Page 49 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

The chance arose after supper when many guests had gone into the salon to play cards. By accident or design, Brandon had wandered out onto the wrought-iron balcony to smoke a cheroot. With a glance to make sure Arietta was not within earshot, Letty slipped out to join him. She might not have long before others appeared with the same aim, which would make even a discreet conversation impossible on the narrow balcony.

“Miss Bromley. How nice to see you again,” he said politely, his blue eyes searching her face. “Are you fully recovered from your…ordeal?”

“Yes, Mr. Cartwright, but…”

“And your presentation went well?”

“Yes, thank you,” she said impatiently. “What has happened since I last saw you? Has Marston been found?”

“No need to worry about Marston anymore,” he said in a tone that invited no questions. “If you are planning to attempt to draw more information from me, you should go back inside.”

“There is something I must tell you.”

His gaze flickered to the lighted room visible through the French doors. “Yes?”

“Pierse came to see Arietta.”

He frowned, straightening his shoulders. “Right, that’s it, Miss Bromley. I want you out of there. I’ll find somewhere for you to stay.”

“I don’t see the need,” she said edgily, determined he not try his high-handed tactics on he

r. “I wasn’t able to hear what was said, but should he come again, I could try…”

“Let me stop you there, Miss Bromley.” Brandon flicked his cheroot into the garden below. “While I’m grateful for this information, I prefer you not to be there if he visits again.”

“I have nowhere to go,” Letty said, frustrated. “And I am perfectly safe where I am.”

“Has anyone told you that you are exceedingly stubborn?” He sighed and gazed at her. “If the Frenchman should show up before I am able to remove you, you are to leave the house, come directly here to Willard’s. They will take you in.”

“But nothing has happened to alarm me. I don’t see why…”

“Pierse could be dangerous, that’s why.”

Her face heated. “I expected you to be more grateful.”

“Letty, please!” He sighed. “Pierse will be dealt with. But I don’t want you involved. In fact, I insist that you stay out of it.”

“But what about Arietta?” She frowned. “She may be entirely innocent. I don’t wish her to be caught up unfairly in this. I consider myself in the best position to learn what their association might be.”

A couple wandered across the drawing room toward the French doors. “Haven’t you had enough excitement?” he asked in an undertone. “Must you place yourself in danger again? Do nothing, do you hear me? Find someone to take you in. It would be best if you go back to Cumbria should there be no alternative,” he added sharply. The couple stepped through the doors onto the balcony. “I must agree, Miss Willard’s performance was certainly a tour de force,” he said, and took her arm in his firm grip. “The night grows cool. Shall we go inside?”

As soon as she was able, Letty stepped away from him. “Please, don’t let me keep you from Lady Fraughton.”

He turned to look at her, his blue eyes hot with anger or frustration. She thought he might speak again, but he strode away.

When Letty gazed up at him, her plump bottom lip trembling, her enormous brown eyes flashing an accusation he could hardly stand there and deny, it almost brought him undone. He wanted to whisk her out of the room and kiss some sense into her. Fool that he was! The thought that she might be in danger again was intolerable. He went in search of Willard, but he was caught up with his niece within an enthusiastic circle of guests.

“That must have been an interesting conversation you just had with Miss Bromley,” Susan Fraughton said beside him.

“We discussed music. An interest of hers. She was much moved by Willard’s niece’s performance.”

Susan fluttered her lashes. “Did she offer to play or sing for you? A private performance? I would be wary, Cartwright. It could be an excuse to trap you, although a novel one I grant you.”

“Haven’t we said everything that needs to be said, Lady Fraughton?” Not trusting her in this state, he drew her into a corner, aware she was unhappy and looking for someone to blame.

“I want to know what happened to Marston. He has not been seen in London since… Since Fraughton died. I expected him to come to see me. Did he kill Fraughton?”

“If you think he dispatched your husband so you and he might be together, you are mistaken.”

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