Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,49
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.’