Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(36)

The dowager waved her hand as she finally replied, ‘Oh, no reason. But if you are not going to dance again, Markham, then you can make yourself useful and escort me back to Laura Place.’

He laughed at that.

‘Of course, ma’am. With the greatest of pleasure.’

* * *

Jasper had never been so impatient to be done with his estate business, but at length it was concluded and he could return to Bath. On Thursday morning he rose early and dressed with particular care, honouring the occasion with a morning coat of midnight blue, a white-embroidered waistcoat and buff coloured pantaloons tucked into shining Hessians. He arrived at Royal Crescent shortly before ten o’clock. He was shown into the morning room, where he found Mrs Wilby engaged with her tambour frame. She quickly put it down when he entered, and rose to greet him.

‘Lord Markham, this is a pleasant surprise.’

He bowed over her hand.

‘Did Miss Prentess not tell you I would be calling?’

‘No, my lord, she did not.’ She waved him to a seat. ‘She has gone out.’

‘Oh? And when do you expect her to return?’

‘Not for some time, my lord. She is gone to Florence House with Lady Gisburne.’ She noticed his frown and added quickly, ‘They arranged it some days ago, I believe.’

‘Then she did not tell you I intended to call?’

She fluttered her hands.

‘No, but with all the excitement of the past few days I expect it slipped her mind.’

‘Excitement, ma’am?’

She looked at him in surprise.

‘Did you not know? She is engaged to Mr Barnabus.’

It took all Jasper’s self-command to get him through the rest of the interview and back out into the street. While his mouth uttered the congratulations expected of him, his mind was seething with conjecture, none of which made any sense.

So she had accepted Gerald’s proposal. But why now, when she had consistently turned him down in the past? And to do so within days of their explosive encounter on Monday evening? The two events must be linked. She had said she could not marry him—was that because she had already accepted Gerald? He paused, rubbing his chin. If that was so, why did she not tell him as much?

* * *

By the time he reached York House he was no nearer an answer and he strode on to Westgate Buildings, where he was informed Mr Barnabus had not yet left his room. He took the stairs two at a time and his knock upon the door was answered almost immediately.

‘Jasper, come in.’ Gerald was in his shirtsleeves, his cravat hanging loose about his neck. He stood aside to let Jasper enter. ‘I thought you were at Markham.’

‘I returned last night. I understand I should congratulate you.’ Jasper watched him carefully. There was nothing but genuine pleasure in the young man’s smile.

‘Ah, you have heard then. She has accepted me at last.’

Jasper forced his own lips into a smile and said casually, ‘You have been very busy while I have been away.’

‘It was all agreed at the Upper Rooms on Monday. I was coming out of the tea room when we met and, well...’ He paused while he deftly knotted his neckcloth, then grinned at Jasper. ‘Suddenly we had agreed it all.’

‘Extraordinary,’ murmured Jasper.

‘Isn’t it?’ said Gerald. ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am.’ He glanced down at his watch. ‘I cannot stay longer, I am afraid. I am off to Hotwells to see my mother. I want to tell her myself and give her time to become accustomed to the idea before I take Susannah to meet her. Then we can decide upon when and where we are to be married.’

Jasper had been holding on to some faint idea that this was all a hoax, but now that hope died. Susannah would not deliberately serve Gerald such a trick. But something was wrong, he was certain of it, and if he was to prevent her making the biggest mistake of her life then he had to call a halt to this engagement, before it was too late.

He went back to his hotel and sent a note to Royal Crescent, formally begging for an interview with Miss Prentess as soon as she returned. Shortly before dinner he had his reply. He read the words aloud. ‘Miss Prentess

regrets she is not at home to callers.’

With a savage curse he screwed up the paper and hurled it into the fireplace.

