“What’s not far?” Her tone was guarded.
“You’ll see.” He headed for the exit of the park.
She didn’t talk for the rest of the promenade, but he could bet she was pondering how to deal with Paul.
Sitting in the hansom cab next to her, Keith changed his mind. What if she got angry once she saw his gymnasium? His project was a copy of what her father had done. Even Paul had started a similar project in New York City, influenced by Keith. She might not appreciate it. He shifted on the seat, running the possible outcomes in his mind.
“Is something the matter?” She narrowed her gaze. She already hated him—or at the very least, disliked him—it was better if she learnt the whole truth about him. If she decided to leave his house, so be it. He’d find a way to take care of her anyway.
“I wonder what you might think of my project. You might not like it.”
A golden eyebrow rose. “Why? You will make me think the worst. What’s your venture?”
The cab rolled to a stop in front of a red brick building. The front door gleamed with freshly applied timber polish, and the sunlight glinted off the windows.
“Here we are.” Keith climbed out first and helped her out.
Mistrust radiated from her in waves. If she hated his project, there wouldn’t be much he could do.
He pushed the set of double doors open, and the smell of sweat, worn leather, and beeswax wafted in the air. Young people sparred or threw shadow punches around the training hall. Punching bags, benches, weights, and a sparring ring competed for space. The loud chatter and laughter covered the noise of the punches. Several heads turned towards him as he stepped inside.
“The viscount.”
“His Lordship is here!”
“Lord Ashford.”
He smiled at the small crowd of young men and women surrounding him. Curious glances were thrown at Violante.
“Sir.” Matthew, one of the youngest boys, wrapped his short arms around Keith’s legs and gave him a toothless smile. “I’m learning to swim.”
“Well done.” He ruffled the boy’s dark curls.
Matthew released him. “Once I can swim, I can work at the docks. My mum wants to learn to swim, too.”
“She’s welcome here any time.” Keith patted the boy’s shoulder.
“Some people came to St. Giles,” Matthew said. “They said they’d take our home and demolish it. They said we must leave. I don’t want to leave. We don’t have anywhere else to go.”
Alas, Keith knew about that. The count’s building was highly desirable, and many businessmen—including Sir Howard’s son—had already started planning and getting ready to invest in it; they wanted to renovate it and turn it into some type of establishment, even though the count hadn’t decided to whom he wanted to sell. Seizing the shacks around the building was what many investors wanted to do first. Not Keith.
Other boys nodded. Mutters spread. Violante threw Keith a puzzled look.
“I’ll do everything I can to help you,” Keith said. “For now, you have work to do.”
After a loud round of greetings and handshakes, he walked around the hall. Violante had remained silent while he’d chatted with his charges, praising them for their small and big triumphs. The people he’d hired to teach these children to spar, swim, and exercise came from the streets as well. Like him.
When he and Violante remained alone in a corner of the hall, he shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting for her reaction.
She cleared her throat. “You built a gymnasium.”
“This is only the first. I’m planning to build a new one in St. Giles.” He waved to gesture at the wide hall. “With the title came land and buildings. This is one of my properties. This gymnasium turned out to be a success. These children and young men don’t spend time in the streets, stealing or joining gangs. I provide food and clothes for them while they learn to box and swim. Many of them want to become police officers. Others will find employment at my shipping company. I receivedonations from businessmen and a few peers. I have more than enough funds to expand.”
“My father’s idea,” she said in a low voice.
That was the moment of truth. His heart gave a quick kick. “Yes. His gymnasium helped me more than I can tell, and I want to do the same for other children. The building in St. Giles is perfect for my second training centre, and if I own it, no one will be kicked out of their homes. Surely, someone who has very different plans from mine paid a visit to St. Giles to scare the people living there.”
She pressed her lips together, her cheeks flushing. Not a word left her mouth.
