Page 10 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

“I have given her feverfew, and she has gone back to sleep.”

Letty breakfasted alone, her appetite deserting her. After a piece of toast and strawberry jam and a cup of tea, she rose to wander the bookroom. She searched for something interesting to read, but her aunt’s collection had nothing to tempt her. Two hours later, she was sent for.

She entered her aunt’s darkened room. “Are you feeling better, Aunt?”

“No, regrettably. I’ve sent for the physician. I am sorry, Letitia. How dull it must be for you.”

“Please don’t worry. I am happy to read. I only hope the physician can make you feel more the thing.”

“You’re a dear girl, Letitia,” her aunt said in a faint voice. “I think I’ll sleep awhile.”

Letty went downstairs, concerned. How kind of her aunt to think of her when she was so ill.

The physician, Mr. Phillips, a man of middle years with a brisk, confident manner, arrived within the hour and went up to her aunt while Letty waited in the parlor, nervously thumbing through periodicals.

When he came down, she offered him a cup of tea.

“Thank you, Miss Bromley, but I have another patient to see. I’m afraid your aunt has had a relapse of an old ailment.”

“Oh dear! Is it very serious?”

“Not life threatening. Miss Edith will recover given time, but I have advised her to leave the city as soon as she is well enough to travel. The smoky London air is exceedingly bad for her.”

After he left, Letty plunged into despair. It appeared her Season had come to an abrupt end before it even began.

After spending several long, drawn out days where Letty found herself thrust into deep gloom, her aunt was well enough to make preparations for their journey the following Friday to Cumbria, where she would convalesce at the vicarage with Uncle Alford.

There was no alternative, Letty must accompany her. The orders for gowns placed with Mrs. Crotchet were cancelled, and Letty’s shopping list relegated to the wastepaper basket. Letty feared that once her uncle had her back in Cumbria, he would never allow her to return to London.

With a heavy heart, she began to pack her trunk.

On Wednesday morning, Letty took a cup of tea and the post to her aunt.

“Thank you, my dear.” Aunt Edith’s face was a better color as she leaned back against the pillows and opened a letter. “You look despondent, I am so very sorry.” She dropped her gaze to the words on the page. “Oh, this is good news!”

“What is, Aunt?”

“I so regretted not to be able to present you, that I wrote to a distant cousin of your mother’s, Lady Arietta Kendall, on the off chance she might agree to take my place.”

Letty held her breath. “What has she replied, Aunt?”

“She is in London for t

he Season and will be happy to chaperone you.”

Letty gasped. “Oh my goodness! I’ve heard of her, of course. She married Sir Gareth Kendall.”

“Yes, she is now a widow. Her husband died last year.” Aunt Edith’s hands trembled, and she seemed unsure when she looked up from the page. “I do hope I’ve done the right thing! Arietta is a society lady. She and Kendall were part of the Prince’s smart set, and once the subject of gossip, although I was unable to discover what it was all about. But without her husband’s influence, I can only trust she has sobered in her middle years, and will guide you safely through your Season.” She put down the letter and picked up her teacup. “I hope Alford will not be cross with me for arranging it.”

“Of course, he won’t, Aunt. He will be happy for me,” Letty added hastily. Her letters home would reassure them both as she would do nothing to cause any concern. She had no idea what lay ahead for her under Lady Kendall’s aegis, but how wonderful not to have to leave London.

Her aunt took a sip of tea. “You have yet to acquire a suitable wardrobe, as Mrs. Crotchet has been busy and is behind with her orders.”

“Such a pity,” Letty said, forcing her features into an expression of regret.

“Yes, indeed. But Arietta has promised to oversee it.” She looked worried as she replaced the cup in the saucer and handed them to Letty. “Unless you’d rather return home with me, dear? I am not entirely sure you enjoy London.”

“Oh, but I do! I’ve seen so little, Aunt. There’s the Tower, and the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, and well… so many places I have yet to visit! I should like very much to stay for the Season.”

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