Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager

by Sarah Mallory

‘Why, thank you, sir. But I should really be looking out what we can eat for dinner...’

  ‘There will be time for that presently. Sit down and talk to me.’

  She allowed herself to be escorted to a chair and handed a steaming cup. She had to admit that after the trials of the morning it was pleasant just to sit, even if she was determined it could not be for long.

  ‘I have been thinking about the cost of running this house,’ he began. ‘I take it Mrs Wilby’s card parties help to pay for it.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And you encourage the gentlemen of your acquaintance to attend, upon your aunt’s invitation, of course.’

  She shot him a defiant look.

  ‘And why not? It is the gentlemen who have made this place necessary.’

  Jasper sat back, surprised.

  ‘Is that what you really think?’

  ‘Of course. They court the young ladies, flatter and cajole them into allowing them to...’ She paused to put down her cup, using the moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. ‘These are young, innocent girls who have fallen for a seducer’s lies, heedless of the consequences.’ A dull flush coloured her cheeks as she remembered her own weakness. ‘It is too easily done, I fear.’

  ‘So you invite the men to your drawing room and fleece them.’

  ‘I do not cheat, sir. It is merely that we—Aunt Maude, Mrs Logan and I—we are all better at cards than most of our guests. And we never take more than fifty guineas at any one sitting.’

  He ran a hand through his hair.

  ‘Susannah, it does not matter if it is fifty guineas or five thousand, you are still taking money off these people.’

  ‘It is not illegal.’

  ‘No, but it is not right. You are in effect running a gaming house.’

  She crossed her arms, as if in defence.

  ‘It is for a good cause.’

  ‘Then tell your guests what you are about. Let them choose whether they want to support you.’

  She gave a bitter laugh.

  ‘Support a house for fallen women? You have seen the reaction when one mentions such a subject. They would not give so much as a sou.’

  ‘You should set up a committee, get some of the Bath tabbies on your side.’

  ‘No. I prefer to do it my way.’

  Jasper sat forwards, frowning.

  ‘But why? Why do you want to punish the young men so? Not all of them are wild and reckless, you know. Gerald Barnabus, for example.’ He saw the flash of consternation in her eyes, before the lashes swept down to veil them and a new suspicion hit him. ‘Does Gerald know about this place?’

  There was a brief hesitation before she replied.

  ‘Yes. I let something slip and was obliged to tell him. He has been very helpful.’

  ‘And that is why you took two hundred guineas from him last year.’

  ‘Yes. We needed extra funds urgently, to set up the house for Odesse.’

  He kept his eyes on her face.

  ‘Why was he escorting you to the jewellers the other day? You may as well tell me. If you do not I shall find out from Gerald when I get back to Bath.’

  She was twisting her hands together in her lap and he remained silent, waiting for her to speak.

  ‘I needed money to pay the builder. I asked Gerald to come with me to the jewellers, to sell some of my aunt’s jewels.’

  ‘Your inheritance.’

  She hung her head.

  ‘I thought the money could be better spent here.’

  ‘And just what did you sell?’

  ‘An emerald set, necklace, ear-drops, aigrette—totally unsuited to me.’

  ‘While you are single, yes.’ Jasper imagined how well the stones would look against her creamy skin, accentuating the green flecks in her eyes, and nestled amongst those glowing curls. ‘Once you are married—’

  ‘I shall never marry.’

  The words were uttered with such force, such conviction, that Jasper’s brows snapped together.

  ‘That is a bold statement.’

  ‘It is true, nevertheless.’ She rose, shaking out her skirts. ‘I have seen how men treat women. It shall never happen to me. Now if you will excuse me—’

  ‘No, I will not.’ He jumped up and caught her arm. ‘You are very harsh upon our sex.’

  ‘And with some reason, my lord. Witness your own behaviour last night!’

  ‘No,’ he said slowly. ‘I think it goes beyond that.’

  She looked alarmed and tried to free her arm.

  ‘Can you wonder if I am harsh, when the girls here tell me such tales? Now let me go, sir.’

