‘And what of your own actions, sir?’ Susannah demanded, her voice icy. ‘Do you hold yourself blameless in all this?’
‘No, no, not at all! When she told me, I w-was frightened, I refused to acknowledge that the child was mine. I thought Mr Anstruther would call me out, that I should be disgraced.’
‘As you deserved to be,’ put in Aunt Maude, with uncharacteristic severity.
He turned to look at her.
‘I know, ma’am. I am well aware of that. It took me a long time to come to my senses, to realise that I had to present myself to her parents, to own up to my actions and ask for Violet’s hand in marriage. But then, when I arrived at the house and was told she was not there—’
‘So why do you come to me, Mr Warwick?’
‘I have scoured the city, I called at Walcot Street, but they denied all knowledge of Miss Anstruther. Your charity is my last hope. I have no idea where the house may be, but I remember hearing that it is a refuge for young ladies such as Violet. So I came here, hoping, praying, that she might be one of the lucky ones.’ His wild, frightened eyes fixed themselves upon Susannah. ‘Tell me if she is there, Miss Prentess.’
Susannah watched him. There was no doubt of his distress.
‘And if she should be under my care,’ she said slowly, ‘what do you intend by her?’
‘To throw myself at her feet, to beg her forgiveness and to make amends. I want to marry her, Miss Prentess, if she will have me. If not, I want to support her and my child. I must make some reparation for what I have done.’
Mrs Wilby sat forwards, saying gently, ‘That is all very well, Mr Warwick, but we would need to ascertain the young lady’s wishes in this case.’
‘But that is not the end of it.’ Mr Warwick was on his feet again. ‘William Farthing told me that his mother had written to Mrs Anstruther, suggesting Violet might be at Florence House. He said his mother had received a reply this morning. Mr Anstruther is even now on his way to Bath, intent upon taking his daughter back to Shropshire with him. You do not know him, Miss Prentess. He is a cruel man, he will incarcerate her and force her to give up the child, if it is allowed to live. And Violet is under age—he is still her legal guardian.’
‘Well goodness gracious me!’
Susannah paid little heed to her aunt’s exclamation. She was thinking quickly.
‘Very well, Mr Warwick. Can you have a travelling carriage here first thing tomorrow morning? I will take you to Florence House to see Violet. If she is agreeable, then my maid shall accompany you both to Gretna Green. However, the decision must be Violet’s. If she does not want to go with you then I will find somewhere to hide her.’
Mrs Wilby gave a little shriek.
‘But, Susannah, if her father should bring the law down upon us...’
Susannah shrugged. ‘We will deal with that problem if and when it arises.’ She rose. ‘I suggest you go home now, Mr Warwick, and get some sleep.’
He came up and clasped her hand, kissing it fervently.
‘Thank you, ma’am, thank you. I shall be here at eight, without fail!’
Chapter Sixteen
The sun streaming through the curtains roused Jasper. He looked at his watch. It was very early, but he knew he would not sleep again. Today he was going to ask Susannah Prentess to marry him. There had been no reply from Royal Crescent, and he was sure that if Susannah was going to refuse him she would have replied immediately. He got up, calling for Peters to bring hot water. He would shave now and get dressed. Not in the clothes he planned to wear for his visit to Royal Crescent, but the plain dark riding coat and buckskins that he could walk out in, to pass the hours until he could see Susannah. He strode out of the town and up on to Beechen Cliff. The wind was warm, a promise of the summer to come. Jasper smiled to himself. A good omen, perhaps? A sign that the gods were smiling upon him. He heard the distant chiming of a bell on the breeze as he headed back towards York House. As long as there was no note waiting for him, he would call on Susannah at ten o’clock. There was plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast and to change into his morning coat and knee breeches before setting off for the most momentous meeting of his life.
‘Peters, Peters! Where the devil are you?’ He strode through the rooms, frowning. Then he heard the scurry of footsteps behind him.
