Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(39)

‘I thought you had turned your face against marriage.’

‘No more than you, Kate,’ she countered. ‘I have heard you say many times that nothing would persuade you to take another husband.’

‘I know.’ Kate looked down, and Susannah saw the tell-tale blush mantle her cheeks. She could not remember Kate ever being out of countenance before Charles Camerton appeared, but recently she had changed, become much...softer, somehow. Now she gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘I thought myself too old, too embittered to risk marrying again, but meeting Charles has changed my mind.’ She glanced up. ‘I am afraid he rather swept me off my feet, so much so that I confided in him about Florence House.’

‘You did?’

‘Yes, and I am very sorry for it. It is entirely my fault that your secret is known. You know how it is when you meet someone and you just want to talk and talk for ever? I am afraid I was not very discreet, and since I did not impress upon Charles that it was a secret he spoke of it in the Pump Room and—well, it went on from there. I suspected as much when we were so thin of company at your card party, and when I asked Charles he said he had mentioned it to Mrs Bulstrode, although thankfully he said nothing about the connection with Odesse. I know I should have told you immediately, but I did not want you to be cross with Charles. I hoped it might soon be forgotten. I beg your pardon, Susannah. Can you ever forgive me?’

So Jasper had not betrayed her. A dozen disjointed thoughts raced through her brain. If she had not been so quick to condemn him they might still be friends—more than friends. No. He roused in her such uncontrollable passions that friendship was not possible. She was engaged to Gerald now. Safe, dependable Gerald. That was what she wanted. She summoned up a smile.

‘Of course I can forgive you, Kate. In fact, it has all turned out very well. If it had remained a secret then Lady Gisburne would not have learned of it and wanted to become our patroness. What I find it harder to understand is your sudden decision to marry.’

Kate’s mouth twisted into a rueful smile.

‘I was very strident, was I not, in my condemnation of all men? It comes from my years married to one who...’

Susannah squeezed her arm.

‘You do not need to tell me, Kate. I knew you then, I saw what you went through, even though I was very young and everyone did their best to keep these things from the children. Infidelity was rife in Gibraltar. Even my own father was not above taking advantage of the camp followers.’

‘How do you know that?’ asked Kate quickly. ‘I do not believe he would tell you such a thing, nor your mother.’

‘I heard them arguing one night.’ Susannah blushed at the memory. ‘He said if Mama would not let him into her bed then he had to relieve his—his passions elsewhere.’

‘Oh my dear, I am so sorry.’ Kate squeezed her arm. ‘Your mother had become very religious, had she not?’

‘Yes, like her sister, although not quite such a zealot.’ Susannah shivered. ‘But that does not excuse his behaviour.’

‘Do not be too hard on your father, my dear. He was a good man, in his way. Certainly not vicious, like Logan.’

‘That is why I was so shocked when you told me about you and Charles Camerton.’

Kate sighed.

‘I did not mean to fall in love with him, but I could not help it.’ She laughed suddenly. ‘I have broken all the rules I set for myself, have I not? I have listened to my heart, and not my head. But you must have done the same, my dear. Why else would you have decided to marry— Susannah, why do you look like that?

Susannah shook her head, suddenly tears were crowding her eyes.

‘Oh, Kate,’ she whispered. ‘I think I have made a terrible mistake.’

* * *

‘Dom.’ Jasper touched his brother’s shoulder. ‘I was told I would find you in the Pump Room, but I didn’t believe it.’

Dominic turned, grinning. It was like looking into a mirror, thought Jasper. He still felt it, despite the livid scar that stretched across his twin’s cheek.

‘My godmother must drink the waters and my wife wants to gossip.’ Dominic gripped his hand. ‘How are you, Brother?’

‘Well enough, thank you. I received your note yesterday, but I thought you would need the evening to recover.’

‘Aye, after a whole day on the road the children were fractious and Zelah and I too tired to be good company.’

‘I am pleased I did not take up your invitation to join you for dinner then! What brings you to Bath?’

Dominic’s hard eyes flickered towards Lady Gisburne.

‘Summoned. She told us you have been here for some time.’

‘I came here after visiting Gloriana. She was afraid Gerald had fallen into the clutches of some harpy.’

‘And had he?’

‘Not at all.’ Jasper spotted a speck of dust on his sleeve and flicked it away. ‘The lady is an heiress. Considerably richer than Gerald, I believe.’

A soft voice called his name. Zelah was beside him, holding out her hands.

‘Welcome to Bath, Sister.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘What brings you here? Your glowing looks tell me it is not for your health.’

‘No, of course not.’ She tucked her arm in his. ‘Take me for a promenade about the room, Jasper.’

He glanced at Dominic, who nodded his approval.

‘Aye, off you go, but don’t keep her too long. I won’t spend all day here.’

‘Surly as ever,’ commented Jasper as he led his sister-in-law away.

She laughed. ‘No, no, he is much better now. When I met him he would not have dreamed of attending an assembly such as this. Now he is completely at his ease, and is not even conscious of his scars.’

‘That is down to you, Zelah. We are all grateful for that.’

‘Nonsense.’ She blushed. ‘He would have come about, in time. But this not why I wanted you to myself. Tell me about this lady who has stolen your heart.’

He stopped, exclaiming explosively, ‘Who the devil—!’

‘Lady Gisburne told us all about it last night.’

‘Then she has been a great deal too busy!’

‘Dom says he has never known you to take so much trouble over a woman.’

‘Hell and damnation, I won’t have my affairs discussed in this way,’ he muttered in a furious undertone.

Zelah was not noticeably abashed, and merely made him walk on.

‘So is it true? I do hope so, Jasper, because I never liked the idea of your pining over me. Tell me all about her.’

That drew a reluctant smile from him.

‘You have grown very forward since you married my brother. But there is nothing to tell you, since she is going to marry Gerald Barnabus.’

‘He is some sort of cousin of yours, is he not? And does she love him?’

‘She will drive him to distraction.’

‘That does not answer my question.’

‘Does it matter?’ he said impatiently. ‘They are to be married. Barnabus has gone off to see his mother to arrange everything. There is nothing to be done.’ Zelah’s questioning gaze goaded him to add, ‘Yes, I had some hopes there, but nothing serious.’

‘Everyone tells me she is a great beauty.’

‘Matchless.’

‘But you have known many beauties, Jasper. What makes this one so different?’

He considered the question.

‘Her spirit,’ he said at last. ‘She saw an injustice and has fought to do something about it, even at the expense of her own good name. She is very courageous...’ he remembered the alarm in Susannah’s hazel eyes when he had reached out for her ‘...at least, in some things.’

‘Then I hope I shall meet this paragon, very soon.’

Jasper looked up.

‘You shall do so now. Gerald is here, and he has Miss Prentess on his arm.’

Introductions were performed and Jasper sensed an air of unhappiness about Susannah. There was nothing in her manner to suggest she was melancholy, she smiled and conversed with her usual ease, save that she would not look at him. Perhaps it was his imagination, perhaps he merely wished to believe she was regretting her choice.

He was too distracted to take note of the conversation and suddenly realised that Zelah had left his side and was walking away with Susannah, declaring with a smile that they were off to talk of fashion and furbelows.

‘We shall not see them again for some time,’ he remarked, turning to Gerald. ‘When did you get back from Hotwells?’

‘Yesterday.’

‘And how is Gloriana? How did she take your news?’

Gerald’s eyes were fixed on the ladies as they walked away and he did not answer immediately.

‘Very much as I expected. She was overset at first, but she saw I was not to be moved, and after a night’s reflection she came round. I am to take Susannah to meet her next week.’