  ‘Not until you tell me.’ He pulled her round to face him. ‘I saw it in your eyes last night. You were terrified.’

  Her eyes flashed.

  ‘You flatter yourself!’

  ‘Not of me, but something has occurred. Something in your past.’ She stopped struggling and turned her head away, her lip trembling. He said gently, ‘Will you not tell me? Susannah—’

  He was interrupted by a hasty knock on the door and he released her arm just as Bessie rushed in. She did not appear to notice them stepping apart, too caught up in her own news which she uttered in a scared, breathless voice.

  ‘I beg your pardon, Miss Prentess, but—Miss Jane sent me. She says...she says the baby is coming!’

  Susannah did not exclaim or cry out. She stood for a moment, hands pressed to her cheeks as she dragged her thoughts to what the maid was saying.

  ‘We must send for the midwife.’ She went to the window. ‘At least we must try.’

  Bessie peered over her shoulder.

  ‘But the snow is very thick, ma’am, and ’tis drifting.’

  ‘My footman, Lucas, should go. He is young and strong.’

  ‘It would be safer if there were two,’ said Jasper. ‘Morton shall go with him. Give me the midwife’s direction and I will go out to the stables and tell them.’

  Susannah did not hesitate. Instructions were given and even before the viscount had left the house she ran upstairs. Jane was leaning against the wall, clutching at her stomach.

  ‘Mrs Gifford told me these pains would come,’ she gasped. ‘Slowly at first, but then more frequently.’

  ‘And how do they seem to you?’ asked Susannah.

  Jane gave her a strained smile. ‘They are coming very quickly. I hope we can wait for the midwife.’

  ‘Oh my heavens, what shall we do?’

  Susannah turned at the anguished cry to find Violet Anstruther standing in the doorway. Quickly she ushered the girl out of the room, telling her to look after Lizzie and her baby, then she turned her attention back to Jane, who was pacing up and down, her face very pale.

  She calculated that the midwife could not be here for at least another hour and she busied herself with preparing the room, bringing in a crib and blankets and clothes for the new baby, then she helped Jane out of her gown. All the time she kept up a cheerful dialogue which was punctuated by Jane’s gasps each time the contractions took hold.

  * * *

  The heavy cloud had brought an early dusk and Susannah had given orders for the lamps to be lit. It was with relief that she heard the thud of the outer door and the low rumble of voices in the hall. She ran down the stairs. The chill of the air as she descended confirmed that the front door had been opened, but there were only three figures in the hall: the viscount, his groom and Lucas, her footman.

  The two servants were covered in snow.

  ‘I beg your pardon, miss, but we didn’t make it.’ Lucas blew on his hands and his teeth chattered when he spoke. ‘The snow is breast high across the road and we couldn’t get through. And we daren’t risk crossing the fields for the snow is falling so thick ’tis impossible to see more than an arm’s length in front of you and we wouldn’t have known which direction we should go.’

  Susannah tried hard not to let her disappointment show.

  ‘Very well, thank you for your efforts. If you go i
nto the kitchen Bessie will find you something hot to drink.’

  ‘If you don’t mind, miss, we’ll head back to the stables,’ put in Morton. ‘The old man said he would keep a good fire and have a kettle of something ready when we got back.’

  ‘Yes, yes, you had best go then, and get yourselves warm.’ The viscount waved them away and turned to look at Susannah. ‘This is bad news,’ he murmured, drawing her into the warmth of the parlour. ‘What will you do now?’

  ‘I must go back upstairs, I fear Jane is very near her time.’

  ‘Is there anything I can do?’ His readiness to help was comforting, but she shook her head.

  ‘Not unless you are a man-midwife.’

  ‘I regret I cannot help you there, my only experience of such things is when my favourite pointer whelped at Markham.’

  Despite her anxiety she smiled at that.

  ‘Then you know less than I do. I was here last year when one of the girls was in labour. She was very frightened and the midwife asked me to sit with her, to calm her.’

  ‘So you are not totally inexperienced.’

  Susannah clasped her hands together.

