Page 70 of Presenting Miss Letitia (Once a Wallflower 1)

Aunt Edith had returned to London and inveigled Letty into joining her literary group. To her surprise, Letty found she thoroughly enjoyed their heated discussions of the latest novels and poetry.

When she left the dance floor and curtsied to her partner, Lord Bakewell, she glanced over with sympathy at the three debutantes clustered together, appearing awkward and painfully shy. That had been her not so long ago.

Her husband emerged from the crush. The sight of him never failed to send a thrill rushing through her. To her mind, he was the most handsome man in the ballroom. While she trusted him never to betray her, liaisons and infidelity among the ton were commonplace. Some men saw marriage as no barrier and flirted with her outrageously. They changed their lovers as often as they did a tailcoat, and Ton gossip was rife with intrigue. She had taken note of the ladies’ eyes following Brandon, how they discussed him behind their fans. Letty admitted to being a jealous woman. A good thing when Lady Fraughton announced she was to marry again.

Brandon smiled down at her. “Are you free for the waltz, madam?”

“Yes, I’ve kept it specially for you, darling. Lord Bakewell has asked for the supper dance, and will take me into supper.”

Brandon scowled. “The devil he will.”

“You are overreacting. He is a flirt but quite harmless.” She glanced around to see if anyone overheard them. It was bad ton to argue with a spouse in public, as it was to show too much affection.

“No man is harmless,” Brandon said. “I know, I am one.”

With several gentlemen claiming her hand for the last four dances, Letty sought to change the subject. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you. I received a letter from Jane this morning while you were out riding. Geoffrey and Ann have become engaged!”

“That is good news.” He nodded approvingly. “We must visit them before the weather makes the trip impossible. Your uncle, too. Poor chap is alone now that your aunt is back in London.”

“Uncle Alford is very self-reliant. I believe he took me in under sufferance all those years ago.”

Brandon chuckled. “Perhaps, but he came to care for you.”

“And I, him.” She raised her fan to hide her words. “Jane writes that she is enceinte,” she whispered.

“Is she, by Jove! Gordon must be over the moon.”

“Jane complains that he is quite indiscreet. Everyone in the village had learnt of it.”

Letty glanced over at the forlorn wallflowers. “Those poor debutantes look marooned. I wonder if I might help ease their way into the Season? Their chaperones are quite ignoring them.” She eyed Brandon. “They will feel more the thing if a charming man dances with them.”

“I hope that doesn’t mean you want me to dance with all of them?” he said with a quick glance to where three young ladies sat primly, hands clasped in their laps, their chaperones chatting together nearby.

She grinned behind her fan. “Well, perhaps asking one of them to dance wouldn’t hurt. It’s so difficult, you see, to be thrust into London society and not know how one is meant to go on.”

“I’ll mention them to Harold Reilly. He’s looki

ng for a wife.” Brandon slipped a finger into the top of his cravat. “But really, Letty, I can’t demand it of my friends. Gentlemen will seek them out soon enough.”

“Yes, I’m sure you’re right. But I can still offer them my support. I remember how awful it was for me at first.”

He gazed down at her. “Your Come-out was a little different from the norm though, was it not, my love?” His blue eyes lit up with a wry smile. “Ah, the dreaded dress.”

She tapped him on the arm with a fan. “I just knew you would mention it.”

“You would look enticing in a sack. Or without it,” he added huskily, raising her chin with his thumb and forefinger and planting a light kiss on her mouth.

Letty glanced around. There would be comments. Bad ton, the Cartwrights were flirting again. “Oh, dear. The Duchess of Malvern is glaring at us.”

“No she’s not. Her Grace suffers from astigmatism.”

Letty laughed. “I shall ask Maria Foster to introduce me to the young ladies before I’m to dance again.”

“Excellent notion,” Brandon said, clearly relieved not to be inveigled into dancing with them. “There’s Fraser Willard. I need a word with him about a matter I read about in the newspaper this morning. I shall return for the waltz.”

Letty raised her eyebrows.

“Don’t give me that look, madam,” he said in a mock stern manner. “I’m not about to involve myself in anything untoward. If Willard wants me for some mission, I will tell him I already have one. To make you happy.”

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