The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer (best mobile ebook reader TXT) 📕

“Once, sir, I was certain of it. Now—!” he shrugged.

“Yet ‘tis true, Warburton. I would give all in my power to undo that night’s work.”

“You cannot expect me to believe that, sir. It rests with you alone whether his name be cleared or not. And you remain silent.”

“Warburton, I— Oh, do you think it means nothing to me that John is outcast?”

Before the misery in those grey eyes some of Warburton’s severity fell away from him.

“Master Richard, I want to think the best I can of you. Master Jack would tell me nothing. Will you not—can you not explain how it came that you allowed him to bear the blame of your cheat?”

Richard shuddered.

“There’s no explanation—no excuse. I forced it on him! On Jack, my brother! Because I was mad for love of Lavinia— Oh, my God, the thought of it is driving me crazed! I thought I could forget; and then—and then—I met him! The sight of him brought it all back to me. Ever since that day I have not known how to live and not shriek the truth to everyone! And I never shall! I never shall!”

“Tell me, sir,” pleaded Warburton, touched in spite of himself.

Richard’s head sunk into his hands.

“The whole scene is a nightmare… . I think I must have been mad… I scarce knew what I was about. I—”

“Gently, sir. Remember I know hardly anything. What induced you to mark the cards?”

“That debt to Gundry. My father would not meet it; I had to find the money. I could not face the scandal—I tell you I was mad for Lavinia! I could think of nought else. I ceased to care for John because I thought him in love with her. I could not bear to think of the disgrace which would take her from me… . Then that night at Dare’s. I was losing; I knew I could not pay. Gad! but I can see my notes of hand under Milward’s elbow, growing… growing.

“Jack had played Milward before me, and he had won. I remember they laughed at him, saying his luck had turned at last—for he always lost at cards. Milward and I played with the same pack that they had used… . There was another table, I think. Dare was dicing with Fitzgerald; someone was playing faro with Jack behind me. I heard Jack say his luck was out again—I heard them laugh… . And all the time I was losing… losing.

“The pin of my cravat fell out on to my knee. I think no one saw it. As I picked it up the thought that I should mark the cards seemed to flash into my mind—oh, it was despicable, I know! I held the ace of clubs in my hand: I scratched it with that pin—in one corner. It was easily done. By degrees I marked all four, and three of the kings.

“No one noticed, but I was nervous—I dared do no more. I replaced that pin. Soon I began to win—not very much. Then Tracy Belmanoir came across the room to watch our play. From that moment everything seemed to go awry. It was the beginning of the trouble.

“Tracy stood behind me watching… . I could feel him there, like some black moth, hovering… . I don’t know how long he stayed like that—it seemed hours. I could feel his eyes… . I could have shrieked—I’ll swear my hands were trembling.

“Suddenly he moved. I had played the ace of hearts. He said: ‘One moment!’ in that soft, sinister voice of his.

“Milward was surprised. I tried to tell myself that Devil had noticed nothing… . The mark on that card was so faint that I could scarce see it myself. I thought it impossible that he, a mere onlooker, should discover it. He stepped forward. I remember he brushed my shoulder. I remember how the light caught the diamonds he was wearing. I think my brain was numbed. I could only repeat to myself: ‘Extravagant Devil! Extravagant Devil!’ and stare at those winking jewels. Then I thought: ‘He is Lavinia’s brother, but I do not like him; I do not like him… ‘—little foolish things like that—and my throat was dry—parched.

“He bent over the table… stretched out his white, white hand… turned over the ace… lifted his quizzing glass… and stared down at the card. Then he dropped the glass and drew out his snuffbox… . It had Aphrodite enamelled on the lid. I remember it so distinctly… . I heard Tracy ask Milward to examine the ace. I wanted to spring up and strangle him… . I could scarce keep my hands still.” Richard paused. He drew his hand across his eyes, shuddering.

“Milward saw the scratch. He cried out that the cards were marked! Suddenly everyone seemed to be gathered about our table—all talking! Jack had his hand on my shoulder; he and Dare were running through the pack. But all the while I could look at no one but Tracy—Andover. He seemed so sinister, so threatening, in those black clothes of his. His eyes were almost shut—his face so white And he was looking at me! He seemed to be reading my very soul… . For an instant I thought he knew! I wanted to shout out that he was wrong! I wanted to shriek to him to take his eyes away! Heaven knows what I should have done! … but he looked away—at Jack, with that sneering smile on his damned mask of a face! I could have killed him for that smile! I think Jack understood it—he dropped the cards, staring at Tracy.

“Everyone was watching them… no one looked at me. If they had they must surely have learnt the truth; but they were hanging on Andover’s lips, looking from him to Jack and back again… . I remember Fitzgerald dropped his handkerchief—I was absurdly interested in that. I was wondering why he did not pick it up, when Andover spoke again… . ‘And Carstares’ luck turned… . ?’ Like that, Warburton! With just that faint, questioning in his voice.

