Page 30 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

“You don’t know who you are dealing with.” There was a warning note in Elford’s voice. “These men would slash your throat soon as look at you.”

A chill down her spine made Letty shiver.

Something brushed against her leg; taken by surprise, she darted back with a muffled cry. A cat meowed in outrage.

“Someone’s in those bushes,” Marston barked.

She gasped at the click of a cocked pistol. Letty backed onto the path, turned, and proceeded to hurry away. A heavy-set man pushed through the bushes and stood in her path. “What are you doing wandering around alone?”

“A man’s boorish behavior upset me on the dance floor,” she said. “I wanted some peace and quiet.”

“Well perhaps you should…”

“I know this young woman.” Fraughton joined them. He reached over and tugged away the strings of her demi-mask which she’d hastily put back in place. “Ah! Miss Bromley, Lady Arietta is introducing her to society. Where is your patroness?”

“Lady Arietta Kendall??

?? Marston queried.

“She is dancing,” Letty said.

“You stood suspiciously close to my wife’s reticule at the rout. I got the impression you were about to take it.”

“Do you think me a thief?” Letty hated how her voice squeaked.

“I don’t like this,” Marston said. Elford and Descrier joined them. “Sounds like too much of a coincidence to me.”

“Are you not overacting?” Descrier asked.

“Here you are, my dear.” Cartwright emerged from the dark, the folds of his cravat and waistcoat gleaming white, his domino pushed back over his shoulders and the narrow black mask dangling from his fingers. “Didn’t I tell you to be discreet?” He sauntered toward them. “Gentlemen. What bad ton. You are interrupting our, er, stroll together in the moonlight.”

Decrier laughed. “There’s a lot of that going on tonight.”

“I find that difficult to believe,” Fraughton said.

“Really? I am but human.” Cartwright chuckled. “And this young lady is quite comely, as you see.”

Elford frowned. “Lighten up, Fraughton.” He turned to Cartwright with a polite smile. “Please, sir, do not let us spoil your evening’s entertainment.”

They appeared to have accepted Cartwright’s explanation. Greatly relieved, she slipped her hand through his arm. “I see I have made a terrible mistake. Kindly take me back, Mr. Cartwright.”

“I tell you this young lady was snooping. She’s in cahoots with him,” Fraughton said in a hard voice. “Remember, Kendall warned us about Cartwright before he was….”

Elford turned to glare at Fraughton. “Shut up you fool!”

“Poor Kendall had lost his mind.” Descrier shrugged in apology. “You are more likely to be in pursuit of a pretty lady, is that not right, Cartwright? You wouldn’t wish to despoil that coat. Weston’s, is it not?”

The four men stood shoulder to shoulder and observed her and Cartwright. Letty cast a smile of appeal at Descrier and Elford, the two more reasonable men.

Cartwright dusted a sleeve. “Indeed, I have a particular fondness for this coat.” He took a firm hold of Letty’s hand. “Now gentlemen, if you have had your fun, you must excuse us.” He turned to draw her away.

Suddenly, Marston darted forward, pistol raised. With a flash, he brought the butt down on Cartwright’s head.

Letty screamed as Cartwright crumpled to the ground. “You devil! You’ve killed him!”

“Will you never learn?” Elford shouted at Marston.

“Nothing for it now.” Descrier groaned in disgust. “Grab her, Fraughton.”

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