Page 17 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

Brandon turned away to view the gardens. “The wealthy gentleman of commerce?”

“The same.”

She stood beside him at the rail. “Why does this interest you? Or should I ask, does it interest you, Cartwright, more than I do?”

He chuckled. “I find you fascinating, my lady. As well you know. You are not only beautiful, you are clever. I admire that in women.”

Slightly mollified, skepticism still hovered in her eyes. “And you wish to learn more.”

“If you should like to tell me more.”

“What do I get out of it?” She held her fan up to her face, her eyes alight with invitation. “Were we not to meet somewhere more convivial to discuss it?”

The other couple strolled back into the ballroom.

“I won’t take you to bed, Susan,” Brandon said softly. “Not that I don’t very much want to.”

“I never thought you a prude, Cartwright.

”

“I am not one, but I still cling to a few principles.”

She frowned. “If I help you, might it bring Fraughton down?”

He hid his reaction to her cold-bloodedness. “I could not say.”

“No, you would not. You keep your secrets close.” She shrugged carelessly. “As I have not a shred of affection for my husband, I shall advise you of anything I discover. And don’t be too sure we shall not become lovers.”

Brandon reached out and grasped her shoulders, turning her toward him. He sought her gaze. “Do not trivialize your husband’s power to hurt you. Remain very careful, my dear. Take no chances on my account.”

She raised her eyebrows. “He barely notices me.” She took his arm, and they strolled back to the ballroom.

Chapter Seven

At ten o’clock the following morning, Letty was on her way to breakfast when she paused to sift through several gilt-edged cards piled on the silver tray on the half-moon table in the front hall.

“Do gentlemen rise this early?” she asked the butler, Thane, in surprise.

“Some ride in the park before breakfast, Miss Bromley.”

Mr. Boyce and Lord Craven had left their cards as did two other gentlemen. None of whom she wished to see. With a sigh, she made her way to the breakfast room. She was hungry. It was several hours past her usual time to eat.

While Letty drank tea and ate buttered eggs, she went over the previous evening’s events. Uppermost in her mind was her conversation with Cartwright. Annoyingly, the man seemed to diminish in stature all the other men she had met. It might be because of his brooding good looks, but she suspected it was most particularly the aura of mystery that clung to him.

She remained hopeful that Arietta, who never rose until late, might make an appearance and agree to a walk in Hyde Park before luncheon.

She had finished her eggs and was spreading jam over a second slice of toast when Arietta swept into the breakfast room. She was dressed in a cambric muslin negligee of pale blue flounced with French trimming. The mob cap of Brussels lace over her hair had corresponding bows of pale blue satin ribbon. While admiring Arietta, Letty doubted she could ever be quite as stylish.

“Up early, my pet?” Arietta nodded at the footman who brought a fresh pot of tea.

While Arietta sipped her tea, Letty told her about the morning calls.

Arietta cradled the tea cup in her hands. “We must expect a busy afternoon.”

Letty suffered a stab of guilt. It was so good of her to be doing this. It must surely be tedious. “Shall we go for a refreshing walk before luncheon?”

Arietta yawned behind her hand. “I declare, you young things have such energy. We did not get to bed until after three. Indeed, I am surprised to find myself up at this hour. I awoke to the sound of a hawker who made a dreadful racket beneath my window.”

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