Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,86

she had welcomed into her drawing room on countless occasions.

‘Come along into the morning room, Mr Warwick. We will talk there.’ She observed the shocked faces around her. ‘You must come, too, Aunt, and Gatley shall remain in the hall, where we may call him if necessary.’

She handed her cloak to the goggling footman and ushered her unexpected guest into the morning room. He allowed himself to be pushed down gently into a chair and once Susannah had made sure that the door was closed and Aunt Maude was comfortably seated, she took a seat opposite Mr Warwick and asked him the reason for his visit.

Immediately he jumped up and began to stride about the room, wringing his hands together. She waited patiently. At last he stopped and turned to her.

‘Miss Prentess. I want to see Miss Anstruther!’

Aunt Maude gave a little gasp, but Susannah said merely, ‘Go on.’

‘I have treated her abominably.’ He began to pace the room. ‘I cannot eat, cannot sleep—I cannot forget her. She has been on my conscience ever since I knew—’ He broke off and returned to his chair, burying his face in his hands.

‘I have been to Shropshire, to visit her parents, but they told me they have no idea where she is.’ He pushed his fist against his mouth. ‘They abandoned her. She might be dying in a gutter for all they know! How could they be so cruel?’

‘And what of your own actions, sir?’ Susannah demanded, her voice icy. ‘Do you hold yourself blameless in all this?’

‘No, no, not at all! When she told me, I w-was frightened, I refused to acknowledge that the child was mine. I thought Mr Anstruther would call me out, that I should be disgraced.’

‘As you deserved to be,’ put in Aunt Maude, with uncharacteristic severity.

He turned to look at her.

‘I know, ma’am. I am well aware of that. It took me a long time to come to my senses, to realise that I had to present myself to her parents, to own up to my actions and ask for Violet’s hand in marriage. But then, when I arrived at the house and was told she was not there—’

‘So why do you come to me, Mr Warwick?’

‘I have scoured the city, I called at Walcot Street, but they denied all knowledge of Miss Anstruther. Your charity is my last hope. I have no idea where the house may be, but I remember hearing that it is a refuge for young ladies such as Violet. So I came here, hoping, praying, that she might be one of the lucky ones.’ His wild, frightened eyes fixed themselves upon Susannah. ‘Tell me if she is there, Miss Prentess.’

Susannah watched him. There was no doubt of his distress.

‘And if she should be under my care,’ she said slowly, ‘what do you intend by her?’

‘To throw myself at her feet, to beg her forgiveness and to make amends. I want to marry her, Miss Prentess, if she will have me. If not, I want to support her and my child. I must make some reparation for what I have done.’

Mrs Wilby sat forwards, saying gently, ‘That is all very well, Mr Warwick, but we would need to ascertain the young lady’s wishes in this case.’

‘But that is not the end of it.’ Mr Warwick was on his feet again. ‘William Farthing told me that his mother had written to Mrs Anstruther, suggesting Violet might be at Florence House. He said his mother had received a reply this morning. Mr Anstruther is even now on his way to Bath, intent upon taking his daughter back to Shropshire with him. You do not know him, Miss Prentess. He is a cruel man, he will incarcerate her and force her to give up the child, if it is allowed to live. And Violet is under age—he is still her legal guardian.’

‘Well goodness gracious me!’

Susannah paid little heed to her aunt’s exclamation. She was thinking quickly.

‘Very well, Mr Warwick. Can you have a travelling carriage here first thing tomorrow morning? I will take you to Florence House to see Violet. If she is agreeable, then my maid shall accompany you both to Gretna Green. However, the decision must be Violet’s. If she does not want to go with you then I will find somewhere to hide her.’

Mrs Wilby gave a little shriek.

‘But, Susannah, if her father should bring the law down upon us...’

Susannah shrugged. ‘We will deal with that problem if and when it arises.’