Lord Berwick took Berry’s hand. “My dear, I know we had this conversation and I told you that I could never give my approval to your marrying Mr. Knight.”
Gideon’s heart twisted. Was he now going to remind Berry and insist on her looking elsewhere for a husband?
She sat up stiffly, obviously just as riled as he was. “With all due respect, Lord Berwick, I do not need to hear this again.”
“I know. This is why I must tell you that if you do have sincere feelings for Mr. Knight, then I will not disapprove. In fact, I will support you wholeheartedly if you wish to marry him. That is…” Lord Berwick turned to Gideon. “I heard the last of what you said just now. Will you give me your oath that you love Berry?”
“You have it. Upon my honor. I cannot breathe for loving her so much.” Gideon gave a pained laugh. “There is no one for me but Lady Berry. She has my heart and will always have it. I will remain true to my marriage vows to love, honor, and protect her for all of our days.”
“Yes, I thought you might be feeling this way.”
“I feel the same,” Berry said, tipping her chin up.
Lord Berwick shed a tear as he said, “I think facing death puts priorities into proper perspective, doesn’t it? Adversity brings out the worst in some men and the best in others. And this horrible incident with Lord Hawthorne made me realize how wrong my outlook has been. It shames me to admit that I might have once considered Hawthorne the worthier man. And why? Simply because of the fortune of his birth?”
Berry looked aghast. “No! You could never have thought so.”
Lord Berwick shook his head. “Well, never seriously. I dismissed him as soon as I realized what a sneaky little rat he was. But I still had my objections about Mr. Knight. Although I liked him, I still worried about what thetonmight think if you were ever to marry him. But he has been dealing with adversity and overcoming it with valor for all his life. Not only overcoming it, but helping others and raising them along with him. He protects the weak. He is one of the most honorable men I know.”
“Being raised in St. Brigid’s gave me the chance to improve my life,” Gideon said. “Who knows what my fate might have been had I ended up in a workhouse? Or put to work asa chimney sweep’s monkey? Those poor boys rarely survive beyond the age of six.”
“There is a special quality about you, Mr. Knight. One I saw while you were being raised in that orphanage and later as you made your way in the world. I placed some of Berry’s investments with you to test you, and you proved my faith in you. But it was sheer stupidity and narrow-mindedness that prevented me from understanding you would make her a good husband, too. Even now, I am worried about how you will be received by theton. It is no small matter.”
“Then you still have concerns?” Gideon asked.
Lord Berwick nodded. “Not about you, but about how you will be received by others. Well, that is something we will work out later. What is most important is that if I do not wake up tomorrow, I wanted Berry to know that I approve of her choice in a husband.”
Tears flowed down Berry’s cheeks. “Youwillwake up. Youmust, for me and Lady Berwick, and your children, and everyone else who loves you. You are much beloved and we would be bereft without you.”
He held out a hand. “Help me up, Mr. Knight. I had better return to bed or Dr. Farthingale will box my ears. So will my wife. I expect she will be running over here shortly and not leave my side until I am able to return home. My daughters might do the same. I apologize in advance if we inconvenience you.”
“No inconvenience, my lord,” Gideon replied.
“Well, I still do have some concerns for you and Berry. May I suggest you both say nothing until after Lord Stanhope’s ball, and then we can assess the situation? Thetonmay need to absorb you in small doses, but I will do my best to ensure they will accept you.”
Berry had a stubborn look on her face. Gideon did not think she was going to wait to marry him. Nor did he wish it, either.
But this was not about their instant gratification. If they could end up married and the orphanage contributions were ensured to continue, then where was the harm in waiting a few weeks for this best outcome?
He assisted Lord Berwick back to his bedchamber and left him under the watchful care of Horace.
As for Gideon, he was exhausted and could do with a few hours of sleep. He would manage it in one of the large chairs in his bedchamber, or simply stretch out on the carpet if the chair proved too uncomfortable.
But before he slept, he needed to finish that kiss he and Berry had started.
He strode back to his quarters with that intention and was surprised to find a woman standing by the bed, staring down at Berry.
He thought it might have been her maid, Harriet, who he expected would come over here shortly to tend to her mistress. But the woman was dressed too finely.
Bloody bollocks.
Jasmine.
Who in blazes had letherup here?
Chapter Seventeen
Berry had closedher eyes a moment, for she was exhausted but also exhilarated by Lord Berwick’s admission that Gideon might be the right man for her. He would give his blessing if they chose to marry, and that was all that mattered.
