Page 24 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

Letty swallowed, her throat horribly dry. “Aunt Edith is very well, thank you, Mr. Cartwright. She enjoys her stay in the country.”

“Cumbria, wasn’t it? I have often wished to visit the area and the beautiful lakes. You must tell me all about it. I daresay you are returning there very soon. How could one stay away?”

“No, I…”

He shepherded her away, a hand resting lightly on her back. While he barely touched her, she still felt the heat of his skin through the silk. “Shall we find a seat? I believe I saw one or two free in the salon.”

She was effortlessly propelled from the room. Small groups in fervent discussion paused to nod at Cartwright as they passed. One gentleman murmured something to his companion. Did they think Cartwright had made a conquest? She firmed her lips.

In the salon, Letty eased away from him. She put a gloved hand to her mouth to feign a yawn. “You must excuse me, sir. I am fatigued. I shall ask Lady Arietta if she is ready to leave.”

“Quite so.” Noting the resolute expression in his eyes, she had to look away. “I shall have to be patient to hear all your news at a better time, Miss Bromley. The hour does grow late.”

With a bow he left her. Without moving beyond the bounds of propriety, he’d managed to inject a note of warning into his voice. She watched him disappear through the drawing room door. His cold blue eyes told her he had declared war. He wanted her to go back to Cumbria or at least, stay out of his way. Letty would not return to Cumbria, and Arietta would not agree to the latter. She wished sorely that she might utter some of his curses. It was clear he was now determined to thwart her.

Letty did not welcome their next meeting. She went in search of Arietta and finally found her in the withdrawing room.

Arietta turned from the mirror. “I can see you are tired, my dear. We shall say our goodbyes.”

Letty, wishing she had more to offer her kind patroness, walked with Arietta through the reception rooms.

“I’m afraid we must go. Dear Miss Bromley is accustomed to country hours,” Arietta cried gayly, in response to entreaties to stay. “Shall we meet again at the races, tomorrow? Who has a horse running?”

Two gentlemen spoke up.

“Then I shall cheer them both home,” Arietta said warmly. “Come, Letitia, dear.”

Letty followed slowly, beginning to droop while she wondered if Mr. Cartwright attended the races.

As they traveled home, Arietta turned to her. “Well? Did you discover anything of interest?”

She explained about the meeting between Cartwright and Lady Fraughton, and the letter.

Arietta frowned. “What happened? Did you see them embrace?”

“No. Although they seemed to be on comfortable terms. He told her to put the letter back where she found it.”

“It would appear that Cartwright is spying on Lord Fraughton. I wonder why? Fraughton is an honorable gentleman. He should be warned.”

“That would put an end to our endeavors and anything we may yet discover,” Letty said quickly. She would hate to be responsible for what might occur if Fraughton was made aware of Cartwright’s association with his wife. There was something mean about Fraughton. She saw it in his eyes. Although duels were illegal, they were fought for less reason, and inevitably, someone was badly wounded or killed. That it might be down to her made her tremble with horror. She waited, holding her breath as Arietta gave it some thought.

“Yes, you are right,” Arietta said finally. “Though I would like to know the content of that letter,” she mused.

“I did try to remove it from Lady Fraughton’s reticule, but then her husband came to get it. Cartwright had his eye on me, so I gave the idea away.”

Arietta placed an arm around Letty’s shoulders. “But how interesting. This alone tells us a lot, Letty!” She gave her a squeeze. “We are onto something. I can feel it in my bones. You are doing far better than I anticipated. How very clever of you!”

“I wish I could do more, but Cartwright suspects me. I fear I may be unable to continue.”

Arietta removed her arm from around Letty and took up her fan, employing it vigorously. “Nonsense! You have shown yourself to be remarkably skilled. I feel sure another chance will present itself. Be ready to grasp it with both hands. I don’t mind telling you, my dear, that I am excited by this. There’s some conspiracy afoot which will show Cartwright’s true colors, and clear my dear husband’s name.”

Letty smiled weakly as she sank back onto the squabs.

Brandon entered Willard’s library. He repressed a chuckle. Willard had just returned from a soiree and wore a purple brocade dressing gown, patterned with snarling gold dragons, over his shirt and pantaloons.

“A Christmas present,” Willard said in answer to Brandon’s raised eyebrows. “From my mother.”

“Very handsome,” Brandon observed, tongue in cheek.

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