‘My lord, thank heaven you are back!’ Peters ran in, one hand on his chest which was heaving alarmingly as he gasped out his explanation. ‘I was out collecting your best shirt from the laundrywoman. Knew you would want to wear it this morning. I was about to cross Gay Street when a travelling carriage comes down the road. Naturally I stepped back out of the way, but happened to look up as it went past me, and I saw who was in it.’
‘Well, what of it?’
Jasper looked at him impatiently, he had more important things on his mind. Should he wear his white quilted waistcoat or the oyster satin with the pearl buttons?
‘It was Miss Prentess, my lord. Large as life.’
Jasper forgot about waistcoats.
‘What? Are you quite sure?’
‘Yes, my lord. The carriage was forced to slow to wait for a bullock cart to get out of the way and I had plenty of time to look.’ Peters paused to regain his breath.
‘And is there a note for me from Royal Crescent?’
‘No, my lord. I left word at the desk that any messages were to be brought upstairs immediately.’ The valet added in a colourless voice, ‘She was travelling with young Mr Warwick, my lord.’
His words hit Jasper like cold water. She was running away from him. She knew he intended to make her an offer and she was too afraid to tell him to his face that she could not marry him. So that was it. Over.
Peters was still talking.
‘It was a smart turn-out, my lord, four horses, no expense spared, I’d say, and a couple of trunks strapped to the roof. I’ve got a lad following the carriage to see which way they are heading and to report back. And I sent word to the stable for Morton to bring your curricle round.’
Jasper turned on him with and growl.
‘Dammit, Peters, I have never yet chased after any woman!’
The valet gave him a long stare.
‘This isn’t any woman, my lord. It is Miss Prentess.’
Aye, and she didn’t want to face him. First she had used Gerald Barnabus to protect her. Now Warwick. Devil take it, why should he care?
Only Warwick was not Gerald. Warwick was not a diffident young man who would treat Susannah gently if she refused his advances. Jasper did not know the man well, but if the rumours were anything to go by he was a hot-headed young buck who had already ruined one lady’s reputation.
He picked up his hat and gloves.
‘By God you are right. I must go after her!’
* * *
Susannah paced up and down the parlour at Florence House, anxiously pulling her gloves through her hands. Mrs Gifford was sitting by the window quietly mending a pillowcase.
‘Perhaps I should not leave them alone.’
Mrs Gifford looked up, her kindly old eyes twinkling.
‘My dear, Violet was quite happy to afford the young man a private interview.’
‘I know, but perhaps he is coercing her.’
‘They are only in the next room. She has but to raise her voice and we would hear it.’ The housekeeper picked up her scissors and snipped the thread. ‘Be patient,’ she said, putting away her needle and folding up the pillowcase. ‘You were sufficiently convinced of Mr Warwick’s sincerity to bring him here. Now let him make his case to the lady.’
Susannah stopped pacing.
‘I may be wrong,’ she said. ‘Until very recently I would not put my trust in any man—’ She broke off as the adjoining door opened and the young couple came in. One look at Violet’s happy face told her that everything was well.
‘Miss Anstruther has consented to become my wife,’ declared Mr Warwick, following Violet into the parlour. He caught her hand and smiled down at h
er. ‘We want to be married immediately, so that no disgrace shall be attached to my child.’
The proud note in his voice as he uttered the last two words was unmistakable. Mrs Gifford caught Susannah’s eye and smiled.
‘That is settled then.’ The housekeeper got up from her chair and came forwards to envelope Violet in a motherly embrace. ‘I wish you very well, my dear.’
‘You understand what you must do?’ Susannah asked Violet.
The girl nodded. ‘We fly to Scotland immediately, I understand that.’
‘But Miss Prentess is sending her own maid to act as your chaperon and look after you until we can be married,’ Mr Warwick told her. He addressed Susannah. ‘I will not risk a meeting with Anstruther until Violet is my wife, but once I have her safe then I shall write to him. I hope he will recognise the connection.’
‘And if he will not?’ asked Susannah gently.
