Dorcas turned to stare at her.
‘It’s just a saying, miss, as well you knows. And I’m sure if you want a gown altering then ’tis no business of mine.’
Susannah quickly begged pardon and sat meekly while her maid dressed her hair, fervently hoping that she would be able to get through the rest of the evening without blushing again over the events of the past few days.
* * *
By Sunday the snow was melting, leaving the ground waterlogged and the sky grey and overcast. Susannah wondered if Jasper had left Bath, now that he knew she had no intention of marrying Gerald. She realised she would be very sorry if she did not see him again. Then she remembered his final words to her—it may be best if we do not meet for a few days. Her hopes rose. Surely that could only mean he was remaining in Bath? With this in mind she took particular care over her choice of walking dress for the Sunday morning service in the Abbey. A watery sun broke through the clouds as she descended from the carriage, prompting her aunt to hope that they had seen the last of the winter weather.
The walk to the Abbey doors was a short one, but Susannah was aware of the frowning looks that were cast her way as she accompanied her aunt. A frisson of nerves tingled down her spine. Did they know about her meetings with Lord Markham? To dine with him in York House had been a risk, but that was compounded by being stranded with him at Florence House the following night. Head high, she tucked her hand in Aunt Maude’s arm and accompanied her into the Abbey. A quick look around convinced Susannah that the viscount was not present. She was disappointed, but considering the looks she had received, she thought perhaps it was for the best.
The service seemed interminably long and Susannah was impatient to be outside again where she could confront those who were casting such disapproving stares in her direction. Better to know the worst immediately. At last they were making their way out through the doors and into the spring sunshine. Aunt Maude had been blissfully unaware of the frosty looks and now sailed up to Mr and Mrs Farthing, who were conversing with Amelia Bulstrode.
‘Oh, Mrs Wilby, I did not see you there.’ Mrs Bulstrode stopped, flustered, her eyes flickering to Susannah and away again. ‘Heavens, I did not expect—that is, with all the talk, I thought you might prefer not to come here today.’
‘Talk?’ Aunt Maude glanced at Susannah, a crease furrowing her brow. ‘Perhaps I have missed something. I have not been outside the house since Thursday.’
‘Then you will not know that everyone is talking about the new establishment you have seen fit to create,’ Mrs Farthing’s strident tones cut in. She turned to Susannah, her rather protuberant eyes snapping angrily. ‘I suppose you think yourself superior, Miss Prentess, to be setting up your own house for fallen women. Our establishment in Walcot Street is not good enough for you. I wonder what your uncle would think if he knew you had put one of his houses to such use.’
So it was Florence House that had started such a fluttering in the dovecotes. Relief allowed Susannah to respond mildly to the accusations.
‘I beg your pardon, ma’am, but you said yourself the Walcot Street home cannot cope with the number of applicants. My own small attempt to help distressed gentlewomen...’
‘Gentlewomen!’ Mrs Farthing snorted. ‘Trollops, they are. Wanton hussies, flaunting themselves before the young men. Is it any wonder that they find themselves in difficulties? Rather than trying to set up your own establishment, you should contribute to ours. I do not know why you want to pander to these females, setting them up in their own house out of town with a cook and a housekeeper and treating them as guests. Guests! They should be made to work, to understand the error of their ways. And if she were my niece, Mrs Wilby—’ she turned her attack towards Aunt Maude ‘—I would strongly counsel her to leave these matters to those who understand them.’
‘I’m afraid she is right,’ added Mr Farthing, smiling at Susannah in a very patronising way. ‘You young
ladies like your worthy causes, I know, but my dear wife has the right of it. You should not be associating with these creatures, lest you become tainted.’
Susannah’s temper reared at that, but Aunt Maude nipped her arm. Somehow she managed to hold her peace while Mrs Wilby smiled and nodded and said all that was necessary before leading her away.
‘Tainted!’ Susannah almost ground her teeth in annoyance. ‘Why, Aunt, if anyone is to talk of arrogance—’
‘I know, my dear, but few people are as liberal as you.’ Aunt Maude patted her arm as she guided her firmly towards the waiting carriage. ‘It is the reason we told no one about your little scheme, is it not? How on earth did word get out?’
