Free The Rape of Venice by Dennis Wheatley Page A

yours, and I have no regrets. Yet I resent it that you think me good enough only to become the wife of some young captain whose dearest wish was to get back to England so that he might once more enjoy his fox-hunting; or that I would demean myself to become a rich man’s darling. I care not how many women you’ve slept with; or how often your secret work has forced you to lie and cheat. To me you are still worth all the other men I’ve ever met put together. Amanda did me a great kindness in rescuing me from a poverty-stricken existence with my Aunt; but, unwittingly, shealso sealed my fate. Although I did my utmost to conceal it while she was alive, from the very day we met my heart became yours.’
    â€˜Clarissa! I beg you to say no more,’ Roger protested unhappily. ‘Did I intend to marry again, it would be you I’d ask; for you have much more than beauty. I’ll never forget the high courage you displayed during those dark days when we were captives of the pirates, and later of the revolted negro slaves in San Domingo. But in due course I shall go abroad again, and in circumstances which would make it impossible for me to take a wife with me. I may be away from England, except for rare brief visits to report to Mr. Pitt, for years. What sort of a life could that be for you?
    â€˜There is no question of your returning to your Aunt. Georgina has told me that she is more than willing for you to make your home here, and if you are set on being a mother to little Susan, I’ll be greatly in your debt. But I insist that you should not regard the child as a tie upon you. As I promised, I have arranged with my bankers to make you a suitable allowance; so you are free at any time to live where you will and, should you marry, Georgina will do for Susan what you would otherwise have done. Here, at Stillwaters, you will meet many men; not Captains with little but their pay, or men of fortune with little but their money, to recommend them. They will be of the stamp of Beckford and Droopy Ned. Wealthy, cultured, ambitious, titled, and able to give you the position in the world that you deserve. I beg you to put me from your thoughts, and face life anew with an open mind.’
    For a moment there was a tense silence, then Roger added, ‘This obstinacy can bring you nought but unhappiness. I have done my utmost to dissuade you from it, but since you are adamant and I am too, it seems there is no point in our discussing it further. That being so, I request your permission to leave your presence.’
    With a sigh, she stood away from the door. ‘Go then, and I beg of you do not despise me too much for having laid my heart bare to you once again. I’d not have done so could I have found some more material way in which to show my love for you.’
    Touched to the depths, he could think of no words with which to reply; so, stooping, he took between his fingers the frilled hem of her overskirt, bowed his head low, and kissed it. Then, silently, he left the room.

4
The Seance
    Dinner proved a much gayer meal than it had the previous evening. From the walls of the lofty, panelled room, the gilt-framed old masters looked down on the bare shoulders of the three lovely silk-clad women and the five more soberly dressed men. Although it was still daylight outside, the rich brocade curtains had been drawn; so the candle-light made the women look even more alluring, threw up the spotless linen at the men’s throats and wrists, and glinted warmly on the fine silver, glass and china that furnished the mahogany table.
    Relieved of the presence of the silent Princess and her uncongenial husband, the talk flowed freely with frequent laughter, but as long as the tall footmen stood behind their chairs, they made no mention of the séance that was to take place later. Yet all of them were eager to discuss it. No sooner had the dessert been placed before them and Georgina’s black-clad major-domo,