‘Then I shall take Violet to my own family. I have already written to apprise them of the situation.’ The young man met her gaze steadily. ‘I have told them what a fool I was not to accept my responsibilities immediately.’
‘Oh, no, no,’ cried Violet. ‘You were shocked, frightened, I quite understand.’
His arm went about her.
‘Ah, sweetheart, you are an angel to be so forgiving, but I must bear some blame...’
‘Yes, yes, you can discuss all this in the carriage,’ Susannah interrupted them. ‘If you are going to make any headway at all today then you need to be setting off as soon as may be. We know your father is on his way to Bath, Violet. It would be better if he did not find you here.’
‘No indeed.’ Violet’s eyes darkened with fear. ‘I will go and collect my things, and I must say goodbye to Jane and Lizzie, and the babies.’
She hurried away, returning a few minutes later with her meagre belongings packed in a single portmanteau and her travelling cloak around her shoulders. Mrs Gifford provided a basket of food and a flask of wine to refresh them on their journey and Susannah accompanied them to the door, where the carriage was waiting.
‘I cannot tell you how very grateful I am to you, Miss Prentess.’ Violet hugged her. ‘Without your kindness I do not know what would have become of me.’
‘You need not think of that now. You have no doubts about marrying Mr Warwick?’
‘Oh, no, none at all.’ Violet’s eyes positively shone at the prospect. ‘But how will you manage without your maid? Who knows how long we will be gone?’
‘I shall miss her, of course, but she is by far the best person to look after you on your long journey,’ replied Susannah, sending a laughing glance towards her servant as she helped Violet into the carriage. ‘You have sufficient money with you, Dorcas? I do not want you to leave Miss Anstruther until she has hired a suitable maid.’
‘Don’t you worry, miss, I’ll make sure she takes on someone that knows how to look after her. ’Tis you I am more concerned about, miss,’ said the maid gruffly. ‘Without me to dress you.’
‘I shall fetch Mary upstairs to help me,’ replied Susannah. ‘You said yourself she has ambitions to be a lady’s maid. Now go along, and look after your new charge.’
A flurry of goodbyes, a few last minute words of advice and the carriage was shut up.
‘Ah, they are such children,’ declared Mrs Gifford, wiping her eyes with the corner of her apron. ‘I pray they will be happy.’
‘So, too, do I,’ muttered Susannah fervently.
She stepped back and raised her hand in a final salute as the coachman gathered up the reins. He was about to pull away when the clatter of hooves announced another vehicle approaching.
‘Oh, good heavens, who can this be?’ exclaimed Mrs Gifford. ‘Never say Mr Anstruther is here already!’
‘No indeed.’ Susannah’s voice faltered as she recognised the curricle sweeping through the gateway. ‘It is Lord Markham.’
He had seen her. He checked his horses and turned on to the carriage circle. Susannah looked at the coachman.
‘He is not obstructing the gates, you can go. Quickly.’ She turned to the housekeeper. ‘You too should go inside, Mrs Gifford. I will join you presently.’
She stepped on to the drive in front of the approaching curricle. If the viscount had any thoughts of pursuing the carriage then she would at least delay him.
‘Lord Markham,’ she hailed him cheerfully. ‘What brings you here?’
He brought the horses to a plunging halt, just feet away from her.
‘I might ask you the same question.’ He waited until his groom had run to the horses’ heads and jumped down. ‘And who was driving away in that carriage?’
She knew of no connection between the viscount and Mr Warwick or Violet Anstruther, but she could not be sure. She kept her smile in place.
‘There is a cold wind, my lord, and I have left my cloak in the parlour. Shall we continue this discussion indoors?’ She heard his firm step on the gravel as he followed her to the house. The parlour was empty and the viscount closed the door upon them with a snap.
‘Now will you tell me what the devil is going on?’
Jasper sounded angry and she turned to him, frowning slightly.
‘I do not understand you.’
‘You were seen leaving Bath this morning. In the company of Mr Warwick.’
‘What of it?’
‘You could have told me you would not be at home.’
Her frown deepened.
