Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(12)

‘If there is resentment on either side, the match is doomed to failure. But having said that, he should know the damage he has caused. Too many men think that women are put on earth purely for their pleasure.’ She looked up, a challenge in her eyes. ‘I would have the father face up to the consequences of his actions. But whoever he may be he will not do so, and the poor girl is cast off to make her own way as best she can.’

‘She will no doubt find her way to Walcot Street,’ said Mrs Farthing, overhearing. ‘It is a Magdalen Hospital, after all, and the right place for such women, though heaven knows there are more entrants than we can accommodate at the present.’

Mrs Bulstrode fluttered her hands in agitation.

‘My dear Mrs Farthing, I am not sure we should be discussing this here, now...’

Her eyes darted about the room, and Jasper quickly moved to the mirror to adjust his neckcloth. He saw her glance flit over Gerald, who was studiously brushing a fleck of dust from his sleeve and avoiding everyone’s eyes. Susannah was not so reticent. She stepped into the group.

‘If you fear for my sensibilities then pray do not be anxious,’ she replied, her head up. ‘I am no innocent miss fresh from the schoolroom and I think this is a subject that should be discussed in every lady’s drawing room.’ She turned her challenging eyes upon Mrs Farthing. ‘I believe you are on the committee for Walcot Street Penitentiary, are you not, ma’am?’

‘I am. We do our best to teach the inmates the folly of their ways...’

‘Inmates. Yes, I believe the young women there are more prisoners than patients.’

Mrs Farthing’s thin lips curved into a patronising smile.

‘My dear Miss Prentess, these young women come to us in desperation and we look after them. In return, of course we demand their compliance. They arrive sick, often with child. We look after them, train them in an occupation and put them out to service where we can.’

‘We?’ Susannah’s voice was deceptively sweet. ‘You take an active interest in these poor women, do you, ma’am? Perhaps you take your daughters to visit them.’

‘Heavens, my dear, what can you be thinking of?’ declared Mrs Bulstrode with a nervous laugh. ‘Mrs

Farthing didn’t mean that, I am sure.’

‘Of course not. Why, Mr Farthing would never allow me to set foot in such a place, let alone our daughters. It would be to risk physical and moral contagion.’

Jasper saw the light of battle in Susannah’s eyes, but before she could reply Mrs Wilby swept forwards.

‘Dear me, where is that girl with the water? Mrs Sanstead, I am sure you would like more tea, and the General, too. This cold weather we are having is very drying on the throat, don’t you find?’ She bustled towards the tea-table. ‘Susannah, dearest, ring the bell again, if you please. We cannot have our guests go thirsty...’

Jasper sauntered over to Gerald.

‘A skilful interruption,’ he murmured appreciatively. ‘Pity. The conversation was becoming interesting. Far better than the usual dull inanities.’

Gerald gave him a distracted smile.

‘Indeed, but some of the guests are uncomfortable with the subject in mixed company.’

‘But not all.’ Jasper fixed his eyes on Susannah, who had approached with a cup of tea for Gerald. ‘Miss

Prentess advocates more discussion about the Magdalen Hospital, do you not, madam?’

She handed the cup to Gerald, saying as she did so, ‘It would do no harm for young women to be a little more informed on these matters. If they knew the risks of flirting with gentlemen they would be more cautious.’

‘You disapprove of flirting?’

‘It can be very dangerous.’

‘It can also be very enjoyable.’

Susannah turned her head to find him regarding her, that familiar, disturbing glint in his eye. She discovered that her breathing was restricted, as if Dorcas had laced her corsets too tightly. Yet the sensation was not unpleasant. Enjoyable.

He is flirting with me.

Sudden panic filled her, turning her bones to water so that she was unable to move. Those intense, blue-grey eyes held her gaze. She felt like a small animal in thrall to some predator. She swallowed, desperately trying to regain her composure. The glint in his eyes deepened to pure amusement and a sudden spurt of anger released her.

