Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(40)

‘That is good news then.’ Jasper hoped his reply was sufficiently cheerful, but his companion did not respond. ‘You do not seem particularly elated by your success.’

‘Hmm? Oh, I am tired, I suppose.’

Jasper gave a crack of laughter.

‘Tired, after a journey of just over a dozen miles? My dear boy, you should go and drink a cup of that foul-tasting water immediately.’

Gerald’s smile was perfunctory.

‘No need for that, it is just...’ He sighed. ‘I don’t know if I can explain it to you. You will say that a fellow cannot be euphoric for ever, but...oh, you know how it is, Jasper. You want something so badly for a long time, then when you eventually achieve it, it is a trifle—’ He broke off and gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘This is all nonsense, of course. Susannah is everything I ever dreamed she would be.’ He looked past Jasper. ‘By Jove, is that your twin over there? I didn’t know Dominic was here, too, that is famous, I must speak to him immediately.’

He dashed off, leaving Jasper to follow more slowly in his wake.

* * *

Susannah was never quite sure how Mrs Coale had managed to carry her off. One minute she was holding Gerald’s arm and trying to steel herself to meet Jasper, who was watching her approach with a dark, unfathomable look in his hard eyes, the next she was promenading around the Pump Room with the slight, dark-haired lady that was Jasper’s sister-in-law, telling her all about Florence House. At first she was a little wary, but Zelah’s gentle manner and genuine interest soon had its effect and she found herself answering her questions quite freely.

‘The dowager countess is most impressed with your efforts there,’ remarked Zelah. ‘That is no small compliment, believe me.’

‘I am only too thankful that she thought the cause worthy of her attention.’

‘Lady Gisburne loathes being bored and she was most thankful that Jasper brought your project to her attention.’

Susannah blinked.

‘I did not know it was the viscount who told her about Florence House. I thought she had merely heard the gossip.’

‘Oh, no, she told me Jasper argued the case very strongly. And I believe there is a good modiste here that I must visit,’ added Zelah, with a twinkling look. ‘I intend to order at least one gown from Odesse while I am in Bath.’

The conversation turned towards fashion and in no time at all they had completed another full promenade of the room.

‘Oh dear, I can see my husband is looking out for me.’ Zelah chuckled as they came within sight of Lady Gisburne’s party. ‘Come along, let us join them.’

‘Oh, but there is no need for me to come with you,’ declared Susannah, hanging back. She could see Jasper standing beside his equally tall brother and was reluctant to go any closer.

‘Nonsense, I must make you known to Dominic, and I can see Mr Barnabus is with them, too, so where else would you want to go?’

Unable to withstand the pressure of that small, determined hand on her sleeve Susannah accompanied Zelah to join the little group and said all that was proper when she was introduced to Dominic Coale. She resolutely kept her eyes averted from Jasper, but it was impossible not to think of him when she looked at his twin.

Even with the livid scar dissecting his cheek, she thought Dominic Coale as heart-stoppingly handsome as his brother. They shared the same thick, glossy black hair, the same regular features, the lean cheek and finely carved jawline, and if she fancied Jasper’s smile a shade warmer and the glint in his blue-grey eyes a trifle more wicked, that was surely her imagination. While Dominic spoke to her she did her best to ignore Jasper, standing so close and silent, almost within touching distance. She could feel his presence, like a tangible force drawing her closer. She told herself that since Gerald was distantly related to the brothers she would have to grow accustomed to meeting Jasper. And she would do so. She had told Kate as much when they were strolling in the gardens yesterday.

* * *

Her tears had taken her by surprise and she had found herself admitting to Kate that she did not love Gerald.

‘But he loves me,’ she had said, wiping her eyes with the handkerchief Kate supplied. ‘I cannot cry off, it would break his heart.’

‘Better that he should be disappointed now than he should discover it later.’

‘He shall not be disappointed,’ Susannah declared. ‘I will be a good wife to him. I will.’

