Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(33)

Susannah was surprised out of this melancholy train of thought by Gatley coming in to announce a visitor.

‘The Dowager Countess of Gisburne?’ Aunt Maude dropped her sewing in amazement. ‘But we do not know—I saw her name in Mr King’s visitors’ book, but—oh, show her up, Gatley, show her up! Good heavens, what on earth has brought a dowager countess to our door?’

‘I have no idea, Aunt, but we shall soon know.’ Susannah quickly put away the sewing things while her aunt patted her cap and straightened her gown.

The Dowager was a thin, formidable-looking figure, her severe black gown relieved by a vast quantity of white lace. Her dark, bird-like eyes rested for a moment on Susannah as she entered the room, before she turned her attention to Aunt Maude.

‘Mrs Wilby, we have not been introduced, but I hope you will forgive the intrusion when you know my business.’

Murmuring, Aunt Maude rose from her curtsy and begged the dowager to be seated.

She moved to a sofa and sat down, saying in her forthright manner, ‘I believe you are responsible for an establishment near here. Florence House.’

Susannah looked up.

‘Goodness me, ma’am, however did you hear of that?’

Those sharp eyes flickered over her again, and Susannah saw the gleam of amusement in their depths.

‘The rumour mill in Bath is quite inexhaustible, Miss Prentess. You may know, Mrs Wilby, that I am very interested in such causes. I would like to help you.’

Aunt Maude threw an anguished glance towards Susannah, who replied cautiously, ‘That is very gracious of you, ma’am, but I am not sure...’

‘Oh come, ladies, I have not been in Bath long but one visit to the Pump Room was sufficient for me to know that your little scheme has set up the backs of the Walcot Street committee. Will you deny that your present funding is inadequate?’

‘No, we will not deny that,’ replied Susannah.

‘Good.’ The dowager put down her cane. ‘Then let us discuss it!’

* * *

When at last Lady Gisburne had been shown out, Mrs Wilby fell back in her chair.

‘Heavens, my head is fairly spinning.’

‘I admit she is a very forceful personality,’ agreed Susannah, smiling slightly, ‘but her patronage—and her money!—will be most welcome.’

‘But can we believe her when she says she will leave the control of Florence House in our hands?’

‘Oh, I think so, but that is something we can go over once the papers are drawn up.’ Susanna stood by the window, watching the dowager being helped into her carriage. ‘I liked her plain speaking. She is very knowledgeable about how we should proceed. With Lady Gisburne as patroness I think the future of Florence House is assured.’

‘And Odesse,’ added Mrs Wilby. ‘My lady agreed we should not make her connection with Florence House public knowledge, but she was keen to see her work.’

Susannah chuckled.

‘From the prodigious amount of lace on the dowager’s gown, her patronage alone should bring plenty of work for the modiste and the lace-makers.’ She turned back to her aunt. ‘It is a great relief to me,’ she admitted. ‘I do not mind if Bath society shuns me, but the thought of not being able to support the house, or the girls—’ She broke off, shaking her head to dispel the tears

that threatened.

‘Well,’ declared Mrs Wilby, taking up her sewing again. ‘I believe with the Dowager Countess of Gisburne as an acquaintance, Bath society will not dare to shun us!’

* * *

And so it proved. On Sunday the Dowager had attended the morning service at the Abbey and once she had acknowledged Susannah and her aunt, others followed suit, even Mrs Bulstrode and Mrs Farthing, although it was clearly an effort. A visit to Henrietta Street on Monday was also encouraging.

‘I have had no one ask me about Florence House,’ said Odesse, going to fetch a large box from a shelf. ‘And this morning, I received a visit from a most superior personage: a dowager countess, no less. She has ordered a new morning gown and hinted that she might place even more business with me, if I can turn it round quickly. Thank goodness I stayed up last night to finish this for you, Miss Prentess, otherwise heaven knows when I would have time to do it.’

She opened the box and pulled out a new evening gown of apricot silk.

‘Oh it is beautiful,’ exclaimed Susannah.