“Before Jack could speak there was an outcry. Dare cried ‘Shame!’ to Andover. They laughed at him, as well they might. But I saw them exchange glances—they were wondering… . It was suspicious that Jack should have had that run of luck—and that he should lose as soon as he left that table.

“Milward—poor, silly Milward—gaped at Tracy and stuttered that surely ‘twas another pack we had used. I could hardly breathe! Then Andover corrected him— How did he know? No one else remembered, or thought of noticing—only he! …

“I can see Jack now, standing there so stiffly, with his head thrown up, and those blue eyes of his flashing.

“‘Do I understand you to accuse me, Belmanoir?’ he said. Oh, but he was furious!

“Tracy never said a word. Only his eyes just flickered to my face and away again.

“Jack’s hand was gripping my shoulder hard. I could feel his anger… . Dare called out that the suggestion was preposterous. That John should cheat!

“Tracy asked him if the cards were his. Gad! I can hear his soft, mocking voice now!

“Dare went purple—you know his way, Warburton.

“‘Opened in your presence on this table!’ he cried.

“‘By Carstares!’ smiled Tracy.

“It was true. But why should Tracy remember it, and none other? They stared at him, amazed. Dare turned to Jack for corroboration. He nodded. I think he never looked haughtier… .

“You know how fond of Jack Dare was? He tried to bluster it off—tried to get control over the affair. It was to no avail. We were puppets, worked by that devil, Belmanoir! One man managing that ghastly scene… He pointed out that only three of us had used that pack: Jack, Milward and I.

“Jack laughed.

“‘Next you will accuse Dick!’ he snapped scornfully.

“‘One of you, certainly,’ smiled Andover. ‘Or Milward.’

“Then everyone realised that one of us three must have marked the cards. Milward was upset, but no one suspected him. It was Jack—or me.

“As long as I live I shall never forget the horror of those moments. If I were exposed it meant the end o£ everything between Lavinia and me. I tell you, Warburton, I would have committed any sin at that moment! Nothing would have been too black—I could not bear to lose her. You don’t know what she meant to me!”

“I can guess, sir,” said the lawyer, gravely

“No, no! No one could imagine the depths of my love for her! I think not even Jack… . I felt his hand leave my shoulder… . The truth had dawned on him. I heard the way the breath hissed between his teeth as he realised… . Somehow I got to my feet, clutching at the table, facing him. I don’t excuse myself—I know my conduct was beyond words dastardly. I looked across at him—just said his name, as though I could scarce believe my ears. So all those watching thought. But Jack knew better. He knew I was imploring him to save me. He understood all that I was trying to convey to him. For an instant he stared at me. I thought—I thought—God forgive me, I prayed that he might take the blame on himself. Then he smiled. Coward though I was, when I saw that hurt, wistful little smile on his lips, I nearly blurted out the whole truth. Not quite… . I suppose I was too mean-spirited for that.

“Jack bowed to the room and again to Dare. He said: ‘I owe you an apology, sir.’

“Dare sprang forward, catching him by the shoulder—crying out that it could not be true! When Jack laughed—he fell away from him as from—the plague. And all of them! My God, to see them drawing away—not looking at Jack! And Jack’s face—growing paler and harder … every moment… . All his friends… turning their backs to him. Davenant—even Jim Davenant walked away to the fireplace with Evans.

“I could not look at Jack. I dared not. I could not go to him—stand by him! I had not the right. I had to leave him there—in the middle of the room—alone. The awful hurt in his eyes made me writhe. The room was whirling round—I felt sick—I know I fell back into my chair, hiding my face. I hardly cared whether they suspected me or not. But they did not. They knew how great was the love between us, and they were not surprised that I broke down.

“I heard Andover’s soft voice… he was telling some tale to Dare. Oh, they were well-bred those men! They skimmed over the unpleasant little episode—ignored Jack!

“Jack spoke again. I could guess how bravely he was keeping a proud front. I know word for word what he said: ‘Mr. Dare, your Grace, Gentlemen— my apologies for being the cause of so unpleasant an incident. Pray give me leave.’

“They paid no heed. I heard him walk to the door—heard him open it. I could not look at him. He—he paused… and said just one word: ‘Dick!’ quite softly. Heaven knows how I got to him! I know I overturned my chair. That drew Dare’s attention. He said: ‘You are not going, Dick?’ I shouted ‘Yes,’ at him, and then Jack took my arm, leading me out.

“And—and all he said was: ‘Poor old Dick!’… He—he had no word of blame for me. He would not allow me to go back and tell the truth—as I would have done. Ay, Warburton, when Jack called me to him, I could have cried it aloud—but—he would not have it… . He said: ‘For Lavinia’s sake.’ … “

Warburton blew his nose violently. His fingers were trembling.

“You know what happened afterwards. You know how my father