Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,53
work of any kind.’
‘And your scullery maid, willing as she is, can only work under instruction.’ The viscount pulled the spindle-legged sofa closer to the fire and sat down. ‘Tomorrow we will send Morton and your footman to Priston with instructions to fetch the midwife and try if they can to find a good woman who is prepared to live here and run the house until your own housekeeper returns.’ He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to speak. ‘Please do not argue. If that fails, as soon as the road is clear, Morton shall drive into Bath and find a suitable female through the registry office.’
‘You seem to have thought of everything, my lord.’
‘I know very well that you will not leave here until you know your guests are provided for.’
‘True.’
‘Then if we have settled that point, perhaps it is time we retired.’
‘Ah. That might be a slight problem.’ Susannah stared at her hands clasped in her lap. ‘I did not think to have Bessie prepare rooms for us. I imagine Mrs Gifford’s room will be usable, but the other three bedrooms in this part of the house are already occupied by the young ladies. If I had thought of it earlier I would have had a truckle bed made up in Violet’s room for myself—’
‘Out of the question. I shall sleep here on the sofa.’
She sighed with relief.
‘That is very good of you. I will go and find you some blankets.’
‘Not necessary,’ he said. ‘The fire and my driving coat will suffice to keep me warm.’
With a chuckle she rose and went to the door.
‘Oh, no, I must show some respect for your position, Lord Markham.’
The corners of his mouth lifted.
‘Why change now, Miss Prentess? So far in our acquaintance you have shown no regard for my position at all!’
With a laugh gurgling in her throat she whisked herself out of the room, returning a few minutes later with blankets and a pillow.
‘Brrr, it is cold once you step outside this room,’ she said, putting the bedding down on a chair. ‘I looked in on the others while I was upstairs; everyone is sleeping peacefully, even the new mother and baby.’ Jasper was kneeling by the hearth, stirring the contents of a large pewter jug. ‘Cooking again, my lord?’
‘Mulled cider,’ he said. ‘Watch.’
He pulled the poker out of the fire and carefully lowered the red-hot tip into the jug where it sizzled and hissed, sending a spicy aroma into the air. Susannah breathed it in, appreciating the scent of apples and spices. He filled two rummers with the fragrant, steaming liquid and held one out to her.
‘Perhaps you would join me?’
Susannah knew she should retire, but she had peeped into Mrs Gifford’s bedchamber. It was cold and unwelcoming, with no cheerful fire burning. She was loath to return to it, so she accepted the glass and sat down beside him on the sofa. They were enveloped in the warm glow from the fire and Susannah found the dancing flames strangely soothing
‘Why are you doing this?’ she asked him suddenly.
‘I told you, my eccentric uncle...’
‘No, I mean, why did you stay here today, why are you showing such kindness to me? After last night...’
He waved one hand, the heavy gold signet ring glinting as it caught the firelight.
‘Last night I thought you were leading Gerald astray. I did not know he was a party to all this. Silly cawker, why did he not tell me?’
‘Pray do not blame Gerald, I made him swear to tell no one.’
He said quietly, ‘That was almost your undoing.’
She felt the colour stealing into her cheeks, and it had little to do with the cider. She thought it best to keep silent and after a moment he continued.
‘This place must be very important to you, to risk coming out on such a day.’
‘It is.’
‘More than just charitable goodwill, I think. I noticed the new sign as we came in. Have you changed the house name? Was that your idea, or Mrs Logan’s?’
The cider was dispelling the chill inside, just as the fire was warming her skin. She felt very mellow, and comfortable enough for confidences.
‘Mine.’
‘Will you not tell me?’ His voice was gentle. ‘Who was Florence?’
‘She was my sister.’
Jasper caught his breath. At last she was prepared to tell him the truth.
‘Was?’
He waited while she sipped at her drink. She was staring into the fire, a faraway look in her eyes.