Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(3)

‘But everyone said—’

‘I know what everyone said, but that particular rumour was spread by one of Mr Edmonds’s friends, Mr Warwick. He was angry because I would not take an IOU from him last week and sent him home before supper.’

‘Ay, yes, I remember Mr Warwick.’ Mrs Wilby nodded.

‘It was quite clear that he was drinking too much and was in no fit state to be in a respectable establishment.’

‘And in no fit state to play at cards, which is more to the point,’ added Susannah. ‘But he did make me a very handsome apology later, so he is forgiven.’ She jumped up. ‘But enough of this. I am for the Pump Room, then back via Duffields, to find something to read. Will you come with me?’

‘Gladly. I hope we shall find old friends at the Pump Room to converse with.’

Susannah’s eyes twinkled wickedly.

‘And I hope we shall find new friends to invite to our next card party!’





Chapter Two

The damp February weather made for a dirty journey north, but Jasper spent only one night on the road and arrived at Mrs Barnabus’s house at Hotwells shortly after mid-day. He was ushered in by a butler whose sombre mien led him to wonder if he had maligned his relative, and she was in fact at death’s door. However, when he was shown into the elegant drawing room, Mrs Barnabus appeared to be in her usual state of health. She came forwards to meet him, hands held out and shawls trailing from her thin shoulders.

‘Markham, my dear cousin, how good of you to call.’ Her voice was as frail as her person, but Jasper knew there was a will of iron inside the waif-like body. He took the hand held out to him and kissed it punctiliously. The fingers curled around his hand like claws. ‘So good of you to come out of your way, when you know I have no room to put you up here.’

‘Yes, wasn’t it?’ he replied cheerfully.

She sank on to the sofa, trying to pull him down with her, but he freed himself and drew up a chair.

‘You are on your way back to London, Markham?’

‘Yes. I hope to reach Corsham tonight. Well, Gloriana, what can I do for you?’

Her sigh was audible.

‘So like your dear father.’

‘Devil a bit, madam. He wouldn’t have put himself out to come here at all. He would have sent a servant to find out what it was you wanted.’

Gloriana looked a trifle discomposed at this but she recovered quickly and gave him a wan smile.

‘In looks, my dear boy, in looks. And how is your poor, scarred soldier-brother?’

The epithet grated on Jasper but he concealed it.

‘Dominic is prospering. And very happy with his growing family. Now, Gloriana, tell me why you have summoned me here.’

The widow wrung her hands and uttered dramatically, ‘It is Gerald.’

‘I thought as much. What has the boy done?’

This cool response drew a reproachful look from the widow.

‘So charming yet so implacable.’ She sighed. ‘No wonder you break so many hearts.’

‘Not intentionally, ma’am, I assure you.’ He took out his watch. ‘I am sorry to hurry you, Gloriana, but my curricle is waiting and I do not want to keep the horses standing too long in this cold weather. Tell me about Gerald.’

‘Your manners, Markham, leave a lot to be desired.’

‘But a moment ago you were telling me I was charming.’

Mrs Barnabus struggled with herself. She would have liked to give the viscount a sharp set-down but she wanted his help, and she was very much afraid if she ordered him to apologise or be on his way, he would choose the latter option. The fact that he was well aware of her inner turmoil did nothing to improve her temper. She forgot her plaintive tone and spoke curtly.

‘He has formed a disastrous attachment.’

Jasper’s black brows rose.

‘Really? That does not sound like Gerald. When I’ve met him in town I have always thought him a level-headed young buck.’

Apart from a faint moue of distaste she ignored his description of her beloved son.

‘That is why I am so concerned. He came to see me before Christmas, extolling the virtues of this woman—a very paragon she sounded!—but I took little notice. He has always been a sensible boy and I thought his infatuation would soon burn itself out. Then one of my acquaintances wrote to tell me that this...this female holds regular card parties. I am told she won a considerable sum of money from Gerald. Two hundred guineas!’

‘A mere nothing. He could lose more than that in a sitting at White’s.’

