Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(23)

The horses were fresh and Jasper had to concentrate to keep them in check as they trotted through the quiet streets. It was early yet, and the snow was keeping all but the very hardy indoors. Once they had crossed the bridge and were settled upon the Wells Road he gave them their heads and they rattled along at a cracking pace. It was snowing heavily now, coating the ground and hedges and making it difficult to see far ahead. Beside him, Morton hunched down into his coat and muttered occasionally about the folly of travelling in such weather. Jasper was beginning to agree with him and was contemplating abandoning his journey when the snow eased and the dense cloud lifted a little.

‘There, we shall go on easily now.’

‘Aye, my lord, ‘til the weather sets in again,’ retorted Morton with all the familiarity of an old and trusted retainer. ‘I mislike the look of that sky. If you was to ask me we should turn back now.’

Jasper looked up. The grey, sullen clouds matched his mood exactly.

‘Well I am not asking you,’ he snapped ‘You applied goose-fat to the horses’ feet, didn’t you, to prevent the snow from balling? So we should be good for a few hours yet. We shall turn back once I have discovered Miss Prentess’s secret and not before.’

The journey had done much to cool Jasper’s temper but nothing to quell his determination to find out what could persuade Susannah to drive out on such a morning. This had nothing to do with Gerald, it was purely for his own satisfaction. His wrists were still sore from that silk rope, but he was not a vindictive man, he bore her no grudge for that... Well, not much of a grudge. The woman intrigued him. She had rejected him, and he was not used to that. On the contrary most women were only too willing to accept his advances.

When he and his twin had entered society as young men they had the advantages of being wealthy and handsome. The ladies had literally fallen at their feet and they had learned to take such adulation as their due. They had flirted outrageously and become known as the dark and notorious Coale twins. Now, Jasper had the added advantage of a title. He had never had to fight for a woman in his life. He had only to cast his discerning eye upon a female and in most cases she would fall eagerly into his arms. If a lady showed any reluctance then he shrugged and moved on. No rancour, no regret.

He wondered if he had become too complacent, arrogant, even, where women were concerned. He had never had to work for their good opinion, merely taken it for granted. He had always assumed that when he eventually fell in love the lady would feel the same and it had come as something of a shock three years ago when he had proposed to Zelah Pentewan and been refused. However, she was head over heels in love with his twin and he could understand that, only berating himself for not discovering the state of the lady’s affections before offering her his hand.

Zelah had taught him a salutary lesson and Jasper had been content to leave his heart behind when he returned to town to continue his bachelor lifestyle. The women in London were as eager as ever for his attentions, but somehow the attraction of such a carefree life had palled. Perhaps it was seeing his twin so happily married, but for the past three years Jasper had felt a curious restlessness. He had hidden it well, continued to flirt with all the prettiest ladies, was the most obliging guest at any party, but knowing his heart to be safe at Rooks Tower with his sister-in-law he had never felt the least inclination to offer marriage to any one of the beautiful débutantes paraded before him, much to the

chagrin of their hopeful parents. Not one of them had made any impression upon him, had stirred him to make the least effort. Yet here he was, risking his precious team on snow-covered roads to pursue a woman who had made it abundantly clear that she did not want his attentions.

But this was nothing to do with the fact that she was a woman, and a very beautiful one at that. She had got the better of him, and that rankled. Lord, what an arrogant fool he had become!

‘Beggin’ yer pardon, m’lord, I don’t see there’s much to laugh at,’ grumbled Morton, sinking his chin deeper into his muffler.

‘I am laughing at myself,’ Jasper told him, still grinning.

‘You’ll be laughing yerself into the parson’s mousetrap if you ain’t very careful.’

‘What?’ Jasper’s head whipped round and he stared at his groom. ‘I have no interest in the woman in that way. Marriage to such a virago? Good God, I can think of nothing worse.’

‘Seems to me you are putting yerself out a great deal over her.’

‘Fustian! It’s just that there is something smoky about Miss Prentess, and I am determined to find out what it is.’

