Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(30)

‘I was hardly alone, Aunt,’ objected Susannah. ‘There was the scullery maid, three other ladies and two babies in the house, too.’

‘As if that makes it any better! I suppose it is too much to hope that the viscount has left Bath. He was not at the Abbey.’

‘Neither was Mr Barnabus.’

‘That is true.’ Mrs Wilby sighed. ‘Perhaps we should attend the ball in the Upper Rooms tomorrow night, after all, to make a show of indifference.’

Susannah shook her head.

‘We agreed we would go to the Fancy Ball on Thursday this week. We mentioned it to several of our acquaintances. I do not see that we should change our plans because of a little talk.’

‘Then we must wait until Tuesday to see what effect this has upon our card party.’

Susannah was inclined to be optimistic.

‘It is a matter of little importance to anyone but ourselves. I hope we will find our rooms as busy as ever.’

* * *

But when Tuesday arrived several of their usual guests sent their apologies and there was a depressing number of empty tables in the room. Susannah was relieved to see Gerald Barnabus arrive and several other young gentleman came in shortly after, but Susannah heard them telling her aunt that Mr Warwick would not be joining them.

‘He said he had a prior engagement, but we think otherwise,’ declared Mr Edmonds, grinning at his friends. ‘Your links with a certain house in the country appear to have upset him badly.’

‘Aye, guilty conscience, most likely,’ added William Farthing with a grating laugh that reminded Susannah very much of his mother.

Mrs Wilby raised her brows. The young man coloured and immediately begged pardon before moving off quickly with his friends to find amusement at one of the card tables. Susannah turned away, pretending to be busy until they had passed. Their amusement was almost worse than the disapproval of the older members of Bath society. She hoped her aunt’s obvious displeasure at their laughter would prevent the matter being raised again, but when several of them joined Susannah at the loo table, she discovered that they were more than ready to tease her about Florence House. She tried to keep her temper, but their constant gibes made her call a halt.

‘I pray you will say no more, gentlemen. This is a cause that should be supported by every Christian, not ridiculed. You at least should realise that, Mr Farthing, since your own mother is so closely involved with Walcot Street.’ She handed the cards to the gentleman on her right and rose from the table. ‘Pray continue the game for me, Mr Edmonds, I have had enough for tonight.’

She walked away, trying to calm herself. She should have known what to expect.

‘Miss Prentess.’ She turned to find Gerald beside her. He gave her a rueful smile. ‘So Florence House is no longer a secret.’

‘And the subject of much merriment,’ she said bitterly. ‘The jokes and winks, the innuendo—’

‘They are young and thoughtless,’ he said pacifically. ‘It is unusual for an unmarried lady to be involved in such a charity. You know yourself most young ladies would deny all knowledge of such matters.’

‘I would very much like to know how the secret got out,’ she said. ‘I don’t suppose it was you...’

‘Good Gad, Susannah, you know I would not say anything! I did not even tell Jasper about it.’

‘No, of course not.’ She smiled, and after a few moments he went off to join in a game of whist.

Susannah moved to a corner table, ostensibly to trim a flickering candle, but this was only an excuse to have a few moments to herself.

‘You are very pensive.’ Mrs Logan approached her.

‘Kate,’ Susannah kissed her cheek. ‘I did not see you arrive. How are you?’

‘Well, thank you.’ Kate searched her face. ‘But you are looking pale, Susannah. What is wrong?’

‘Oh, nothing.’ She tried to dismiss it with a smile. ‘I am merely wondering how everyone knows about Florence House. I have spoken to the servants, and I am convinced not one of them has said anything about it. Gerald, too, swears he has not said a word.’ She bit her lip. That left only Jasper.

You may rely upon me to say nothing of Florence House.

In her mind’s eye she saw his image again, standing at the carriage door, solid, secure...and unreliable. He had let her down, and it hurt all the more because she had been so sure she could trust him. Giving herself a mental shake, she dragged up a smile.