She stepped back, distancing herself. She could excuse herself and move away, but such was her perverse nature that she preferred to make a retort.

‘Enjoyable? Yes, if both parties know it is nothing more than a game.’

‘So you do not disapprove.’

She forced herself to hold his gaze.

Walk away, Susannah. Walk away now. Instead, she lifted her chin.

‘I disapprove of gentlemen who take advantage of innocent young women.’

He moved closer, filling the space she had made between them and setting her skin tingling with anticipation.

‘But you are no innocent miss,’ he murmured provocatively. ‘You said so yourself.’

‘Jasper, do not tease her so!’ Gerald’s laughing protest hardly registered.

Susannah’s brows lifted. She continued to give Jasper look for look.

‘Then you will not be able to take advantage of me, my lord.’

‘No?’ The gleam in his eyes became even more pronounced. If she was fanciful she could imagine twin devils dancing there.

Devilishly handsome, Kate had called him. The faint, upward curve to his mouth brought the words rushing back to her.

‘Is that a challenge, Miss Prentess?’ His voice was low, sliding over her skin like cool silk and raising the hairs at the back of her neck.

Gerald was watching them, his smile uncertain and a faint crease in his brow. Common sense reasserted itself, yet Susannah’s stubborn pride would not let her bow her head and move away. Instead she gave the viscount a haughty smile.

‘Of course not. I would not have you waste your time.’

She excused herself and walked off, head high, hoping her knees would not buckle beneath her. What was she doing, responding to him in that way? As well tease a wild animal! The last thing she needed was to have him paying attention to her.

Jasper watched her walk away and realised he was smiling. The blood thrummed through his body, a sure sign that he had enjoyed the interchange.

‘Jasper?’

He looked up to find Gerald regarding him.

‘Jasper, I won’t have you pursuing Miss Prentess if you mean nothing but mischief. She is too good, too honourable, to deserve that.’

He observed the slightly anxious look in Gerald’s eyes. Good? Honourable? Perhaps she was, but why then should she lie about being abroad in her carriage that morning? He still wanted an answer to that one, but he was experienced enough to know that he would not get it today. He shrugged.

‘Believe me, Gerald, I have never intended mischief towards any young lady. Let us take our leave. I have had enough tea for one day.’

* * *

‘Oh heavens, I have never been so uncomfortable in all my life.’

Mrs Wilby sank back in her chair and fanned herself vigorously once the last of their visitors was shown out. Susannah was standing by the window but she turned at this.

‘No, ma’am, and why should that be?’

‘My dear, I never thought to hear such things in our drawing room. The talk of, of fallen women and by-blows—and with gentlemen present, too! I am sure General Sanstead did not know where to look.’

‘I thought the General took it rather well,’ mused Susannah.

‘But what of Mr Barnabus, and Lord Markham? I am sure they must have overheard the conversation.’

Susannah frowned.

‘If it were not for gentlemen such as they, many of these girls would not be in such dire straits, and girls like Miss Anstruther would not be thrown on to the streets.’

‘Ah, yes.’ Mrs Wilby sighed. ‘That poor child. I do hope she is safe.’

‘There at least I can put your mind at rest.’ Susannah came away from the window, smiling slightly as Mrs Wilby’s mouth dropped open.

‘What! Never say she is...’

‘Yes, she is our newest client. I took her to Florence House this morning.’





Chapter Five

Jasper spent the following week doing everything he could to distract his cousin’s thoughts from Susannah. It seemed to work—he even persuaded Gerald to accompany him to the theatre rather than attend the card party in Royal Crescent. Gerald was happy enough to go with him and he never once mentioned Miss Prentess. Perversely, she was rarely out of Jasper’s thoughts. He told himself it was the unanswered questions he had about the woman and nothing to do with their last exchange, the way she had boldly returned his gaze, challenged him to flirt with her. That merely showed how dangerous she was to innocents like Gerald.