“My point is, the wait is going to kill me. Do you think Suzanna and Berry are going to insist on lavishtonweddings?”
“Lord, I hope not. But it is one of the things Berry and I will be talking about today.”
Bonham nodded. “I’ll wait to see what you two decide. Suzanna has a mind of her own, but in this I think she will be influenced by Berry’s decision.”
Gideon slept later than usual, enjoying the unexpected morning of leisure while Pudge and Joss took care of the tasks normally left to him and Bonham.
But he was also eager to get the marriage license, so he made no fuss when Horace walked in and opened the drapes wide to reveal a sunny day. “Rise and shine, Mr. Knight.”
“Botheration, must you be so cheerful in the morning, Horace?”
“Did you remember every detail of Lady Berry’s gown? Did she look spectacular? Was she wearing a tiara or just gems threaded through her hair?”
“Yes, she was wearing a gown. It was white. She looked like an angel. I wanted to ravish her.”
“Because you are a naughty devil. May I say, that report was completely unhelpful. I’ll just have to wait for the fashion articles in the gossip rags. And I see you are alive and breathing, so your cravat was not too tight and did not strangle you.”
Gideon chuckled. “But I might strangleyouif you don’t stop talking now.”
Of course, Horace ignored him and continued to chatter while Gideon washed and dressed. “See, Mr. Knight,” he said, turning Gideon toward the mirror so he could look at himself once Horace had finished. “Is that a duke or is that a duke?”
“Neither, actually. But you did a fine job of making me look like a gentleman, as you always do. Thank you, Horace. I am most grateful.”
Horace beamed. “My pleasure, Mr. Knight.”
Gideon then grabbed a bite to eat before he and Bonham walked out of the club together, on their way to St. Mary’s, the Mayfair church that the ladies on Duchess Square attended.
They hadn’t gone far before they saw Chloe and Pudge helping someone who appeared to have fallen and was in distress.
“Blessed saints,” Gideon muttered. “Is that Jasmine?”
Bonham followed his gaze. “Dear heaven, it is. Come on, we had better help.”
They ran toward them. Jasmine seemed weak and on the verge of fainting.
“What happened?” Gideon asked.
“Oh, Mr. Knight!” Chloe was trying to hold back her tears. “She wouldn’t tell you, but she’s dying.”
“What? How?” Bonham asked.
“Something about her pancreas, Dr. Farthingale told her. Jasmine said it was the same disease what killed her mother.”
“Oh, hell,” Gideon said with a groan. He knew Jasmine’s mother had died young, and that was why Jasmine was brought to St. Brigid’s.
“Hell, indeed,” Bonham muttered.
Gideon’s heart sank, for he would never wish this outcome on her. “She looked fine when the three of us went to the theater a few weeks ago. Did she know then?”
Chloe nodded. “Yes, but I had no idea. She told me later that night, after you had escorted us home. I wanted to tell you, but she wouldn’t let me. She didn’t want word getting around. I think she was in denial. If no one knew, then it could not be happening. Haverstock dropped her as soon as he realized something was wrong. The cur told her to leave the townhouse he had let for her.”
“Typical nob,” Pudge muttered with disdain.
Chloe nodded. “She’s been staying with me this past week, but my benefactor does not want her around.”
“Arse,” Bonham said under his breath. “They’re all alike.”
Chloe was more practical about it. “He’s paying formyservices andmyattention. He wants privacy. Discretion. He does not want a sick woman in the bedchamber next to ours. I would rather he were the one to leave, but he’s paid for my lodgings. The lease is in his name, not mine.”