‘You are in love with someone else.’ Kate’s shrewd eyes did not miss the tell-tale flush that immediately coloured Susannah’s cheek. ‘Is it Markham? Are you in love with the viscount?’

‘No.’ Susannah knew her hasty denial was too vehement. She added quickly, ‘And if I were it would make no odds. He cares nothing for me.’

‘Oh, my poor girl, you have lost your heart to a rake!’ Kate’s sympathy had almost overset Susannah again. ‘I can see how one might easily fall in love with such a man, but it will not do. He is too much a flirt, universally charming to any pretty woman, but you could never be happy for long with such a man. He is far too insubstantial for you.’

Susannah thought back to the night she had spent with Jasper at Florence House. There had been nothing insubstantial about him there when he took charge of the cooking, his orders to Bessie echoing around the cavernous kitchen. Nor had there been anything rakish in his manner when they were sitting together later, in the parlour. Not that it made any difference now.

She raised her head and said again, ‘I shall make Gerald a good wife, I promise you.’

* * *

‘...my love, shall we go? We arranged to meet your aunt at the circulating library.’

Gerald touched her elbow. Susannah turned to look at him, yesterday’s words still ringing in her head.

‘Yes, of course.’ She waited until they were out in the sunshine before she spoke again and when she did it was with studied coolness. ‘I thought Lord Markham and Mr Coale were only distant relations of yours, Gerald. Do you...do you expect to see much of them, when we are married?’

‘Oh, I shouldn’t think so,’ he replied carelessly. ‘Dominic rarely leaves Exmoor and Jasper divides his time between Markham and London. By Jove, I never thought!’ He stopped, clapping his hand to his head. ‘Should we look around for a country house, Susannah? It had not occurred to me that you might want to live elsewhere.’

‘No, I would rather stay in Bath,’ she said quickly. ‘I have the house in Royal Crescent, after all. My aunt has already told me she intends to find a little place for herself once we are wed.’

‘That will suit me very well, although perhaps we will make the occasional jaunt to town.’

‘Of course, whatever will make you happy, Gerald.’

‘Good heavens, marrying you will make me the happiest of men, my dear.’ He kissed her hand. ‘Now, here we are at Duffields—shall we go in and find your aunt?’





Chapter Fifteen

Jasper was glad to get up after a restless night and he was putting the finishing touches to his cravat when Peters announced that Mr Barnabus wished to see him.

‘So early?’ He took out his watch. ‘You had best send him up.’

Jasper did not turn round when Gerald came in, but one glance in the mirror showed him that the young man was looking unusually serious.

‘What is it, my young friend?’ Jasper fastened his diamond pin into the snowy folds before turning away from the mirror. ‘Are you in dun territory, perhaps? Do you need money?’

‘Good heavens, no.’ Gerald looked suitably shocked. ‘My fortune ain’t nearly as large as yours, Jasper, but it is sufficient for my needs. No, I need some advice.’

Jasper took another look at Gerald and knew a craven desire to fob him off.

‘I am engaged to ride out with Dominic this morning,’ he said, picking up his coat. ‘Walk with me and tell me what is troubling you.’

They were out on the street before Gerald began.

‘I think I have been a little rash in asking Miss

Prentess to be my wife.’

‘Oh?’

‘I wonder if it is a mistake, for both of us. After all, as Mama pointed out to me, Susannah is a couple of years older than I.’

‘That is no reason to cry off,’ objected Jasper. ‘You have chosen a lady who is both beautiful and rich. An ideal choice, most people would think.’

Gerald looked even more tortured.

‘I know and she is. I have even convinced my mother that Susannah is the perfect partner for me.’

‘Then what is the problem?’

‘I thought I was in love with her, but recently, I am not so sure. She is the kindest, most generous of women, but there is not that grand passion that I expected to feel with the woman I intend to make my wife.’ He looked up, his blue eyes troubled. ‘I am afraid I am making a mistake, Jasper. I am very much afraid we shall both be rendered unhappy. What shall I do?’