* * *

Susannah and Lady Gisburne’s visit to Florence House took the best part of the day, but Susannah was well satisfied with the result. Mrs Gifford was now back as housekeeper, and after accepting their condolences upon the death of her sister she sat down with them to discuss the running of the house. Lady Gisburne approved of all that had been achieved and promised to provide funds to enable more extensive repairs on the house to begin immediately. Before leaving, Susannah took some time to speak to the young ladies still in residence. There were only two, Lizzie and her baby having moved to Henrietta Street. Violet Anstruther was inclined to be tearful and required a great deal of comforting from Mrs Gifford, but Jane and her baby were doing well and Susannah was touched when Jane asked permission to call her daughter Susan.

* * *

‘You were wise to start on a small scale,’ Lady Gisburne commented as the carriage trundled back to Bath. ‘Now word of Florence House is out I expect applications to increase rapidly.’

‘Yes, sadly I believe that is true. There are any number of young women requiring our support. The rent from Odesse and the lace-makers helps, but it will not cover everything. Your help is very welcome in keeping the house running.’

‘The papers are being drawn up even now, and I have sent out invitations for the little party on Saturday, to formally announce my patronage of Florence House.’ The dowager gave a thin smile. ‘There are times when a title is very useful, Miss Prentess. I have had very few refusals.’

‘I am glad to hear it, My aunt and I are very much looking forward to coming to Laura Place for the event, I only wish Gerald could be back in time, but he writes to say Mrs Barnabus needs him for a few more days yet.’

With an alarming want of tact he had also written that his mother had been thrown into strong hysterics by the news of their betrothal, but she did not intend to share this news with anyone.

‘Once you are married you may not be able to play such an active role,’ remarked the dowager. ‘You will have a family of your own to consider.’

Susannah looked away, uncomfortable with such thoughts. She had become engaged to Barnabus because he had seemed safe, he was inclined to worship her reverently, but she was well aware that once they were married he would expect her to allow him more than a chaste kiss on the cheek.

‘My aunt has always been the main player in this, Lady Gisburne.’

‘Tush, everyone knows now that you are the force behind Florence House.’ The dowager smiled. ‘It does not matter too much. Mrs Gifford is perfectly capable of handling the day-to-day running of the charity, and we will merely be patronesses, something that you can do even if you were to live many miles from here.’

Susannah frowned.

‘Why should you say that? Mr Barnabus is very happy to make his home in Bath.’

From her corner of the carriage the dowager gave her an enigmatic smile.

‘Sometimes one’s plans can change,’ she said.

* * *

The news that Lord Markham had called was no surprise to Susannah, although she told Aunt Maude she had quite forgotten about it. The viscount’s subsequent note gave her a momentary panic, but her response was soon sent back to him and she hoped that would be the end of it.

‘Indeed, I am quite fatigued with all the recent excitement,’ she remarked as she sat down to dinner with her aunt. ‘I think, while Gerald is away from Bath, I should like to have Gatley deny all visitors.’

Aunt Maude was immediately concerned.

‘My love, this is quite unlike you, you usually have an abundance of energy. Are you sure you are not sickening for something?’

‘No, no, of course not. I have been trotting a little too hard, as Gerald would say. I shall come about again very soon, you will see.’

‘I sincerely hope so.’ Aunt Maude picked up her knife and fork. ‘Very well, we shall cancel all our engagements for a few days, and do nothing more strenuous than stroll to the Pump Room, where I am sure a glass of the waters will soon restore your spirits.’

* * *

The Pump Room was always popular, but any hope Susannah had that she might lose herself in the jostling crowd soon disappeared when she saw Jasper making his purposeful way towards her.

His greeting was abrupt, and when he suggested they might take a turn about the room together she politely declined. She remained resolutely beside her aunt, conversing with friends, then she took a cup of the waters, sipping at it reluctantly and doing her best not to screw up her face at the sulphurous taste, but all the time she was aware of the viscount’s dark presence, waiting for his chance for a private word with her. It could not last, however. Lord Markham was far too distinguished a visitor to be allowed to stand idle. He was soon accosted by those claiming an acquaintance and he was obliged to move away. Eventually he left the Pump Room and the tension in her spine eased. She could relax again, and when she saw Kate Logan she hurried across the room to greet her.