  ‘On that occasion the midwife had very little to do. The baby came into the world quite easily. If Jane’s birth is like that then there is nothing to worry about, but if not—’

  She broke off, the horrors of what might happen crowding in on her. The viscount took her hands; the steady strength of his fingers around hers was oddly calming.

  ‘We have no choice but to try our best.’ A faint cry from above made him lift his head. He squeezed her hands. ‘Do you feel up to this?’

  She met his eyes.

  ‘As you have said, there is no option. I must do what I can.’

  ‘Then go back upstairs. If you need me you only have to call.’

  * * *

  The hours ticked by. Susannah sat with Jane while the contractions continued. She had heard that sometimes these pains could die away, and the baby might not come for days. For a while she hoped that perhaps this would be the case and they would be able to send again for the midwife in the morning, but as the evening wore on Jane grew more restless and the pains more frequent. Susannah fetched a bowl of warm water to bathe Jane’s face and hands, and later Bessie came up with a tray, saying the viscount had ordered her to bring up tea and bread and butter for them both.

  Susannah did not touch the food but she sipped gratefully at the tea, while Jane refused everything. She shifted uncomfortably on the bed, becoming more and more restless until eventually she was gasping and straining. Susannah knew the crisis must be very near now and she held Jane’s hand tightly, praying that nothing would go wrong.

  The birth, when it came, was mercifully brief. Jane was crying out with the pain while Susannah stood by her, feeling helpless as she could do nothing but wipe her brow and murmur inadequate words of comfort. Jane’s anguish was growing by the moment and Susannah was on the point of calling for help when she saw with a mix of terror and delight that the baby was coming. Tentatively she reached out to cradle the head while she continued to encourage Jane. She watched, entranced, as the little body gradually emerged and she found herself crying with relief. The tiny form looked perfect and its angry cries were oddly reassuring. With infinite care she wiped the baby and wrapped it in a soft cloth before lifting it into its mother’s arms.

  ‘Look, Jane,’ she whispered, her voice hushed with awe and wonder. ‘You have a little girl.’

  Chapter Ten

  While Jane reclined against a bank of pillows and sleepily watched her baby taking its first, tentative feed, Susannah summoned Bessie to help clear up, then she went to tell Violet and Lizzie that all was well. The hour was advanced by the time she made her way downstairs once more and there was no sign of the viscount in the parlour. She followed the rumble of voices through to the kitchen, where she stopped in the doorway, staring in amazement.

  A black range had been installed in the huge fireplace and the viscount was standing before it, stirring the contents of a saucepan. He had removed his jacket, rolled back his voluminous shirt sleeves and tied an apron over his pristine white waistcoat. He glanced round.

  ‘Ah, you are come down at last. Do come in and shut the door. Bessie told me the news. How are your patients?’

  Susannah smiled at the term.

  ‘They are not my patients. I did very little, and we still need the midwife or a doctor to visit them as soon as the weather improves. But for now mother and baby are both well and resting.’ She looked towards the scullery, where Bessie was cleaning dishes. ‘You have had dinner, then. I am glad.’

  ‘There was a leg of mutton in the meat safe, so I have made collops for everyone.’ He reached for a frying pan and settled it over the fire. ‘Bessie and the ladies above stairs have already dined, but I was waiting for you to come down so that I could cook yours fresh for you.’

  ‘Oh, but there is no need, I am so tired, a little soup will do...’

  ‘Nonsense, you need to eat.’ He came across and took her arm, guiding her to the cook’s armchair at the head of the table. ‘Sit down there and do not move, save to drink the glass of wine I have poured for you.’

  She gave a shaky laugh. ‘I do not think I could move if I wanted to, I am quite worn out.’

  Outside the wind was buffeting the house and hurling icy pellets against the windows, but the kitchen was warm and comfortable, and Susannah was content to sit back and relax. She watched, entranced, as the viscount moved around the kitchen with all the assurance of an accomplished chef. Bessie, too, was completely at home, pottering between the kitchen and the scullery, responding to his instructions as if it was the most natural thing in the world to be directed by a peer of the realm.