Susannah wondered this, too, and she considered the matter during the short drive back to Royal Crescent.
‘I do not believe it could have come from the servants, I pay them very well for their discretion.’
‘Mrs Farthing did seem to be particularly well informed,’ mused Aunt Maude as the carriage pulled up at their door. ‘I suppose the truth was bound to come out at some point.’
‘But not yet,’ muttered Susannah. ‘Not now.’
She followed Aunt Maude into the house, where they divested themselves of their coats before repairing to the drawing room.
‘It could be very damaging if the connection between Odesse and Florence House is known,’ said Aunt Maude. ‘She is not yet well established, and the knowledge might affect her business. If that happened we would have to find another market for the lace, too. But who could have let it slip? Apart from the servants only you, me and Kate Logan know the truth.’
Susannah walked to the window and stared out. Suddenly the spring sun did not seem quite so bright.
‘There is another,’ she said slowly. ‘Lord Markham knows the truth.’
‘What?’
Susannah turned from the window. She could not bring herself to meet her aunt’s astonished gaze.
‘He followed me on Friday morning. I was obliged to explain to him. Everything.’
‘Oh heavens!’ Aunt Maude fell back in her chair, one hand pressed to her breast. ‘Why did you not say earlier, my dear? I suppose you thought it not worth a mention. And when I recall how bad the weather was on Friday, I suppose we must think ourselves lucky that he was not snowed up with you.’
‘Well, actually, ma’am...’
* * *
It took all Susannah’s reassurance and the judicious use of her aunt’s silver vinaigrette bottle to bring Mrs Wilby back to a semblance of normality. She would not rest until she had heard the whole story. She was shocked, scandalised, not least when Susannah told her that the viscount had cooked dinner for them all.
‘Well he is a very odd sort of man,’ she declared, fanning herself rapidly. ‘To remain in the house while you were all at sixes and sevens with the birth. And you say he did not insist upon taking the best bedchamber? Very odd indeed.’
‘He was content to sleep in the parlour and leave Mrs Gifford’s room for me.’ Susannah was relieved when her aunt accepted the inference. She feared that not even the vinaigrette would help if she had to confess to spending the night in the same room as the viscount.
‘Oh good heavens, what a tangle,’ declared Mrs Wilby. ‘It is bad enough that everyone knows you are involved in Florence House. If they should discover that you spent the night there, alone, with Lord Markham—’
‘I was hardly alone, Aunt,’ objected Susannah. ‘There was the scullery maid, three other ladies and two babies in the house, too.’
‘As if that makes it any better! I suppose it is too much to hope that the viscount has left Bath. He was not at the Abbey.’
‘Neither was Mr Barnabus.’
‘That is true.’ Mrs Wilby sighed. ‘Perhaps we should attend the ball in the Upper Rooms tomorrow night, after all, to make a show of indifference.’
Susannah shook her head.
‘We agreed we would go to the Fancy Ball on Thursday this week. We mentioned it to several of our acquaintances. I d
o not see that we should change our plans because of a little talk.’
‘Then we must wait until Tuesday to see what effect this has upon our card party.’
Susannah was inclined to be optimistic.
‘It is a matter of little importance to anyone but ourselves. I hope we will find our rooms as busy as ever.’
* * *
But when Tuesday arrived several of their usual guests sent their apologies and there was a depressing number of empty tables in the room. Susannah was relieved to see Gerald Barnabus arrive and several other young gentleman came in shortly after, but Susannah heard them telling her aunt that Mr Warwick would not be joining them.
‘He said he had a prior engagement, but we think otherwise,’ declared Mr Edmonds, grinning at his friends. ‘Your links with a certain house in the country appear to have upset him badly.’
‘Aye, guilty conscience, most likely,’ added William Farthing with a grating laugh that reminded Susannah very much of his mother.
