Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,70
that overwhelming passion he called up so easily within her, but that would mean disaster. He was the flame, she the moth. He would destroy her. Summoning up every reserve of energy she could find, she nodded to him and forced herself to turn and walk away.
Susannah did not go in search of her aunt, instead she wandered around the ballroom, which was deserted now save for little chattering groups that had no wish for refreshment. How had it happened? How had this man come into her world and turned it upside down? She did not need this, did not want it. She wanted only to go back to the safe certainties of the life she had known, where she was in control, in charge of her own happiness. She sank down on a chair, unseeing eyes staring at the empty dance floor. He did not want to marry her but he felt obliged to, because he had compromised her reputation. Despite that he would come to the Crescent, as he had promised. He would talk to Aunt Maude, he would propose. He would take her hand, look into her eyes and she would be powerless to refuse him.
‘I can’t let that happen,’ she whispered. ‘I c-cannot let myself be subjugated by him. No man shall ever be my master.’
She wrapped her arms about herself and began to rock backwards and forwards. There must be a way to prevent it.
‘Miss Prentess, are you unwell?’
General Sanstead was bending over her, his kindly face creased with concern. She forced herself to get up, to smile at him.
‘I am perfectly well, thank you General. I, um, I need to find someone...’
She walked off, her limbs feeling strangely stiff and difficult to control. She must go home immediately. She would leave Bath, go away where no one could find her. People were beginning to return to the ballroom now, and one of the first to come through the door was Gerald Barnabus. He saw her immediately.
‘Good heavens, Susannah, you are as white as a sheet. Are you unwell?’
‘Yes—no—I must get away from here.’ She clutched at his outstretched hand, trying to remain calm and not burst into tears.
‘Yes, of course, my dear. We will find Mrs Wilby. But is there anything I can do?’
‘Oh, Gerald, I have made such a mess of everything. I am afraid—’
‘Afraid of what?’
She could not bring herself to tell him about Jasper. She said distractedly, ‘Of being alone.’
His grip on her hand tightened.
‘Well that is easily resolved,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Have I not asked you to marry me countless times? You only have to say the word and you need never be alone again. I will protect you from everything.’
She stared up into his smiling face. Good, kind Gerald, who had been a friend to her and had never asked more than to be allowed to kiss her hand. He would protect her.
‘Oh, yes, Gerald,’ she said quickly. ‘I will marry you. And as soon as possible.’
Chapter Thirteen
Gerald stared at her for a long, long moment before a grin of delight broke over his face. ‘Truly? Why, Susannah, you have made me the happiest of men.’
He pressed a kiss upon her fingers and she waited for the reaction, for her skin to tingle and burn, for that ache deep in her body. It did not come. She was safe.
‘We must tell my aunt,’ she said.
‘By all means, let us go and find her.’
Mrs Wilby was sitting beside Lady Gisburne on the first row of benches. Susannah was inclined to hold back, but Gerald was eager to impart the good news, so she stood silently beside him as he made his announcement.
Mrs Wilby looked a little startled at first, but then she smiled and held out her hand for him to kiss. Lady Gisburne’s congratulations were more restrained, and she gave Susannah a quizzical look.
‘I did not know you were considering matrimony, Miss Prentess.’
‘I have been pestering her to marry me for months now,’ said Gerald happily. He turned his smile towards Susannah. ‘And at last my persistence has been rewarded.’
‘And when will the engagement be announced?’ the dowager enquired. ‘Or is it to be a private affair?’
‘Of course it will be made public,’ replied Susannah, frowning a little. ‘Everything shall be done properly.’
The words reminded her of the encounter with Jasper and she had to force her wandering mind to concentrate upon the dowager’s next words.