Upon opening her eyes, she had expected to find Gideon returned to her side. Instead, she saw one of those beautiful ladies Gideon had escorted to the Covent Garden theater shortly after they had first met.
Up close, she did not look quite so pretty. In fact, she looked haughty and held malice in her eyes.
Berry realized this woman was not meant to be here, for Gideon would never have allowed someone like her anywhere near her or Lord Berwick.
“He is mine,” the woman spat. “He’ll drop you now that he has bedded you. You were nothing more than a challenge. The high and mighty Lady Berry. Well, he’s had you now and will soon lose interest.”
“Hadme?” Berry wanted to laugh at the notion, for were her lumps and bruises not obvious enough indication that something other than a tryst was going on?
Gideon walked in just then—a relief, because Berry thought this woman was capable of putting a pillow over her head and suffocating her. “Get out, Jasmine,” he said harshly. “Who let you up here?”
“I know my way well enough. After all, I am quite familiar with your bed,” the woman purred. “You used to enjoy my company once.”
“Dear heaven,” he muttered, approaching her. “That was in the past.” He cast Berry a pained glance, no doubt mortified about what she was thinking.
She made no effort to say anything.
Whatcouldshe say? He obviously had an imperfect past, but was he any different from other bachelors who sought out ladies for casual encounters or took on a mistress?
What mattered was his conduct since meetingher, and had it not been exemplary? Whether he would revert to his past ways and past dalliances was a question yet to be answered, but Berry was ready to wager her heart on his being faithful. She did not think that a man who valued loyalty as dearly as he did would ever be disloyal himself.
Gideon groaned. “You’ve had several benefactors since that time, Jasmine. Do not pretend there is anything between us.”
Jasmine placed her hands on Gideon’s chest with proprietary familiarity. “But none were as good as you, my love. Why did you take me to the theater the other night if you did not wish us to get back together?”
“As a favor to you and Chloe, that’s all. Nothing more to it. Come downstairs with me.” He took her by the elbow and attempted to steer her out of his bedchamber.
“No, I will not go. Getherout of here.”
“Do not make it more embarrassing for yourself,” he warned. But she was intent on causing a scene.
“I am not leaving!” Jasmine glared at Berry. “Sheis the one who must leave!”
“Are you that blinded by jealousy?” Gideon spoke softly, but Berry could tell he was seething. “Do you not see she is injured? Lord Berwick was also hurt tonight and he is now settled inBonham’s bed. They almost died. How could her gashes and bruises have escaped your notice?”
“Hah! Too bad they didn’t die. They don’t belong here.Shedoesn’t belong with you. Her sort will never accept you.”
Gideon frowned. “What is wrong with you? Why aren’t you with Haverstock? What brought you here at this hour? Come downstairs and talk to me. You have been acting oddly lately, and I am very worried about you.”
“You think I am demented? Isn’t that a laugh,” she said harshly. “Perhaps I am. But it is men like you who have made me this way.”
Berry was listening intently to this exchange.
“No,” Gideon said firmly. “I offered you a respectable position, butyouchose this life for yourself. Do not blame me for the path you now regret.”
“I do not regret my choices!”
“Then why are you here?” Gideon appeared to be struggling to understand what was going on in this lady’s mind. “Why rage at Lady Berry when she has never done you any harm?”
“Because she does not need to lift a finger and has everything. And now, she even has you. Or is it the fact she is an heiress that attracts you?” She laughed once again. “Beware, Lady Berry. He can be quite persuasive when he wants to be. But do not be fooled by his charm. Beneath it all he is ruthless in getting what he wants, and in disposing of whoever he no longer desires. Run away from him while you can, because he will destroy you once he has you in his grip.”
“And yetyouwould return to me. Why, if I am as ruthless as you say?” Gideon asked.
The question seemed to confuse Jasmine. Unable to respond, she broke free of Gideon’s grasp and started toward Berry with her fingers curled into claws.
Gideon immediately stepped between them and drew her toward the door.
“You’ll both regret this! I’ll tell the gossip sheets all about you and her. Your precious Lady Berry will be ruined.”