Mrs Wilby raised her brows. The young man coloured and immediately begged pardon before moving off quickly with his friends to find amusement at one of the card tables. Susannah turned away, pretending to be busy until they had passed. Their amusement was almost worse than the disapproval of the older members of Bath society. She hoped her aunt’s obvious displeasure at their laughter would prevent the matter being raised again, but when several of them joined Susannah at the loo table, she discovered that they were more than ready to tease her about Florence House. She tried to keep her temper, but their constant gibes made her call a halt.
‘I pray you will say no more, gentlemen. This is a cause that should be supported by every Christian, not ridiculed. You at least should realise that, Mr Farthing, since your own mother is so closely involved with Walcot Street.’ She handed the cards to the gentleman on her right and rose from the table. ‘Pray continue the game for me, Mr Edmonds, I have had enough for tonight.’
She walked away, trying to calm herself. She should have known what to expect.
‘Miss Prentess.’ She turned to find Gerald beside her. He gave her a rueful smile. ‘So Florence House is no longer a secret.’
‘And the subject of much merriment,’ she said bitterly. ‘The jokes and winks, the innuendo—’
‘They are young and thoughtless,’ he said pacifically. ‘It is unusual for an unmarried lady to be involved in such a charity. You know yourself most young ladies would deny all knowledge of such matters.’
‘I would very much like to know how the secret got out,’ she said. ‘I don’t suppose it was you...’
‘Good Gad, Susannah, you know I would not say anything! I did not even tell Jasper about it.’
‘No, of course not.’ She smiled, and after a few moments he went off to join in a game of whist.
Susannah moved to a corner table, ostensibly to trim a flickering candle, but this was only an excuse to have a few moments to herself.
‘You are very pensive.’ Mrs Logan approached her.
‘Kate,’ Susannah kissed her cheek. ‘I did not see you arrive. How are you?’
‘Well, thank you.’ Kate searched her face. ‘But you are looking pale, Susannah. What is wrong?’
‘Oh, nothing.’ She tried to dismiss it with a smile. ‘I am merely wondering how everyone knows about Florence House. I have spoken to the servants, and I am convinced not one of them has said anything about it. Gerald, too, swears he has not said a word.’ She bit her lip. That left only Jasper.
You may rely upon me to say nothing of Florence House.
In her mind’s eye she saw his image again, standing at the carriage door, solid, secure...and unreliable. He had let her down, and it hurt all the more because she had been so sure she could trust him. Giving herself a mental shake, she dragged up a smile.
‘Well, it cannot be helped. We must do what we can to continue. Will you play vingt-et-un tonight, Kate? The winnings from the table are badly needed. I have paid Mr Tyler for the moment, but there will be more bills.’
‘Of course, although only until Char—I mean, Mr Camerton arrives.’
‘Oh, will he be coming then? Is be bringing the viscount?’
‘I can only vouch for Mr Camerton,’ replied Kate, a heightened colour in her cheeks. ‘I do not think he has seen Lord Markham at all this week.’
‘My biggest problem with Mr Camerton is that he wins far too often.’ Susannah said it lightly, but she was half in earnest. She had noticed that when Charles Camerton was at the table, Kate’s attention was not given fully to the game, and she could ill afford more losses.
* * *
The following morning Susannah’s worst fears were confirmed. Their rooms had been only half-full, and when Mrs Wilby totted up the figures she reported sadly that they had made only thirty pounds.
‘Hardly enough to pay for the supper.’ Aunt Maude put down her pen. ‘And nothing from Kate. She was playing picquet with Mr Camerton for most of the evening. One can only guess what her losses must be. I cannot understand why she continues to play against him.’
‘Can you not, Aunt?’ Susannah rubbed her arms. ‘I think she is in love with him.’
‘Kate? I do not believe it. She has completely forsworn men.’
‘That is what I thought, too. I thought she felt as I do.’
‘But if she is in love...’
‘I know,’ said Susannah in a hollow voice. ‘Everything has changed. And it is all Lord Markham’s fault, damn him!’
‘Susannah!’
She coloured and quickly begged pardon. ‘But it was the viscount who brought Charles Camerton to our rooms, and he betrayed me—us.’
