Highest Stakes (52 page)

  "As I have been asked to look after you, my dear, pray notify me when you wish to take air, and I shall endeavor to escort you, or at the least send my maid."

  "That's very generous. I am grateful, Lady Susannah."

  "Pray join me, Miss Wallace, or may I call you 'Charlotte'?"

  "If it pleases you to do so, madam," Charlotte replied coolly.

  "Be pleased then to come and take tea with me, Charlotte. You can't have yet broken your fast, and walking invariably raises one's appetite."

  Seeing no polite way out, Charlotte sat beside the woman. Lady Susannah poured the tea, asking tritely, "Your rooms are comfortable, I trust?"

  "Indeed, madam. Infinitely so."

  "I am pleased to hear it. Is this your first visit to London, dear?"

  "Actually no, though I remember little. I was very young."

  Lady Susannah raised a brow, encouraging Charlotte to continue.

  "My father was a barrister of Grey's Inn, and we resided in London whilst my parents were alive. They were both tragically killed when I was a child."

  "How sad, my dear. But you are still little more than a child."

  "It is unfortunately as you say. Had I yet attained my majority, I would be in a much happier position today."

  Mistaking her meaning, the lady's eyes lit with interest. "So, you yearn for a life of independence, do you? Very few women are permitted such, to live their own lives in our society. Most, sadly, have not the slightest notion of freedom. A married woman is the property of her husband, and an unmarried woman lives almost shunned by society, as if fatally flawed in some way.

  "'Tis utterly tragic! I was wed once, barely out of the schoolroom, mind you, to a gentleman of eight-and-fifty. He was a wealthy squire, an acquaintance of my father who took a singular fancy to me. He asked no dowry and offered a considerable settlement upon my father, who cheerfully gave me up."

  "How unhappy you must have been." Charlotte empathized, warming to the older woman.

  "Surprisingly, my dear, not at all. Dear Nigel was as doting as a grandfather, and I was his most prized possession. I had jewels, modish clothing, and a fine carriage, all the best he could provide. He was kind and generous, but also jealously possessive. He paraded me before his peers as his trophy, but on a very short leash.

  "In the end, 'twas injustice to us both. He became heavily indebted,

and I was irredeemably spoiled. After settling the debts after his death, little remained. I confess, had I practiced economy, I might have lived out a life of modest comfort, but I knew nothing of economy, and I suddenly had freedom." She paused, smiling at her reminiscences.

  "Are you never lonely, my lady?" Charlotte asked.

  "I have few regrets. I considered remarriage once, but purely for economic reasons." She paused, and her smile vanished. "Suffice to say, my reasoning was flawed. I have since decided that I do not desire a husband at all. I am a spoiled wretch after managing for over half a decade to live as I will.

  "How ludicrous it is that society dictates that every woman should have a master, be it a father or a husband. God forbid if any woman dares aspire to the same privileges
every man living
enjoys; she is considered fast and a social pariah. I have spent years walking such a social tightrope, my dear. I tell you this as a warning, sensing a kindred spirit in you."

  "But, Lady Susannah, is it not also exercising one's freedom to choose marriage out of love? If two people truly love, marriage binds them together willingly. It is by choice. Have
you
never loved?"

  "Heavens, quite the philosopher you are, Charlotte! How delightful to be in such enlightened company." She laughed. "I rarely enjoy the conversation of a woman, empty-headed lot, most of them."

  "I am perceptive, as well, my lady, and perceive that you have skillfully evaded my question."

  Lady Susannah erupted with renewed mirth. "Indeed, you have me trapped! And such an indelicate topic for maiden ears, but since you persist, I shall disclose all. Although I was content with Nigel, I was never in love with him. Furthermore, my marriage failed to fulfill any physical desires. My husband was unable to… perform in the marriage bed, you see."

  The young woman blushed.

  "I see that you do understand, but shall I discontinue? Young ladies have such heightened sensibilities."

  "I understand what transpires in the marriage bed."

  "I am to this day uncertain whether or not it ever transpired in my marriage bed! Only in my widowhood did I discover the hitherto unknown delights."

  Charlotte blushed crimson but nonetheless urged, "Is it indeed so, Lady Susannah?"

  "You continue to enchant, Charlotte!" She laughed again. "To answer you, in my experience there is much a woman is never taught regarding the physical aspects of marriage. Sadly, they illcomprehend this God-given expression, which is a sincere articulation of love and devotion by their husbands.

  "Instead, they suffer in forbearance their marital obligation to produce a child, believing this distasteful act is performed upon them only to satisfy the primal urges of a husband, which he cannot meet by other means.

  "But men are a completely different animal from women, Charlotte, and they desire more than a
dutiful victim to their baser instincts. A ma
n craves a joyful, playful, loving partner, but sadly many times, he can find it only outside of the marriage. Men have a completely natural need to express their love in a purely physical sense."

  Blushing to her ears, Charlotte stared into her teacup. "Do you truly believe this, Lady Susannah?" she asked, "That men require coupling to express their love and devotion?"

  "Not just to demonstrate
their
love, but a man will never feel his love is reciprocated in kind without a willing and eager partner in this so-called
coupling
."

  "So a woman who truly desires to prove her love to her beloved would do so willingly with her body?"

  "I fear we tread very dangerous ground now, my dear. Countless unfortunate maidens fall to their utter shame and disgrace by giving themselves to young men who plead for proof of their love. 'Tis the oldest ploy in the book, and most of the poor harlots on the street were ruined in such a despicable manner."

