Page 50 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

She narrowed her eyes. “As you refuse to furnish me with the facts, I must come to my own conclusions.”

“As there is nothing further I can tell you, you must excuse me.” He made to move around her.

“Cartwright?” Her eyes were pools of misery. “Did that letter I gave you lead to Fraughton’s death?”

Concerned she was not dealing with this well, Brandon gazed around at those who stood closest to them. No one appeared to be interested in their conversation. “That letter was of no use. You had nothing to do with any of this, but I’m profoundly sorry you’ve been hurt by it.”

He bowed, and as he left her side, caught sight of Letty watching him from the other end of the room. He hated the thought of her mixed up in this. Rejected it totally. He must find the means to get her away. Should Pierse pay another visit to Lady Arietta, they would be lying in wait for him. What were those two schemers planning? He’d find it easier to deal with twenty men than that young lady in her demure primrose muslin! He shrugged his tight shoulders as he made his way toward Willard who was now free, determined to persuade him to have Letty removed from the house.

Brandon considered writing to Letty’s uncle. But then dismissed it. It would take too long to get a response, and she would hate him for it. Short of kidnapping her, another way of removing Letty from that house must be found, and quickly.

Willard beckoned. “I could do with a brandy. Come to the library?” he asked when Brandon reached his side.

Brandon seated himself in one of the leather chairs. “I was surprised to find Arietta Kendall here.”

“She is well-liked and is a friend of my wife’s.”

“Your niece has a fine voice.” Brandon accepted a snifter of brandy with a nod of thanks. “Remarkable young woman. So poised for her age.”

“Angela avows that her interests lie with performing and not matrimony, but she has expressed a desire to meet you.”

Brandon smiled. “I relish the opportunity to praise her remarkable performance.”

“If you can tear yourself away from the two other ladies seeking your attention,” Willard said with a raised eyebrow.

“Susan Fraughton demands to know where Marston is.”

“But you told her nothing?”

“I thought it better not to. The news of his death will reach London by tomorrow. I doubt learning the manner in which he died would help her.”

“She expressed a wish to rid herself of Fraughton, didn’t she?”

Brandon eyed him with a frown. “Talk is cheap. The lady is troubled, Willard.”

Willard sighed. “Yes, of course she is. One gets hardened. That is why I want you to leave the spying game. It’s difficult to hang onto your integrity and even your sanity in this business.”

“You haven’t lost either, my friend.”

“I am not in the field, but even so….”

Brandon took a sip of brandy. “Miss Bromley has advised me that Pierse made a late-night visit to Lady Arietta.”

“Did he indeed? Slippery fellow, haven’t been able to find him. We’ll put a watch on her house and pick him up. Her, too.”

Brandon leaned forward. “I want to remove Miss Bromley before any action is taken.”

“That will alert Pierse that the house is watched. We’ll take care to see she is safe, move in as soon as he arrives. Is there somewhere she can go as soon as this business is over?”

“She says not,” Brandon said. “Her only relatives live in Cumbria.”

“Leave it with me. I’ll ask Mrs. Willard. Some of her friends are bringing out daughters this Season. I am sure someone will take her in.”

“Thank you. I’d be relieved. Miss Bromley suspects Lady Arietta has been duped. Removing the young lady will be as difficult as prying an oyster from its shell.”

Willard nodded sympathetically. “And perhaps you are not the one to do it, my good fellow.”

Brandon looked up from placing his empty glass on the table. “Meaning?”

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