‘I am inclined to be philosophical,’ her aunt responded. ‘Florence House could not remain a secret for ever, and I cannot be sorry if Kate has found a man to love her.’
‘Her first husband was a brute,’ declared Susannah. ‘In Gibraltar his viciousness was the talk of the regiment. I only hope she will not be hurt again.’
‘My love, not all men are undeserving scoundrels,’ said Aunt Maude gently. ‘I was happily married to a good, kind man for fifteen years. Why, even Lord Markham may have his good points. At least he does not appear to have told anyone about Odesse.’
‘He should not have told anyone anything,’ retorted Susannah. ‘He promised me—’ She broke off, determined not to give in to the dull aching misery inside her. ‘Enough of this. We shall come about, so let us not be too despondent. The sun is shining, Odesse has just delivered my new walking dress, so I shall take a stroll in Sydney Gardens. Will you come with me?’
No more was said about the card party and Aunt Maude was content to accept Susannah’s assurances that all would be well. A visit to Odesse confirmed that her business was still doing well. In fact she reported that the number of customers was increasing, but despite that, Susannah felt the leaden weight inside. It was not that the secret of Florence House was out, but the fact that she had trusted Jasper, and he had let her down.
* * *
As they made their way to the Upper Rooms for Thursday’s ball Aunt Maude wondered aloud how many of their acquaintance knew about her patronage of Florence House, and how many would show their disapproval. Susannah made a brave response, but she was secretly relieved to find that they were not completely ignored when they entered the ballroom.
A short distance from the door a group of young bucks stood talking. Susannah knew them all, but as they approached one of them looked up. For a moment he glared at her, then turned and strode off.
‘Dear me, it appears we have indeed offended Mr Warwick,’ murmured Aunt Wilby.
She spoke quietly, but a young gentleman making his bow to Susannah overheard and grinned.
‘Take no notice of Warwick, Miss Prentess, he’s been like a bear with a sore head recently. Probably worrying over some female.’ He laughed heartily, then he leaned closer, saying confidentially, ‘We’ve told him, ma’am, that if it’s that sort of trouble...’ he tappe
d his nose
‘...then the gal might be glad of your little, ah, charity.’ With a knowing grin he linked arms with his companions and walked away.
‘I suppose we shall have to accustom ourselves to such talk,’ remarked Mrs Wilby in a tone of long-suffering. ‘It will die away soon enough, once there is some other juicy gossip to replace it.’
Susannah knew this to be true, but it angered her to think all her careful preparations for Florence House might be jeopardised because the secret had been revealed too soon, and by a man who assured her she could trust him.
She had convinced herself that she never wanted to see Lord Markham again, that she could shrug her shoulders and put him from her mind, but when she saw him conversing with Gerald Barnabus all the pent-up anger of the past few days came flooding back.
As if aware of her eyes upon him, the viscount looked up. He touched Gerald’s arm and the two men approached. Susannah watched in growing anger and amazement as Jasper made his bow to her aunt. He was completely at his ease. She glared at him, but it had no effect. When he addressed her she quickly turned away from him, causing her filmy muslin skirts to flounce around her. How dare he think he could betray her and get away with it!
‘Miss Prentess, are you not well?’
‘Perfectly, thank you.’ She wanted to ignore him but he took her elbow and in the confusion of the crowded room he adroitly moved her away from her aunt.
‘Are you cross with me for staying away for so long?’ he said quietly. ‘I beg your pardon, but I had business to attend to, and thought, in the circumstances—’
‘In the circumstances, my lord,’ she interrupted him savagely, ‘it would be better if you stayed away for good,’
‘What is this? What have I done to offend you?’
‘As if you did not know!’
His brows snapped together.
‘No, I do not know. When we parted on Saturday—’
‘On Saturday you promised not to mention Florence House to anyone.’
‘And I have not done so.’
‘Why, then, is everyone talking of it? Why have I been subjected to cold stares and even been snubbed by my erstwhile acquaintances?’
Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager Page 15