  Charlotte digested this carefully. "But what if he showed her his love in manifold ways yet never made such demands? Could he not still love her?"

  "Indeed! I would then swear he was a victim of Cupid's bow and truly in love. And to think I imagined our first chat was to have been of the weather!" Lady Susannah chuckled merrily and rang for the maid to clear the tea tray.

  "I have enjoyed your company immensely, but perhaps our next chat should be in my
private
parlor! Now, if there is nothing you need, I have a social engagement this afternoon and must attend to my toilette." She rose to depart but hesitated at the doorway. "Have you a lady's maid, Charlotte?"

  "I did, ma'am, until my uncle dismissed her."

  "Are you inclined to locate her?"

  "Oh, madam, if it were at all possible. She was with me most of my life and was my dearest friend."

  "Then we must find her. I will speak to Philip regarding the matter."

  "Philip? What has he to say to anything?"

  "He is your guardian, is he not?"

  Charlotte nodded dumbly.

  "Then as such, he can very well provide you a maid. I shall attend to it, my dear."

  "That might present a difficulty at the moment, Lady Susannah."

  "Oh? And why is that?"

  "He is imprisoned." She spoke matter-of-factly. "I have learned that he faces charges for dueling,"

  "What!" Lady Susannah blanched.

  Charlotte scrambled for an explanation that would not reveal more than necessary. "I believe it was a matter of honor." That was close enough.

  "Was it indeed? 'Tis surely not the first time he has done such a thing, but mayhap it can yet be smoothed over." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If Philip is indeed in such a scrape, I must pay a call to an old friend," she said more to herself than to Charlotte and then breezed from the room.

  Charlotte later realized that Lady Susannah had once more artfully evaded her question about ever having loved. Although unabashed about her lifestyle, there was at least one secret she kept well guarded.

Over the following days, Charlotte saw little of Lady Susannah, whose life at times appeared a veritable whirlwind compared to Charlotte's own quiet existence. She struggled with her dilemma to no avail. She was still at a loss as to how to face Robert's accusations, but she could wait no longer. She resolved to go back and confront him with the facts. She would make him understand. As Charlotte prepared to go out, she encountered Lady Susannah just coming in.

  "Charlotte," the widow asked pointedly, "were you again venturing out with no chaperone?"

  "N-no, my lady." Charlotte could not meet her eye.

  "My dear, you should never prevaricate unless you can do so quite boldly," she chided and took the shamefaced girl by the arm. "Far be it for me to pry, but I detect that something has you quite distressed. I think it past time for another little chat… in my private parlor."

  Warily, Charlotte resigned herself to accompany the determined woman to her sitting room.

  "Pray sit down." Lady Susannah indicated a rose velvet settee, where Charlotte nervously perched, awaiting the inquisition. "Shall I ring for tea? I could use some refreshment after my rather full morning," the widow commented airily, moving to a looking glass to rearrange her slightly mussed hair.

  "There now," she remarked after pinning a few stray strands back in place and a satisfactory self-inspection. She rang for the maid and then continued. "I have been out this morning on an important errand and bring tidings that should set your heart at ease."

  "Indeed? What tidings?" Charlotte asked in befuddlement.

  "Why, I've news of your guardian, of course. I feared you must have worried yourself sick, keeping to your rooms as you have. And how could I stand idle, knowing of Philip's troubles when it was within my power to help?"

  "But how could you possibly help, madam?"

  "After making some inquiries into the matter, I called on one of my dear Nigel's bosom bows. He had served under Marlborough in the Spanish wars, you see, and was well connected with many officers of no small distinction. One can never have too many eminent friends, Charlotte," she advised.

  "I imagine so, Lady Susannah," she agreed, wondering where this conversation was leading.

  Lady Susannah sensed Charlotte's impatience but evinced no hurry to expiate. "I hold our military in great esteem, Charlotte, and believe all citizens should demonstrate more appreciation for their sacrifice, particularly to those in highest command who carry the heaviest burdens. I expressed precisely these sentiments to dear James just this morning."

  "Lady Susannah, not to appear impertinent, but how does your visit to your late husband's friend signify? I fail to see what it has to do with me."

  "Dearest girl, you must learn to hear one out with easier grace," she chided gently. "One must cultivate the art of attentive listening if one wishes to earn the favor of others; this is particularly true of such gentlemen as Nigel's friend, James. But perhaps you might better know him as Lord James Dalrymple, the Earl of Stair and commander in chief of His Majesty's forces."

  "Oh!" Charlotte gasped. "You are acquainted with the commander in chief? How incredible! Lord Stair was the field marshal at Dettingen where Ro—" She abruptly caught herself.

  "You were saying?" Lady Susannah's eyes narrowed in scrutiny. There was a secret here. She felt it.

  Charlotte stammered. "I-I was only overcome with your circle of acquaintance, madam. But why have you spoken with Lord Stair?"

  Lady Susannah laughed with delight. "Renewing my acquaintance with Lord Stair was the least I could do, in light of dear Philip's present difficulties. After spending quite a lovely interlude, I explained to James the grievous misunderstanding that led to Philip's incarceration. He was all solicitude and inquired instantly how he might assist." Her smile was mischievous. "Lord Stair is a true gentleman, Charlotte, one who would never refuse a lady any service in his power to perform."

  "And what service would that be?"

  "Why Philip's release, of course. I feared that anxiety over his fate had led you to venture out alone this morning, but you may rest assured the matter is taken care of."