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 tapped 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