‘I hoped you would like it.’ Odesse held up the gown for Susannah’s inspection. ‘The flounced skirt is hemmed with lace, like the neck and the puff sleeves, and I have found a pair of long gloves that match the colour exactly.’

‘Quite exquisite,’ declared Mrs Wilby. ‘You must wear it at the ball, my love.’ She beamed at the modiste. ‘It is quite the finest gown you have made yet, Odesse.’

‘Thank you, ma’am. And the walking dress with the lilac-sarcenet petticoat that you ordered for yourself is ready now, if you wish to take it, Mrs Wilby, but I’m afraid I have not had time to finish the green pelisse, I am very sorry.’

‘Oh, never mind about that.’ Mrs Wilby happily waved aside her apology. ‘I do not need the new pelisse yet and would much rather you satisfied your other customers.’

‘Lady Gisburne has lost no time in seeking out Odesse,’ remarked Susannah, when the ladies were once more in their carriage, surrounded by their purchases. ‘I have every confidence that she will be well satisfied with her services.’ She put her hand on the box beside her and chuckled. ‘Perhaps now I can stop buying so many new gowns!’

* * *

That same evening, Susannah smoothed the long gloves over her arms and stood back to look at herself in the glass. There was no doubt that the apricot silk was most becoming. Dorcas had dressed her hair à la Madonna, with a centre parting and the curls falling from a topknot so that they would bounce and shimmer about her head when she danced at the ball tonight.

She wondered if Jasper would like it, but resolutely stifled the thought. He was still not forgiven, so it was of no odds to her at all whether he liked it or not. With something like a toss of those guinea-gold curls she picked up her shawl and hurried downstairs to join Aunt Maude.

* * *

Their reception at the Upper Rooms was noticeably warmer than it had been the previous week. There were smiles and bows from most of the matrons as they entered, and more than one lady promised Mrs Wilby an invitation to drink tea with her the following week.

Aunt Maude caught Susannah’s eyes, a glow of triumph in her own, and Susannah was forced to bite back a smile. A sudden commotion at the door was followed by a reverent hush. Susannah and her aunt stood back as the Dowager Countess of Gisburne was announced. The old lady progressed regally and Susannah noticed that although she carried a stick she rarely leaned on it as she made her way through the crowd with a nod here, a word there. When she reached Susannah she stopped.

‘Miss Prentess.’

Susannah rose from her curtsy to find the dowager was regarding her through her quizzing glass.

‘Hmm. Elegantly turned out, as always. I think you are in a fair way to becoming the best-dressed lady in Bath, my dear.’ She had not raised her voice, but her words carried effortlessly around the room.

‘Thank you, ma’am.’

Susannah inclined her head to acknowledge the compliment but she was almost startled into a laugh when the old lady winked at her before continuing her regal progress towards the ballroom.

Gerald Barnabus had begged her to keep the first dance for him and he came to find her when the orchestra began tuning up. He too cast an appraising eye over her.

‘I have never seen you looking lovelier,’ he declared, pressing a fervent kiss upon her gloved fingers.

Susannah laughed.

‘I am immune to your compliments, Gerald, you give me too many of them.’

‘That is because I am violently in love with you,’ he replied gallantly.

‘I fear you have just fallen into the habit of saying so,’ she retorted, shaking her head at him.

‘How can you say so? I have been your most loyal suitor.’ A faint frown marred his boyish countenance when he spotted a group of gentlemen at the far side of the room and he added quietly, ‘At least I am not one of those fairweather suitors, who abandon you at the first hint of adversity. Most of that crowd over there have not been to one of your card parties since it was known that you are the patroness of Florence House.’

‘We are grateful for your constant support, and Lord Markham’s,’ she added conscientiously. ‘Is, um, is the viscount coming tonight, by the bye?’

‘Oh, yes, we dined together. He is here somewhere,’ said Gerald carelessly. ‘He agrees with me, your support for Florence House is to be applauded.’

‘Thank you, I am glad to know that. However, we have another patroness now, although she does not wish to be named yet. It means the house’s future is much more secure. Our card parties are less important now. We may even discontinue them.’