Page 16 of Introducing Miss Joanna (Once a Wallflower 2)

As she gratefully sipped the cool liquid, Letty came to join her. “Did you enjoy your first waltz?”

“It wasn’t my first. I waltzed earlier with Mr. Ollerton.”

Letty shook her head. “I don’t believe I’ve met the gentleman.”

Jo turned to search the crowd for Ollerton, also hoping to see Reade’s head of ebony curls. She spotted him talking again to Mr. Cartwright. “Lord Reade is not always polite,” she said. “I believe he amused himself by teasing me.”

“He is a very attractive man,” Letty said, a glimmer in her eyes. “But not a suitable husband for you, Jo.”

“No, he isn’t,” Jo said. “I did not, for one moment, consider him.”

Letty laughed. “Of course you did. Every woman whom he deigns to give his attention to falls for Reade.” She raised her eyebrows. “Did he invite you to stroll in the gardens with him?”

“Only the terrace,” Jo confessed. Was she not worthy of a stroll in the gardens?

“That’s perfectly respectable,” Letty said. “It’s quite crowded on such a warm evening. But I would advise you to refuse any offers to enter the gardens. You might get into trouble.”

“What sort of trouble could one face at a ball?”

“Women have been accosted. And sometimes, their reputation in tatters, they are forced to marry someone against their will.”

“My goodness.”

Despite her determination not to encourage Reade, Jo feared she would have accepted his invitation if he’d persisted. But he had not.

“Not to say Reade would do such a thing. He h

as no need to.”

No, Lord Reade would have his pick of women. Jo had seen the looks cast at him as they danced. “Mr. Forest invited me to take a turn about the gardens, but I declined,” Jo said, which had not been difficult. The gentleman had a weak chin and an odd manner of speech.

“That was wise. You are lovely, Jo, and it’s conceivable that men are drawn to you. But word has spread that you’re an heiress.”

Jo gaped. “I? An heiress?”

Letty stared at her. “Surely, you’re aware of it?”

Jo thought heiresses hailed from families with vast fortunes. “Papa has recently come into some money, and he sold his business, but…”

Letty put a hand on her arm. “I beg you to be wary of fortune hunters.”

“Is Lord Reade a fortune hunter?”

“Heavens, no.”

“Then why…”

Letty put a hand on Jo’s arm. “There are reasons. I cannot explain.” She smiled. “If I said he was a wounded soul, I suspect you would be drawn to such a man, would you not?”

It would be untruthful to deny it. “Do tell me more about him.”

Letty tilted her head. “A little perhaps, although I doubt I should.”

“Do not be concerned for me, Letty. I merely find him interesting.”

“He is that. What can I tell you about him?” Letty tapped her fan on her chin. “He is the only son of the fourth Baron Reade who died earlier this year. Reade’s estate lies on the Cumbrian coast.”

“Does his family live there?” Jo asked.

---