Jasper gave his attention to his driving. Perhaps he was being foolish. He could have paid someone to find out everything about the woman and saved himself the trouble.

‘Turning’s up here, sir,’ said the groom. ‘On the right.’

And if this outing did not solve the mystery that is what he would do, he decided as he turned into a narrow lane,

The snow lay inches deep and unbroken through the lane. Jasper proceeded cautiously. There could be deep ruts beneath the snow, waiting to catch the unwary. The track was descending into a wooded valley and the groom pointed out their destination on the far side. Jasper slowed and peered through the trees at the collection of buildings.

‘It looks like a gentleman’s house, my lord. What will they say to us turning up uninvited?’

‘I shall use the weather as my excuse.’ Jasper gave a little flick of the whip to move the team on.

* * *

Ten minutes later they drew up in front of the house. No one came out to greet them and apart from the smoke spiralling up from a couple of the chimneys there was no sign of life. Jasper jumped down and went to the door. The weathered oak panels shook as he forcefully applied the knocker. A biting wind had sprung up and when a flustered housemaid opened the door he immediately stepped into the hall.

‘Good day,’ he said pleasantly. ‘Pray tell your master or mistress that—’

He got no further. Standing in a doorway at the far end of the hall, and holding a baby in her arms, was Susannah.





Chapter Nine

‘Miss Prentess. Good day to you.’

Jasper made his bow, his brain reeling. Whatever he had expected, it was not this. He had seen Susannah’s horrified look when he had appeared, but she recovered quickly.

‘Lord Markham.’ She hesitated and glanced down at the sleeping baby. ‘Will you not come in, sir?’

He could see behind her a comfortable parlour with a cheerful fire.

‘I would be delighted, madam, but first I must look after the horses, I do not like to leave them standing in this weather.’

He let the words hang and watched her expression carefully. She would like to send him to the rightabout but she knew he would not go quietly. Her gaze shifted to the housemaid still hovering by the door.

‘Bessie, direct my lord’s groom to the stables, if you please.’

‘Thank you.’ Jasper followed her into the parlour and shut the door.

As soon as they were alone she turned on him.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘I followed you.’ He stripped off his gloves, surprised to find his hands were shaking slightly. ‘I am curious to know what you are about.’ There was an odd lightness in his chest, but he dare not ask the question that was now uppermost in his mind. He must be patient. Now he was here she would tell him everything. She must.

She was looking uncertain and his surprise and anger gave way to concern. He said gently, ‘Will you not sit down?

She did so, gently settling the baby more comfortably in her arms before fixing her eyes upon him once more.

‘My lord, why do you persist in this? I can assure you this has nothing to do with you, or your cousin. Is that not enough for you?’

‘No. I want to know what is this place, and why you are here. I will not leave until I have answers.’

With a sigh she sank back in the chair.

‘Very well. You are in Florence House, sir. A home for...distressed gentlewomen.’

‘And the child in your arms?’

‘The son of one of our...guests. He is only a few weeks old. His mother is very tired and the babe was crying so I brought him downstairs to see if I could settle him.’

Jasper realised he had been holding his breath until that moment.

‘But why have you kept this so secret?’

Her lip curled.

‘You were in Royal Crescent when the Magdalen Hospital was discussed with Amelia Bulstrode and Mrs Farthing. I am sure you overhead the whole. It is considered quite...improper for an unmarried lady to have any interest in such matters. That I have strong views about it is considered shocking enough. If they knew the extent of my involvement—’

‘And what is the extent of it, Miss Prentess?’

She put up her chin and looked at him defiantly.

‘This is my house, one of the properties my uncle left me in his will. When I came to Bath last year I met up again with Mrs Logan. During one of our conversations it emerged that a young lady she knew was with child. She had eloped, left her home and her friends to run off with a man who had sworn to marry her, but later he abandoned her. She could not go back to her family, and fortunately Kate—Mrs Logan—came upon her and took her in. When she told me of it, I too was keen to help the poor girl, and others like her, so we decided to open up this house to give them refuge.