Page 35 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

Her eyes wide with fear, Letty stepped closer to Brandon.

“Welcome to Elford Park,” Lord Elford said, dismissing his two henchmen with a wave of his hand. “I must apologize for the uncomfortable journey. Unfortunately, Cartwright, you’re a man I find difficult to trust.”

Descrier, a man of considerable wealth and address, gave a mirthless chuckle, while Fraughton and Marston both glared.

Brandon coolly stared at each one in turn. He saw what he’d hoped to, the tension in their bodies despite them wishing to appear at ease, obvious in the way they stood, their spines too stiff, their eyes wary.

“You seem to have something against me, gentlemen, which has left me confused and more than a little angry. I am eager to discuss this reasonably, however. But this young lady is entirely innocent. Allow her to return to London. There is nothing she can do to hurt you.”

“I think not, Cartwright,” Marston said implacably.

“Her absence will be noted and stir up a host of questions,” Brandon reasoned. “Which you most surely don’t want.”

“Bow Street has nothing on us,” Fraughton said. “We carried you out through a gate into the back lane to the coach. Quiet place, Richmond. No one saw us.”

“The Home Office is drawing up a detailed dossier on each of you, the contents of which I don’t intend to reveal in front of the lady. I’m sure it would be of interest to you. Forewarned is forearmed, is it not?” Brandon smiled. “If you allow me to send Miss Bromley back to London in a hired chaise, I shall be happy to reveal it to you.”

“You can’t let her go,” Marston snarled at Descrier, who seemed to be considering it. “Lady Arietta was watching us. This girl is in cahoots with her.”

“Cahoots? What does that mean? I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” Letty cried. “Lady Arietta is my chaperone for the Season.”

“Maybe this young lady doesn’t know anything,” Descrier observed. “And even if she did, she wouldn’t understand a word of it. No one would take any notice of a silly chit.”

Elford shook his head. “What’s wrong with you, Descrier? Second thoughts? She might have overheard something which could damn us whilst hiding in those bushes. We cannot take that chance. Much as I hate to say it.”

“Return Miss Bromley to London, gentlemen. Or you will learn nothing helpful from me,” Brandon growled.

“There is one thing I can tell you,” Letty said. “Lord Fraughton, are you aware that Mr. Marston is having an affair with your wife?”

Brandon turned to stare at her as a stunned silence enveloped the room.

Chapter Thirteen

“That’s a lie!” Marston smashed his wineglass into the fireplace and took a step toward her. With a gasp of fear, Letty backed away as Brandon moved to place himself between her and the seething man.

“Let’s hear what she has to say, Marston,” said Descrier coolly.

Fraughton had gone white with rage. “Yes, Miss Bromley. How do you know this?”

Letty’s heart beat loud in the quiet menace that had fallen over the room. Brandon had taken a firm, reassuring hold of her arm. “It was at the Kirkwood’s ball. Marston and Lady Fraughton weren’t aware that I was in the library. I was hiding from someone behind a screen. Their behavior quite shocked me. They spoke of how they would be together when you were dead, Lord Fraughton.”

“Did they indeed?” Fraughton cried. He reached inside his coat and pulled out a pistol.

“For God’s sake, man.” Brandon’s hand slid down her arm to grip hers.

“Don’t be a fool,” Elford screamed. “A gunshot can be heard for miles over the marshes. It will bring the excisemen to our door. There are bales of opium remaining in the cellar awaiting shipment to London.”

Fraughton dropped the gun and leapt at Marston. Marston was of a larger build, yet he still struggled with the older man. “She lies, I tell you,” he cried feebly as Fraughton, showing more strength than Letty would have credited him with, placed his hands around the man’s neck.

Marston gasped for air, his face turning purple.

“Be ready to run,” Brandon whispered.

As Descrier rushed in to part them, Brandon tugged on her hand and they ran for the door.

“They’re getting away, you idiots,” came Elford’s cry as Letty and Brandon sprinted down the stairs. He whipped open the front door and they ran outside. “Not the stables, those two rogues could be there.”

They ran down through the gardens to a wicket gate in a blackthorn hedge, and then into the park. The moon played games with them as clouds scudded across the sky driven by a strong wind that whipped Letty’s hair in her eyes.

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