Time to go downstairs.
Robert looked over his notes one more time to get them in his head. He did not want to hold the sheets but writing everything down helped him decide what to say—and not say. He headed down the steps, slowing as the murmurs quieted.
He nodded at the guard and the reporter. “Jasper, what are you doing here?”
Jasper, who could not have been more than five and twenty, shrugged the guard’s hand off his shoulder. “Got wind of a story, Robbie. That right?”
Robert glanced at the guard. “Let him stay.” As the guard moved away, Robert looked back at Jasper. “Try to report it accurately.”
As he looked over the dozens of expectant faces, Robert rolled his shoulders and took a deep breath.
“Nora wants you to know how grateful she is for all the callers, the food, and those of you who came out to the funeral. She could not speak much last night, but I talked to her this afternoon. It means a great deal to her, and she knows you are mourning Bill as much as they are. She also wants you to know that you are welcome at their home at any time. She is not moving.”
“Is she closing the emporium?”
The call came from a cluster of folks on his left. So much for leading into it. “Campion’s Gentlemen’s Emporium will re-open tonight, as I indicated yesterday. There are no plans to close it at this time.”
“Will she sell it? Can’t see that lady running it.”
So much for writing out a planned speech. “There are no plans to sell.”
“What will she do about the other—”
“Oh, for God’s sake, I am Bill Campion’s heir. I will inherit his company and thus all the businesses. I meet with Nora and the solicitor on Thursday to start the transfer and the probate on the estate. Until that happens, we will try to go on as we always have.”
The sudden silence unnerved him, and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
Lucy stepped a little closer to the stairs. “Why’re ya soundin’ so posh?”
Well, this was awkward.
He looked down at her. “Because,” he said quietly, “I am posh.”
More silence. Then Lucy slowly grinned, turned to the girl next to her, and smacked her on the arm. “Told ya.”
The girl smacked her back. “Ya didn’t! Ya said he were rich. Rich ain’t always posh!”
Lucy shoved her. “Mostly is.” She looked back at Robert. “Ain’t it?”
Murmurs shot through the crowd, slowly growing louder.
How had he lost control this soon?He glanced at Gilley, who leaned up against the wall, arms crossed, a smug expression on his face. The big man shrugged.
“Are ya really posh? A toff?” This came from one of the newly hired dealers.
Robert straightened and held out his hands. “Please! I really am trying to explain!”
The crowd quieted, but an undercurrent of conversation continued.
“I had a speech all prepared with all the information I needed to share with you, but that cart has quite overturned. So I ask that you listen for a few minutes, then I will answer any questions you want to ask.
“Most of this will become public knowledge within a few days. I wanted you to hear it first. First, my name—my real name—is Robert Ashton, and, yes, I am a toff. My father is the Duke of Kennet.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Lucy sputtered.
Robert ignored her. “I’ve known Bill Campion for more than a decade. I met him unexpectedly and he took me in when my family could not. I started gambling here, and I became Robbie Green almost by accident. I started helping out Bill on the floor, and he thought a disguise would make it go easier when dealing with all the other toffs. It was meant to be only for a few weeks. Instead, being Robbie Green has been a major part of my life. This emporium has become a major part of my life. So have you.
“And the idea that it would make ‘dealing with the other toffs’ has backfired. Because it will not be Robbie Green who inherits Bill Campion’s estate. It will be Robert Ashton. And it will be a scandal. My father has disowned me—as will most of my friends in the aristocracy. My betrothal is at risk. Because I chose to partner with Bill Campion instead of my father.
