Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(25)

‘I cannot forgive the woman for leaving you all in such a way,’ declared Susannah. ‘As soon as I can get back to Bath I will make arrangements for another housekeeper to come in to look after you until Mrs Gifford returns.’

She went downstairs to find that the viscount had built up the fire in the parlour. A patch of melting snow near the hearth caught her eye.

‘Did you send Bessie out to find my footman? I meant to do it before I went upstairs, and charge him with bringing in coal for the fire.’

‘No, I brought it in myself.’ He laughed at her shocked countenance. ‘As Gerald told you, Miss Prentess, I am not at all high in the instep.’ He pointed to a tray on the side table. ‘I also found the coffee pot, so I have made some. I thought we might sit by the fire and take a cup together.’

‘Why, thank you, sir. But I should really be looking out what we can eat for dinner...’

‘There will be time for that presently. Sit down and talk to me.’

She allowed herself to be escorted to a chair and handed a steaming cup. She had to admit that after the trials of the morning it was pleasant just to sit, even if she was determined it could not be for long.

‘I have been thinking about the cost of running this house,’ he began. ‘I take it Mrs Wilby’s card parties help to pay for it.’

‘Yes.’

‘And you encourage the gentlemen of your acquaintance to attend, upon your aunt’s invitation, of course.’

She shot him a defiant look.

‘And why not? It is the gentlemen who have made this place necessary.’

Jasper sat back, surprised.

‘Is that what you really think?’

‘Of course. They court the young ladies, flatter and cajole them into allowing them to...’ She paused to put down her cup, using the moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. ‘These are young, innocent girls who have fallen for a seducer’s lies, heedless of the consequences.’ A dull flush coloured her cheeks as she remembered her own weakness. ‘It is too easily done, I fear.’

‘So you invite the men to your drawing room and fleece them.’

‘I do not cheat, sir. It is merely that we—Aunt Maude, Mrs Logan and I—we are all better at cards than most of our guests. And we never take more than fifty guineas at any one sitting.’

He ran a hand through his hair.

‘Susannah, it does not matter if it is fifty guineas or five thousand, you are still taking money off these people.’

‘It is not illegal.’

‘No, but it is not right. You are in effect running a gaming house.’

She crossed her arms, as if in defence.

‘It is for a good cause.’

‘Then tell your guests what you are about. Let them choose whether they want to support you.’

She gave a bitter laugh.

‘Support a house for fallen women? You have seen the reaction when one mentions such a subject. They would not give so much as a sou.’

‘You should set up a committee, get some of the Bath tabbies on your side.’

‘No. I prefer to do it my way.’

Jasper sat forwards, frowning.

‘But why? Why do you want to punish the young men so? Not all of them are wild and reckless, you know. Gerald Barnabus, for example.’ He saw the flash of consternation in her eyes, before the lashes swept down to veil them and a new suspicion hit him. ‘Does Gerald know about this place?’

There was a brief hesitation before she replied.

‘Yes. I let something slip and was obliged to tell him. He has been very helpful.’

‘And that is why you took two hundred guineas from him last year.’

‘Yes. We needed extra funds urgently, to set up the house for Odesse.’

He kept his eyes on her face.

‘Why was he escorting you to the jewellers the other day? You may as well tell me. If you do not I shall find out from Gerald when I get back to Bath.’

She was twisting her hands together in her lap and he remained silent, waiting for her to speak.

‘I needed money to pay the builder. I asked Gerald to come with me to the jewellers, to sell some of my aunt’s jewels.’

‘Your inheritance.’

She hung her head.

‘I thought the money could be better spent here.’

‘And just what did you sell?’

‘An emerald set, necklace, ear-drops, aigrette—totally unsuited to me.’

‘While you are single, yes.’ Jasper imagined how well the stones would look against her creamy skin, accentuating the green flecks in her eyes, and nestled amongst those glowing curls. ‘Once you are married—’

‘I shall never marry.’

The words were uttered with such force, such conviction, that Jasper’s brows snapped together.

‘That is a bold statement.’

‘It is true, nevertheless.’ She rose, shaking out her skirts. ‘I have seen how men treat women. It shall never happen to me. Now if you will excuse me—’

‘No, I will not.’ He jumped up and caught her arm. ‘You are very harsh upon our sex.’

‘And with some reason, my lord. Witness your own behaviour last night!’

‘No,’ he said slowly. ‘I think it goes beyond that.’

She looked alarmed and tried to free her arm.

‘Can you wonder if I am harsh, when the girls here tell me such tales? Now let me go, sir.’

‘Not until you tell me.’ He pulled her round to face him. ‘I saw it in your eyes last night. You were terrified.’

Her eyes flashed.

‘You flatter yourself!’

‘Not of me, but something has occurred. Something in your past.’ She stopped struggling and turned her head away, her lip trembling. He said gently, ‘Will you not tell me? Susannah—’

He was interrupted by a hasty knock on the door and he released her arm just as Bessie rushed in. She did not appear to notice them stepping apart, too caught up in her own news which she uttered in a scared, breathless voice.

‘I beg your pardon, Miss Prentess, but—Miss Jane sent me. She says...she says the baby is coming!’

Susannah did not exclaim or cry out. She stood for a moment, hands pressed to her cheeks as she dragged her thoughts to what the maid was saying.

‘We must send for the midwife.’ She went to the window. ‘At least we must try.’

Bessie peered over her shoulder.

‘But the snow is very thick, ma’am, and ’tis drifting.’

‘My footman, Lucas, should go. He is young and strong.’

‘It would be safer if there were two,’ said Jasper. ‘Morton shall go with him. Give me the midwife’s direction and I will go out to the stables and tell them.’

Susannah did not hesitate. Instructions were given and even before the viscount had left the house she ran upstairs. Jane was leaning against the wall, clutching at her stomach.

‘Mrs Gifford told me these pains would come,’ she gasped. ‘Slowly at first, but then more frequently.’

‘And how do they seem to you?’ asked Susannah.

Jane gave her a strained smile. ‘They are coming very quickly. I hope we can wait for the midwife.’

‘Oh my heavens, what shall we do?’

Susannah turned at the anguished cry to find Violet Anstruther standing in the doorway. Quickly she ushered the girl out of the room, telling her to look after Lizzie and her baby, then she turned her attention back to Jane, who was pacing up and down, her face very pale.

She calculated that the midwife could not be here for at least another hour and she busied herself with preparing the room, bringing in a crib and blankets and clothes for the new baby, then she helped Jane out of her gown. All the time she kept up a cheerful dialogue which was punctuated by Jane’s gasps each time the contractions took hold.

* * *

The heavy cloud had brought an early dusk and Susannah had given orders for the lamps to be lit. It was with relief that she heard the thud of the outer door and the low rumble of voices in the hall. She ran down the stairs. The chill of the air as she descended confirmed that the front door had been opened, but there were only three figures in the hall: the viscount, his groom and Lucas, her footman.

The two servants were covered in snow.

‘I beg your pardon, miss, but we didn’t make it.’ Lucas blew on his hands and his teeth chattered when he spoke. ‘The snow is breast high across the road and we couldn’t get through. And we daren’t risk crossing the fields for the snow is falling so thick ’tis impossible to see more than an arm’s length in front of you and we wouldn’t have known which direction we should go.’

Susannah tried hard not to let her disappointment show.

‘Very well, thank you for your efforts. If you go into the kitchen Bessie will find you something hot to drink.’