“Oh, poor thing.” Berry climbed into his carriage. “Are you certain it is only a sprain?”
“Yes, that much is confirmed. Our housekeeper has some medical knowledge and told me there was no break. But it was such an awkward twist and gave us quite a scare. I am assured she will be fine in a few days. Still, I hate to leave her in distress.”
“You have a capable housekeeper in Mrs. Cummings, and a loyal staff who will tend to Lady Berwick. She is right about our not begging out of the dinner party. Lord Folger only invited twenty of his friends, so losing the three of us would be noticed.”
Lord Berwick settled across from her. “That is what my wife said.”
“And she is right,” Berry insisted. “You will simply have to suffer with my company this evening.”
He laughed. “You are always a joy. Tell me, what did you do today?”
Berry told him about the dance lessons and her trip to the warehouse with Gideon.
“You are even accompanying him to warehouses?”
“It is more that I am bringing him along. He seems comfortable leaving the entire decoration of his home to me.”
“Well, you do have excellent taste.”
“He seems to think so,” she said with a satisfied smile. “But it is his home and he must have complete input, don’t you think? He also wanted to stay close to me because of Lord Hawthorne.”
She told Lord Berwick about her broken window latch and the hired carriage that had been lurking near Duchess Square.
“Oh, my dear. This is quite troubling. Something must be done at once.”
“Mr. Knight has already arranged for the best Bow Street Runners in London to guard me. He insists on bearing the costs, but I will make him see reason. At the very least, I ought to pay half, should I not?”
“He can well afford the full expense.”
“As I am coming to realize, for he did not even blink an eye when Mr. Dunning gave him the price for the malachite stone. But about these Runners—they will not be available to start for another day.” She then told him about the precautions her friends were taking on her behalf in the meanwhile. “And Melton has my staff on alert, as well.”
“Good.” He pursed his lips. “You could come and stay with us.”
“Mr. Knight suggested it, but I do not like the idea of bringing trouble to your door, especially now that Lady Berwick is indisposed. Anyway, Mr. Knight said he would stop by around midnight to make certain I am safely returned home from Lord Folger’s party. Oh, it sounds scandalous, doesn’t it? But he intends nothing improper. He is genuinely concerned about what Hawthorne might do. It curdles my stomach to think he might have gotten into my bedchamber while I was sleeping and completely unaware.”
Lord Berwick nodded. “We must remain vigilant until that bounder comes to his senses and gives up on you.”
“But this morning’s incident proves he hasn’t changed his mind. I do not think I will sleep at all tonight. Fortunately, it is only for one night. The Bow Street Runners will be on the job by tomorrow and I will be able to sleep without worry, at least for the next few nights.”
“Are you certain they cannot begin guarding you tonight?”
“They were very clear about their prior commitments when Mr. Knight asked this very question. It instills confidence to know they are London’s best and constantly in demand. Anyway, having them around is merely a temporary fix. It is Lord Hawthorne who needs to be diverted from his scheme, and we need to figure out how to do it.”
“Obviously, he needs to be put in the direction of other heiresses,” he said. “There are some who would accept him, daughters of wealthy merchants who are willing to trade their fortune for acceptance among theton.”
“Yes, and he is in line to eventually become the Marquess of Dundalk. That ought to be an attractive lure. Plenty of families would consider him an excellent catch for their daughters for this reason alone. I don’t understand why he is so determined to have me.”
“Well, the problem is that Hawthorne is a much-debauched wastrel and may not outlive the current marquess. This is why several wealthy tradesmen have already balked at considering him worthwhile. They would prefer to toss money at a man who already has a title. And I’ve heard the current marquess is about to remarry. It is merely gossip, but it would explain Hawthorne’s sudden desperation. The marquess’s bride is rumored to be young enough to give him sons.”
“Oh, I see. Drat. This will lower Hawthorne’s desirability even further,” Berry muttered. “Well, good for the marquess.The world will be better off if Hawthorne never inherits the title.”
“But this is why he is so determined to have you. He has his eye not only on your fortune but your family’s dukedom. Your granduncle will not live forever, and you are quite possibly next in line to inherit.”
Berry snorted. “I’m sure there are a few wastrel cousins who come before me.”
“True, assuming they are still alive. No one’s heard from them in years.”
“I hope they are alive and have ten children each. That will show Hawthorne,” she said with a huff.
