Pudge cast Gideon a pleading look. “She’s one of us. Even if she has turned into a witch this past month. I understand why now. Can I have an advance on my wages? I’ll find comfortable lodgings for her close by and do what I can to make her comfortable in her last days.”
“I can also help tend her,” Chloe volunteered. “Frankly, I don’t care if myservicesare terminated by my benefactor. He’s no prize, anyway.”
Gideon shook his head. “I’ll pay for Jasmine’s lodgings and care. Chloe, would you be willing to look after her in the way she needs? Or should I hire a caretaker with some medical knowledge, a companion to live with her and attend to her night and day?”
“I’ll do it. She’s my friend. But if you wouldn’t mind, it would help to have someone come by for a few hours a day to show me what to do for her.” She looked up at them with a pained look on her face. “I know Jasmine has been awful to you lately, Mr. Knight. But she is the closest thing I have to a sister. She was often vain and insufferable, even as we were growing up. But can you understand why I must take this upon myself?”
“Yes,” Gideon said. He well understood this feeling of kinship, for none of them had anyone but each other. Those in the Musket Club were their family.
“I’ll kick in my share,” Bonham said, giving Gideon a look he well understood.
Family needed to take care of each other.
Gideon had been so angry with Jasmine, but it was senseless now. He could not condone her jealousy when coming upon Berry in his bed at the club, but he understood the grief and fear she must have been feeling. She had just been given a death sentence, and there was Berry being given everything poor Jasmine had always wished for.
Including him.
Perhaps Jasmine had loved him. In her own selfish way, of course. Theirs had never been more than a casual relation. She dropped him whenever a rich benefactor came along and returned to him whenever she was bored or between men.
He was not going to remember her as a saint, for she was far from it. But if they did not look after her, then no one else would. As irritating as Jasmine could be, she did not deserve to die forgotten.
He and Bonham lost several hours in getting her comfortably settled in a pleasant apartment close to the club. Pudge, Henry, and William helped Chloe move her belongings out of her benefactor’s Curzon Street love nest and into the new place. Joss made certain to send over plentiful food and supplies for them.
“I’ll stop by daily to look in on you both,” Pudge said. “Let me know if you need anything, Chloe.”
She nodded, and then took Gideon and Bonham aside. “This disease kills fast, says Dr. Farthingale. You offered Jasmine employment as a hostess at the Musket Club once. Would that position be open for me afterward?”
Bonham nodded. “It is yours whenever the time comes, if you want it. Greeting responsibilities only. If any patron makes improper advances, he will be tossed out. Your role would be to present a smiling face, an occasional sympathetic ear, and ensure our patrons promptly receive the drinks they have ordered. That’s it. No bedding our patrons. The club has never been that sort of place, and we will not have it turned into something other than an honest gaming establishment.”
“I am done with that, I assure you.” She nodded. “Thank you.”
With Jasmine now looked after, they went to obtain their licenses.
Afterward, they rode to Duchess Square, Bonham heading to the Carstairs residence where Suzanna and her cousin, Gwendolyn, were no doubt eager to see him.
Gideon strode to Berry’s home.
Melton greeted him at the door. “Good afternoon, Mr. Knight. Lady Berry informed us you were a stunning success last night.”
Gideon grinned. “Thank you, but we know it was Lady Berry who made me look good. Where is she?”
“Seated on the terrace.” The butler led Gideon out to her.
Berry was all smiles as she rose to meet him. “Mrs. Garland was so eager to hear all about the ball, so I spent the last hour telling her how marvelous you were. She’s sleeping now, and my throat was so parched from doing all the talking that I thought to sit out here and enjoy a glass of lemonade. Care for some? Or would you prefer a stiffer drink?”
“No, I’m good.”
She took a closer look at him. “Oh, I don’t think so. You look troubled. Is something the matter?”
He told her about Jasmine. “That’s why I was late in coming over here.”
Berry put a hand to her throat in obvious dismay. “I am truly sorry. Is there anything I can do for her?”
“For the woman who wanted to scratch your eyes out?” He knew it was not in Berry’s nature to be malicious, but was surprised that she would actually extend a hand to help out Jasmine after the woman had been so insulting while Berry was struggling to recover from her own injuries.
“Oh, I did want to see her get her comeuppance in that moment. But holding on to anger and resentment serves no purpose. I do not wish ill on anyone, not even her. I am terribly sorry for her. It is a very cruel outcome.”
Were the roles reversed, he doubted Jasmine would have shown her the same kindness. But this was the reason he had fallen in love with Berry, for her soft heart and generous nature. “I got the marriage license.”
