Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,27
you won’t!’
Charles laughed. ‘No, I won’t. Her friend Mrs Logan is much more to my taste. I shall leave La Prentess to you, Jasper.’
They had reached the top of Milsom Street and Jasper was relieved to part from his friend. Their conversation was becoming far too uncomfortable.
* * *
A week of chill winds and snow flurries kept all but the most hardy indoors. Servants scattered cinders over the footpaths to prevent pedestrians from slipping and Aunt Maude insisted they take chairs to the Assembly Rooms the following Monday, rather than risk the horses on the icy cobbles.
Susannah expected the rooms to be very thin of company, but the Dress Ball was incentive enough for Bath’s residents to turn out in force. Susannah was wearing another new gown from Odesse, a cream silk with a finely frilled hem and short puff sleeves, the rose-coloured decoration set off by matching long gloves. She carried a silk shawl embroidered with tiny rosebuds to combat the icy air that she knew would penetrate even the building, at least until the ballroom filled up and everyone was dancing.
Gerald was looking out for her and immediately led her away to join a country dance. Susannah was surprised to find Kate was already on the floor, partnered by Charles Camerton.
‘You, Kate, dancing?’ she teased when the movement of the dance brought them together.
The widow’s self-conscious look surprised Susannah even more and when there was a break in the dancing she sought out her friend.
‘I do not think I have ever known you to dance here,’ she remarked. ‘And with Mr Camerton, too.’
Kate shrugged one white shoulder and busied herself with her fan.
‘He seems keen to dance with me. And after the way he fleeced me so unmercifully on Tuesday I thought it might help to find out what he is about.’
Susannah sighed, momentarily diverted.
‘Our losses last week were very disappointing. Aunt Maude went down a couple of hundred pounds to Lord Markham and I even lost at picquet to Gerald Barnabus.’
‘I am beginning to suspect it was a concerted effort by those three gentlemen.’
‘By Mr Camerton and the viscount, perhaps, but not Gerald, that was entirely my own fault. I was...distracted.’
‘Well, we must be on our guard,’ said Kate. ‘Such losses cannot be sustained for long.’
‘Perhaps we should refuse to admit Mr Camerton and the viscount in future.’
Kate’s response was swift.
‘Oh, no, we must hope they keep coming.’ She added airily, ‘That is why I am going to dance again with Mr Camerton now. I hope to lull him into complacency, so that when we play again I will catch him off-guard.’
Kate sailed off in search of her prey. She was clearly enjoying herself and Susannah was not convinced by the reasons she had given for dancing with Mr Camerton.
‘Something amuses you, Miss Prentess?’
The viscount’s voice at her shoulder was warm and seductive, like being wrapped in sables. Susannah scolded herself for being fanciful.
‘I have been talking to Mrs Logan. She always amuses me.’
He glanced across the room.
‘She certainly seems to be on the best of terms with Charles Camerton. He is leading her out for another dance.’ He held out his arm. ‘Shall we join them?’
Susannah had already made up her mind that she would avoid the viscount whenever possible, but surely Kate’s arguments had some merit. Perhaps instead of alienating Lord Markham she should try harder to charm him. In that case, it was clearly her duty to dance with him.
She placed her fingers on his arm and accompanied him on to the dance floor. It was a lively affair and Susannah enjoyed it immensely. She was surprised when the music ended—surely the orchestra had stopped too soon? Lord Markham invited her to remain on the floor for a second set and she thought it would be churlish to refuse him.
* * *
When he finally led her from the floor she was happy to stand with him at the side of the room, watching the dancing. Even when he mentioned seeing her carriage on the Wells Road again she was not discomposed.
‘Surely it is no one’s business if my servants use my carriage for their errands?’
‘True.’ He guided her to an empty bench and sat down beside her. ‘It is, however, unusual. But in an heiress such extravagance will not be criticised.’
It was on the tip of her tongue to explain that for the next couple of years she had no access to anything more than an allowance, but that would undermine her explanation. She