  ‘I did not realise how hungry I had become,’ murmured Susannah as the viscount slid a plate in front of her.

  ‘No, you have been far too busy.’ He brought his own plate to the table, along with his glass and the decanter of wine. Before he sat down he went to the scullery.

  ‘If you have finished those dishes you may go to bed, Bessie. The rest can wait until the morning.’

  ‘Very good, m’lud. Goodnight, ma’am.’ The scullery maid bobbed an awkward curtsy and hurried away. Susannah stared after her, shaking her head.

  ‘I am amazed. You have fed everyone, with only Bessie to help you?’

  ‘I have indeed. Her understanding is not great, but knowing everyone else was occupied upstairs, she was only too willing to help where she could. She showed me where to find everything, including Mrs Gifford’s secret store of wine and cider, something I understand she did not share with Mrs Jennings! I hope you don’t mind, but I used almost a whole bottle of claret to make the sauce for the collops.’

  ‘Violet told me Bessie had brought them dinner, but she did not say... that is, I thought she had served them up a little bread and ham.’

  ‘Oh, I think we did better than that.’ Meeting her wondering gaze, he laughed. ‘I had an eccentric uncle. When we were younger, my twin and I used to stay with him at his hunting lodge in Leicester, where we would fend for ourselves. We would hunt and fish and cook whatever we could find. My uncle was firmly of the opinion that a man should never be wholly dependent upon his servants, neither his valet nor his cook.’

  ‘Then I am greatly indebted to your eccentric uncle,’ she replied, savouring the delightful combination of flavours on her plate.

  He grinned as he refilled their glasses. ‘You were otherwise engaged and it soon became clear to me that if I did not do something we would be obliged to call in old Daniel to feed everyone.’

  ‘You did very well. I am impressed by your abilities, my lord.’

  ‘As I am with yours. Not many ladies of my acquaintance could have taken on the role of midwife.’

  ‘And I am convinced no other gentleman of my acquaintance could have taken on the role of cook,’ she replied, smiling.

  He lifted his glass.

 
; ‘Perhaps we should congratulate ourselves, then.’

  She raised her own, meeting his eyes with a shy smile. All the old enmities were forgotten, for now.

  The meal was delicious and she could not help comparing it with the elaborate dinner he had given her the previous evening. Then he had been aiming to impress and she had been far too anxious to enjoy it but now, this simple meal served in such lowly surroundings was by far the best thing she had ever tasted.

  Better a dinner of herbs...

  The old proverb came to mind but she banished it quickly lest it spoil the comfortable atmosphere they were sharing.

  * * *

  By the time they had finished their meal the kitchen fire was dying and the cold was beginning to creep back into the high-ceilinged room. Susannah pushed her plate away and gave a little shiver.

  ‘Let us move to the parlour,’ suggested Jasper, putting on his coat. ‘I left the fire banked up in there. Unless, that is, you would like to retire to your room?’

  It was at that point Susannah realised that in all the confusion she had made no provision for herself, or the viscount. With so much of the house uninhabitable due to the leaking roof and the unsafe chimney stack, it would not be easy to find two free bedchambers. She decided she would think about that later. For now the lure of a warm fire was much more seductive.

  * * *

  After the cavernous kitchen the parlour was snug and welcoming. The viscount used a taper to light a single branched candlestick while Susannah went to the window.

  ‘The snow is still falling,’ she said. ‘I do not think I can ask Lucas to make another attempt to reach Priston until the morning.’

  The viscount was bending over the fire, stirring the coals into a blaze.

  ‘I agree. As soon as it is light we can send them out again.’

  ‘We? I should have thought you would be anxious to return to Bath, my lord.’

  ‘Not until I know all is well here.’

  ‘That is not necessary...’

  She trailed off as he regarded her, one dark brow raised.

  ‘You cannot be nurse, housekeeper and cook, Miss Prentess, and from what I have seen of the other inhabitants of this property they are all incapable of helping you, for one reason or another.’