesses were so worried about being rebuked or losing their position if I came home with stains on my clothes or a scraped knee that I was forbidden to play with the other children. Theywould sometimes relent if the children were deemed to be of my family’s stature—you know, sons or daughters of an earl, marquess, or duke—but few of them ever were.”
“Oh, that is awful,” Miranda said. “I never realized how locked away you were.”
“Well, it is in the past now. It wasn’t intentional and I was always treated with kindness. But this is why I looked forward to the times my mother would take me to the orphanage. There were so many children around my age there. Unfortunately, even then I was not permitted to play with anyone. That was such a frustration. But how could I ever complain when I was given so much and the orphans had so little?”
She cast Gideon a thoughtful look as she continued. “I believe that, in this small way, you were quite fortunate. You always had friends around you. Not that I am dismissing the importance of a family life, for I am not. And I expect the utter lack of privacy frustrated you to no end. But being treated as a princess also had its drawbacks. At times, excruciating boredom. Adults do not play with children the same way children play together. Mrs. Garland was no substitute for a dear friend.”
Gideon raked a hand through his hair. “I’ll price all of it out for you. Let me give some thought to the question of a single doll versus a variety of dolls. But I think Bonham is right. The more variety, the higher the cost and also the less special it might be viewed.”
“So, this is your inclination?” Berry asked. “To start with one doll design?”
He nodded. “It might make sense, assuming the costs are not prohibitive and kill this project before it can ever get started. I like the idea about clothing for these dolls very much. This is what will set apart the wealthy buyer from the poor. They would all get the doll, but the emphasis will be on the extensive wardrobe that only the rich will be able to afford. This might beenough to create the necessary distinction between the classes. But who knows?”
“Oh, I think you have very good instincts. I trust your judgment,” Berry said, relieved he would give her ideas serious consideration.
“May I add another thought about the doll?” Gideon asked.
“Yes, of course.”
“Start with one doll. Call it the Berry doll.”
“Named after me?”
“Yes,” he said, grinning. “Big eyes. Wide smile. Flaunt the connection to you and your involvement with the orphanage.”
Miranda frowned. “Oh, I don’t know. Putting Berry’s face on a doll could be viewed as scandalous among theton, her stooping to common trade.”
“Even though it is clearly designated for charitable purposes?” Gwenys asked.
Gwendolyn nodded. “They will blame Mr. Knight for lowering her standards and leading her astray. I love the idea, and Berry has just the sort of face that everyone adores, doesn’t she? Don’t we all just want to hug her? But perhaps name it something other than the Berry doll.”
“It pains me to agree,” Suzanna said. “There is nothing fair or right about it, for I love the idea of a Berry doll, too. But there are too many powerful people ready to tear her down merely because they are jealous of her. We must be practical and think of the orphanage’s needs. What will best accomplish your goal of housing one hundred orphans? I don’t think stirring up controversy will do it.”
Gwenys let out a breath. “I would buy a Berry doll and all her wardrobe. I adore the idea. What little girl would not aspire to be you, Berry?”
“Oh, thank you,” Berry said, blushing at the compliment.
“No need to make any decisions today,” Gideon said, slapping his hands to his thighs as he rose from his chair. “Bonham and I will work on the pricing and costs. Lord Berwick will surely have an opinion regarding the Berry doll. He can decide about the risks and benefits once we present him with the numbers.”
“A doll with my name isn’t important,” Berry said, although she was flattered that he had raised the idea.
Gideon grunted. “I’ll let you and Lord Berwick decide this matter. You can give it whatever name you want, but I firmly believe the doll needs to look like you and have your smile.”
She laughed.
“See,” he said, casting her a surprisingly affectionate look. “Your smile is pure sunshine. No one can resist it. Mention that to Lord Berwick.”
After another brief dance lesson, Gwenys and Miranda went off to run errands while Suzanna and Gwendolyn agreed to return to Gideon’s shambles of a townhouse with Bonham to work on yet another plumbing innovation.
Gideon frowned at his friend. “I thought you took care of all the plumbing issues.”
“I did,” Bonham said. “But Suzanna has a brilliant idea about a piping system to bring running water directly up to your private quarters. She says the Romans had these types of water conduits in place a thousand years ago. One can see just this example in the Roman baths that still exist in the town of Bath, she claims.”
“Those old Roman baths? Are you talking about a communal bathing system? In my own dressing room? Am I supposed to throw a party every time I bathe?”
Bonham chuckled. “No, you arse. Although you can take whomever you wish into your bath. But would it not beconvenient to shorten the time and effort in getting water to you? As much as you need within reach of your hand.”