‘Well, it cannot be helped. We must do what we can to continue. Will you play vingt-et-un tonight, Kate? The winnings from the table are badly needed. I have paid Mr Tyler for the moment, but there will be more bills.’

‘Of course, although only until Char—I mean, Mr Camerton arrives.’

‘Oh, will he be coming then? Is be bringing the viscount?’

‘I can only vouch for Mr Camerton,’ replied Kate, a heightened colour in her cheeks. ‘I do not think he has seen Lord Markham at all this week.’

‘My biggest problem with Mr Camerton is that he wins far too often.’ Susannah said it lightly, but she was half in earnest. She had noticed that when Charles Camerton was at the table, Kate’s attention was not given fully to the game, and she could ill afford more losses.

* * *

The following morning Susannah’s worst fears were confirmed. Their rooms had been only half-full, and when Mrs Wilby totted up the figures she reported sadly that they had made only thirty pounds.

‘Hardly enough to pay for the supper.’ Aunt Maude put down her pen. ‘And nothing from Kate. She was playing picquet with Mr Camerton for most of the evening. One can only guess what her losses must be. I cannot understand why she continues to play against him.’

‘Can you not, Aunt?’ Susannah rubbed her arms. ‘I think she is in love with him.’

‘Kate? I do not believe it. She has completely forsworn men.’

‘That is what I thought, too. I thought she felt as I do.’

‘But if she is in love...’

‘I know,’ said Susannah in a hollow voice. ‘Everything has changed. And it is all Lord Markham’s fault, damn him!’

‘Susannah!’

She coloured and quickly begged pardon. ‘But it was the viscount who brought Charles Camerton to our rooms, and he betrayed me—us.’

‘I am inclined to be philosophical,’ her aunt responded. ‘Florence House could not remain a secret for ever, and I cannot be sorry if Kate has found a man to love her.’

‘Her first husband was a brute,’ declared Susannah. ‘In Gibraltar his viciousness was the talk of the regiment. I only hope she will not be hurt again.’

‘My love, not all men are undeserving scoundrels,’ said Aunt Maude gently. ‘I was happily married to a good, kind man for fifteen years. Why, even Lord Markham may have his good points. At least he does not appear to have told anyone about Odesse.’

‘He should not have told anyone anything,’ retorted Susannah. ‘He promised me—’ She broke off, determined not to give in to the dull aching misery inside her. ‘Enough of this. We shall come about, so let us not be too despondent. The sun is shining, Odesse has just delivered my new walking dress, so I shall take a stroll in Sydney Gardens. Will you come with me?’

No more was said about the card party and Aunt Maude was content to accept Susannah’s assurances that all would be well. A visit to Odesse confirmed that her business was still doing well. In fact she reported that the number of customers was increasing, but despite that, Susannah felt the leaden weight inside. It was not that the secret of Florence House was out, but the fact that she had trusted Jasper, and he had let her down.

* * *

As they made their way to the Upper Rooms for Thursday’s ball Aunt Maude wondered aloud how many of their acquaintance knew about her patronage of Florence House, and how many would show their disapproval. Susannah made a brave response, but she was secretly relieved to find that they were not completely ignored when they entered the ballroom.

A short distance from the door a group of young bucks stood talking. Susannah knew them all, but as they approached one of them looked up. For a moment he glared at her, then turned and strode off.

‘Dear me, it appears we have indeed offended Mr Warwick,’ murmured Aunt Wilby.

She spoke quietly, but a young gentleman making his bow to Susannah overheard and grinned.

‘Take no notice of Warwick, Miss Prentess, he’s been like a bear with a sore head recently. Probably worrying over some female.’ He laughed heartily, then he leaned closer, saying confidentially, ‘We’ve told him, ma’am, that if it’s that sort of trouble...’ he tapped his nose

‘...then the gal might be glad of your little, ah, charity.’ With a knowing grin he linked arms with his companions and walked away.

‘I suppose we shall have to accustom ourselves to such talk,’ remarked Mrs Wilby in a tone of long-suffering. ‘It will die away soon enough, once there is some other juicy gossip to replace it.’