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 has 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.
“He has no family. I’ve no idea what condition the estate is in. Reade has set about restoring it. I believe his father did not leave it in good order. As they didn’t get on, Reade left straight after university and bought a set of colors in the infantry with money left to him by his mother. A captain, he served under Wellington at Waterloo. The Prince Regent rewarded him generously for his service to the crown.”
So, her guess was correct. Reade had been in the army. It fitted, for he appeared to be a man who’d faced danger and seen much of the world. A wounded soul. Jo tamped down the desire to know more.
“Reade avoids any romantic entanglements with ladies of the ton,” Letty said. “I have seen women try to snare him, Jo. None of them captured his heart. He shows no interest in marriage. He is a good friend of Cartwright’s and mine, but I see you are interested and must again caution you against him. I should not like to see you hurt.”
“He is unlike any man I’ve ever met,” she admitted.
Letty’s eyes sparkled. “Men like Reade and Cartwright are fascinating creatures.”
It was plain that Letty loved her husband dearly.
“I have decided upon the sort of gentleman I wish to marry,” Jo said, “A quiet, sensible, home-loving man. I shall not fall under Baron Reade’s spell.”
“Oh, dear,” Letty said with a smile. “I do hope you change your mind about seeking such a husband.”
Unsure of Letty’s meaning, Jo glanced around at the elegant guests, drinking champagne and laughing together. “Are there fortune hunters here tonight?”
“Most certainly,” Letty said. “And impoverished lords with estates to maintain who must marry for money.”
“But that seems so…mercenary,” Jo protested. How would she know if a man loved her or just wanted her dowry?
“A marriage of convenience can suit both parties. A man gains a wealthy wife, a woman the title. And sometimes it becomes a love match.” She nodded toward a couple who stood close together. “The Wade’s marriage was a business arrangement. But see how fond they are of each other,” she smiled. “I’m sure London is very different to the country village where you grew up. Wealth, position, and birth rule here. You must try to keep a cool head, Jo. You wish to marry for love, and I can recommend