Page 18 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

Arietta’s sigh indicated that Letty had failed to hide her disappointment. “Very well. After I have attended to my letters, we shall promenade through the park.” She took a roll from the basket and reached for the butter. “The ton don’t generally make an appearance until five o’clock, but you never know who you might meet.”

When they set out an hour later, it was a lovely morning, the dew still fresh beneath the trees and the air scented with damp foliage. Letty angled her silk parasol to shade her face from the sun as they walked along a path. She considered herself quite smart in her new primrose sarsnet and brown linen spencer, her bonnet of straw-colored satin dressed with a plume of feathers, tied at one side of her chin with primrose ribbons. She chatted with Arietta about the previous evening. The park was far from deserted with riders cantering along Rotten Row. On the South Carriage drive, a landau and a cabriolet had pulled up side by side to allow those inside to engage in conversation. Two ladies greeted them on the path, and after Arietta introduced Letty, they remained to discuss the opera program for this Season.

As their conversation didn’t include her, Letty watched the equestrians. She wondered if Arietta rode. It was one thing she sorely missed since coming to London. How wonderful it would be to hire a hack and ride through the park.

As the two ladies said their goodbyes and walked on, a glossy chestnut stallion cantered smartly down the Row. Letty raised her parasol for a better look. It was! Cartwright, in a dark coat and riding breeches, glossy top boots, his black hat at a rakish angle. He had spied her and, reining in, walked the horse over to them.

“Good morning, ladies.” He removed his hat and bowed from the saddle. “I would not have expected to see you out so early, Lady Arietta.”

“Good morning, Mr. Cartwright,” Arietta said, her smile tight. “I believe I was persuaded by Miss Bromley to rise early, but now find myself appreciating the fresh morning air. Allow me to introduce her to you. I am sponsoring Miss Bromley for the Season.”

“Miss Bromley and I have met,” Cartwright said, with a smile in Letty’s direction. “Her aunt, Miss Edith Bromley, introduced us.”

“My goodness. You are acquainted with Edith Bromley?” Arietta raised slender brows.

Cartwright flicked another glance at Letty. “Is there any reason why I should not be?”

Arietta’s mouth twitched. “It is a little surprising, when one so often finds you in very different company.”

“I enjoy a wide variety of acquaintances, Lady Arietta. As I sense you do.”

“Not nearly as interesting as yours, Mr. Cartwright.”

“But you are too modest! I am positive that you are wrong. But I should have to make their acquaintance to be sure of that.”

“Which I fear is most unlikely,” Arietta responded.

Letty, who had been following their conversation with interest, could only agree with Arietta. It seemed extremely unlikely that Cartwright would know her aunt. And of course, he didn’t. But she found Arietta and Cartwright’s conversation confusing. As if a covert one was going on underneath, which intrigued and puzzled her.

“Did you enjoy the ball, Miss Bromley?” When Cartwright suddenly turned his attention to Letty, she almost jumped.

“Very much, thank you.”

“I imagine there will be morning callers beating a path to your door today.”

Arietta nodded. “Yes, indeed Miss Bromley was a success. We have great expectations.”

Cartwright settled his steely blue gaze on her. “I am pleased you are enjoying London, Miss Bromley. I hope, should we meet again, that you will save a dance for me.”

“Miss Bromley’s dances are quickly filled,” Arietta said, rather rudely, Letty thought, disappointed. She would like to dance with him again. She might learn more about the intrigue he was involved in, but feared it was a faint hope.

The beautiful horse snorted and struck an impatient hoof on the ground. “You must excuse me.” Cartwright patted the glossy neck of his mount. “As you see, my horse requires exercise. Good day.”

He dropped the reins and rode away.

“Well.” Arietta turned to Letty, her eyebrows raised. “We must have a talk after we return home. I am eager to discover how you and your aunt came to know Mr. Cartwright.”

Letty watched Cartwright disappear down the Row. How at ease he was in the saddle. She was glad to have time to conjure up a story to alleviate Arietta’s suspicions. Although she hated having to embellish the truth, she would keep her word to him.

After luncheon, their afternoon was spent with ladies and gentlemen paying their respects. Finally, the butler closed the door behind the last of them. Letty hadn’t realized how much of the Season would be spent in such tedious pursuits.

Arietta poured herself and Letty another cup of tea. Handing Letty the painted cup and saucer, she leaned back and smiled. “Lord Craven is quite the fuddy-duddy, is he not?”

Letty giggled, pleased that Arietta was of the same opinion as she. “And Mr. Cornwallis has the most distracting habit of repeatedly sniffing.”

Arietta laughed. “He does, doesn’t he? Quite drea

dful.” She sobered. “And I’m aware that you haven’t warmed to Boyce, so I gather none of these gentlemen appealed to you?”

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