‘Perhaps, but my acquaintance says all Bath was talking of it.’

‘Bath!’ Jasper laughed. ‘He has become enamoured of a lady from Bath? Is she an invalid or old enough to be his grandmama?’

‘It may not be quite as fashionable as it was, but there are still any number of people who like to visit there,’ replied Mrs Barnabus, affronted by his humour. ‘I should go there myself, if the waters here were not more beneficial for those like myself who are prone to consumptive symptoms.’

‘Well perhaps you should go there anyway, to find out just what Gerald is about.’

‘He will not listen to me. He is one-and-twenty now, and in charge of his own fortune. Besides, I could not possibly travel such a distance.’

‘It is barely fifteen miles, Cousin.’

‘And I would be so knocked up I should be in no fit state to help my poor son.’ She sank back on the sofa and waved her vinaigrette under her nose, weakened merely by the thought of such a journey. ‘No, Markham, as head of the family, it is up to you to rescue Gerald from the clutches of this—this harpy.’

‘My dear ma’am, we have no evidence that there is anything wrong with the woman at all, save that she has beaten Gerald at cards. And even that is not to be wondered at. If I remember rightly he was never that sharp.’

Gloriana’s eyes snapped angrily.

‘You are too cruel, Markham. The boy is almost ten years your junior and lacks your worldly experience. And now, when I ask, nay, beg you to help him, you can do nothing but jest.’ She broke off, dragging a wisp of lace from her pocket and dabbing at her eyes.

Jasper regarded her in exasperation as he saw his dinner at the Hare and Hounds slipping away. However, beneath his insouciant exterior he was quite fond of Gerald, so he gave in with a faint shrug.

‘Very well, ma’am, I can as easily stop at Bath tonight as at Corsham. I will seek out Gerald and find out just what is afoot.’

Gently brushing aside her grateful effusions and the belated offer of a glass of ratafia, Jasper took his leave of Gloriana and headed for York House.

* * *

He arrived at the busy Bath hotel before five o’clock, in good time to bespeak rooms and dinner. Then, having changed his travel clothes for the coat and knee-breeches that were still the required evening dress for Bath, he sallied forth in search of Gerald Barnabus.

* * *

Susannah looked around the drawing room with satisfaction. It was filling up nicely and most of the little card tables were occupied.

‘Another good turn-out.’

Susannah heard the murmur and found Kate Logan at her side. Kate was a widow and past her thirtieth year, although she looked younger and her stylish gown of bronze satin with its matching turban drew many a gentleman’s eye. Susannah knew Kate was well aware of her attraction and used it to advantage at the card table, although she never succumbed to any gentleman’s advances. She continued now in her habitual slow drawl, ‘There is a ball at the Lower Rooms tonight, so doubtless many will take themselves off there at ten and then we can get down to business.’

Susannah shushed her with a look and said in a voice of mock severity, ‘There is no business here, Mrs Logan. We merely invite a few friends to enjoy a game of cards.’

Kate gave a knowing smile.

‘That is what I meant, Susannah.’

‘Of course,’ added Susannah innocently, ‘some of our guests might lose a few guineas at our tables, but that is hardly to be wondered at, after all.’ She glanced at her friend, trying to keep her countenance, but failed miserably, and her peal of laughter made several heads turn. ‘Oh dear, now I have made people stare. Go away, Kate, before I forget myself again. Look, my aunt is waving to you to make a fourth at whist.’

‘And she is sitting down with Mr and Mrs Anstruther, who spend so much time bickering that they invariably lose. Very well, I shall go, and I see old Major Crommelly is coming over, no doubt to engage you for a game of picquet, which is his pretext to get you to himself and subject you to the most fulsome compliments.’

‘He may positively shower me with compliments as long as he is happy to play for pound points,’ chuckled Susannah, turning to greet the elderly gentleman who was approaching her.

* * *

It was well over an hour later that she rose from the table, refusing the major’s suggestion that they should play another hand.