Page 21 of Baron in Check
CHAPTER 11
Hermy had been given her own bedchamber with an adjacent bathroom that even had gas light and running hot water. Greg’s staff had been kind but Hermy overhead the whispers in the background. As embarrassed as she felt, Greg had welcomed her with such kindness that she bathed, curled her hair, and put on one of the dresses that had been delivered for her. Even if the staff saw her as the fallen girl, Greg saw her the way she felt around him. When she was with him, she was not merely hibernating under her brother’s icy rule but blossoming with the strength of a climbing rose that could reach even the highest points of a tower. In chess it wasn’t for naught that a rook looked liked a tower and was worth five points.
Greg had been out most of the day, but he’d arranged for her favorite foods to be served in her chambers.
As she descended in the evening, Hermy saw the light was on in Greg’s study, and she slowly approached. She heard a voice other than his.
“So it’s done?” Greg asked.
“Yes, here’s the application with the seal.”
“And the rest?” Greg asked again.
“Uncle Gustav will speak to the Prince?—”
“The prince? As in George?” Hermy stormed in when she recognized the other man: Arnold Ehrlich.
“Oh Hermy, good evening,” Greg said.
Arnold Ehrlich stood slack-jawed and eyed her right back.
“Hello Arnold.”
He cleared his throat, stepped toward her, bowed, and lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. “Hermy, what a pleasure to see you again,” Arnold shot Greg a look but then smiled warmly at her. “I heard of your brother’s accident, and I’m so sorry. My deepest condolences.”
“Thank you.” She curtsied. “He was trampled by a beastly horse. I suppose everyone gets what they deserve.”
Arnold chuckled. “She’s the right queen for the Black Knight’s army.” He nodded and raised his brow in Greg’s direction. “It’s good to see her back as her old spirited self.”
Oh, how lovely Arnold was. She’d forgotten his impeccable manners and looks, but she’d missed sharing witty banter with him and Fave. How wonderful that Greg still had them in his life. Arnold and Fave had kept their secret, even though they’d found her in Greg’s room several times. If there was something the Pearlers mastered, it was discretion and integrity. Despite what society made of it, when the Pearlers saw love, they protected it.
“I overheard your conversation. What’s done? And Prinny? Seriously?” She walked to Greg, but he avoided her gaze.
“Arnold, thank you, but I need to speak with?—”
“I completely understand.” Arnold bowed to Hermy. “It was a pleasure to see you again and I hope for many more returns.”
“That’ll be all, A-r-n-o-l-d,” Greg growled playfully, but he didn’t seem angry. Instead, a sly grin spread across his face, his eyes twinkling with a blend of boyish conspiracy and sheer determination that made Hermy’s breath hitch again. Or was it her heart that always forgot to beat in Greg’s presence?
Arnold left with a smirk and shut the door behind him.
Odd but effective. They were finally alone again.
“He’s changed.” Hermy recognized traces of the Arnold she’d known five years ago in the elegant adult.
Greg sighed and reached for her hand. “He grew up. He’s a father and a husband.”
“Good for him.”
Greg faced her with a solemn look and reached for her hand. “I’d like to be one, too. For you. Ahem … not your father, I mean.” Greg dropped her hand and rubbed the back of his neck. “This is harder than I thought.”
“You’d never be my father, Greg.”
“I wouldn’t want to be.” He returned to her side and held out his hand, palm up. “But it would mean so much if you’d agreed to take me as your husband.”
“I already did.” Hermy hesitated to take his hand.
“Not because I’m the kinder choice over David. Because of me.”