‘Why should I do that? This is no business of yours.’
He looked as if he would argue, then thought better of it.
‘So why has he left you here? Where has he gone?’
She regarded him in silence for a few moments. She did not understand him. Yesterday he had been so friendly, so understanding that she had wanted to confide in him, to have no secrets between them. But that had been a mistake. He had clearly been shocked and appalled at what she had told him, for he had left her abruptly, with no word of comfort, nothing to say he wanted to continue the acquaintance. Now here he was, frowning at her, demanding to know what she was about. Did he think because he had stayed at Florence House, helped her during the birth of Jane’s baby, that he was entitled to an explanation? She tried to put aside her own hurt feelings and think logically.
‘You had better sit down, my lord, and I will try to explain.’
‘Thank you, I prefer to stand.’
‘Very well.’ She sank down into the armchair beside the fire. ‘There was talk in Bath—you may have heard it—that Mr Warwick was the father of Violet Anstruther’s baby.’
‘What of it?’
‘It is true. Mr Warwick initially denied all involvement in the case, but when Violet disappeared he had a change of heart. He has been searching for her for some time, I believe. He came to me last night to ask if she was here. He wanted to make reparation, to marry her. He appeared to be in earnest so I brought him to see her.’
‘In a travelling carriage.’
‘He has taken her to the border.’
‘So you were not running away with him.’
‘Of course not!’
‘But it was very convenient for you, to go out of Bath so early this morning, Miss Prentess.’
She blinked at the scathing note in his voice. She had cried herself to sleep last night over the loss of his friendship, but that was over. He could not touch her heart, hurt her, ever again.
‘It was necessary,’ she said coldly. ‘Mr Warwick believes Mr Anstruther is even now on his way here to wrest his daughter away from us. May I ask why you are so interested in this case, my lord? What is it to you?’
‘I have no interest at all in Warwick and Miss Anstruther.’ He was pacing up and down, his black brows drawn together. ‘But it is not the first time you have left Bath to avoid meeting me.’
‘I do not know what you are talking about.’
He stopped pacing and stared at her.
‘Did you not receive my note?’
&nb
sp; ‘Note, sir? What note? What did it say?’
She fancied a dull flush tinged his cheek, but he turned away and she could not be sure.
‘Nothing. It is not important. Tell me, Miss Prentess. How do you intend to get back to Bath?’
‘Do you know, my lord, until this moment I had not considered. I have no idea.’
He came to stand before her, calm and assured.
‘Then I can offer you a solution, madam. My curricle is outside. I will convey you to Royal Crescent.’
Susannah might tell herself she felt nothing for him, but when Jasper was standing over her, the capes of his driving coat making his shoulders look so impossibly broad, it was difficult to ignore his powerful presence. Her heart was thudding painfully in her chest but she tried to think sensibly. It was a perfectly logical solution. A dignified, graceful acceptance was all that was required, but her nerves had been at full stretch the whole morning and she could not control the torrent of words that poured forth.
‘Thank you. Unless perhaps I should remain here in case Mr Anstruther should appear. What do you think? I do not consider it at all likely that he will arrive today, and I have every confidence that Mrs Gifford will be able to convince him that his daughter was never here—we keep a record of all our residents of course, but she enters false names for them, you see.’
Susannah listened to herself, horrified, knowing she had only stopped because she had run out of breath.
‘I believe you can leave Mrs Gifford to deal with Mr Anstruther, if he should arrive,’ replied Jasper. ‘You should come back to Bath with me, now.’
‘Very well.’ She rose and went to the table to collect her bonnet and gloves. ‘I must say that your arrival is very convenient. I would have had to ask old Daniel to take me home in the gig.’
His lips twitched.
‘I fear that a common gig would never do for you, Miss Prentess.’
He picked up her cloak and put it around her shoulders. The touch of his hands, fleeting though it was, instantly brought a reaction. Her body tensed, every nerve on end, anticipating the next contact. Dear heaven, she must get over this! She quickly stepped away from him.
Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager Page 22
