Introducing Miss Joanna (Once a Wallflower #2) - Maggi Andersen Page 0,20
it. But take care. Some gentlemen have a great deal of charm but are not to be trusted. I fear your father and your aunt will not easily see through them because they lack experience of London society.” Her expression darkened. “And there is a wicked side to this city one hopes never to see.”
She wondered if Letty had seen it. The grave look in her eyes made Jo suspect she might have. She’d love to ask her, and perhaps one day, she would. “Reade gave me a similar warning.”
Letty raised her eyebrows. “He did?”
“In a roundabout fashion.” He had piqued Jo’s curiosity and made her look at the gentlemen around her with fresh eyes. Reade, too. Where did he fit in the scheme of things?
“Don’t look so concerned, Jo! I didn’t mean to worry you.” Letty patted her arm. “Enjoy the pleasures London offers.” She opened her reticule and took out a calling card. “This is my address. Please send word should you need someone to talk to.”
Jo took it with a nod of thanks. “I am most fortunate to have met you, Letty.”
“I am glad we are friends, Jo,” she said. “Did you receive an invitation to the Feldman’s rout on Saturday?”
“Mrs. Millet mentioned it. What is a rout?”
“Routs are most entertaining. There will be no dancing. Guests cram the reception rooms to indulge in conversation and fine wine. There might be music and card play, with a nice supper.”
“It sounds…stifling.”
“They are less formal, and one might stroll the gardens on a warm evening.” She smiled. “But choose carefully who accompanies you.”
Jo must have appeared disheartened, for Letty laughed. “The time will come when you trust a gentleman well enough to place your safety in his hands.” She rose. “I must go, the supper dance is about to begin.”
Left to her thoughts, Jo wondered how long it would take to meet the man she would marry. To have her future settled. They were to spend only a few months in London, which would pass quickly. And if no suitor she approved of presented himself, like Cinderella, when the clock struck midnight, she would return to Marlborough. It was where her father was happiest. He chafed at the way things were done, saying he never wished to have a valet fussing over him, or an infernal uppity butler, and liked to eat his breakfast in his shirt sleeves. He missed Sooty and feared their dog was pining for them.
Although Jo loved their home and the people she had known all her life, she would be devastated to return, having failed to find a husband. Everyone who knew her, which was the whole village, had wished her well and expected to hear of her marriage. Would she soon be back in her old bedchamber, chatting at church, dancing with dull men at assemblies, and retiring when the chickens went to roost?
She wanted adventure! And she was now accustomed to London hours. It would sadden her father. He would urge her to choose a husband among those in Marlborough who had expressed a wish to marry her. Not one had sparked the remotest interest in her. So few men in London had either, except for Baron Reade and Mr. Ollerton. But Mr. Ollerton had not come to ask her to dance again. Nor had she caught sight of him in the crowd since they danced. He had promised to call on them. She hoped he would.
Lord Hislop came toward her. Jo had promised him the supper dance. She groaned inwardly. Worry creased his face into deep lines, and he perspired heavily. She rose with a smile as he approached.
Her father was leading another lady onto the dance floor. Perhaps it wouldn’t be Mrs. Millet, she thought with relief.
Reade stood with Cartwright, his gaze resting on Miss Dalrymple, performing the supper dance with that poor sod, Hislop. She looked pained, for he’d just trodden heavily on her foot. He fought a surprising urge to wrestle her away from the fellow.
“I’m told Virden was here earlier,” Cartwright said. “Didn’t see him. He never stays long.”
Reade shrugged. “Nor I. There must be three hundred people here tonight. I have some news. It appears the bill of sale I found in the Virden’s house was couched in vague terms and inconclusive. Although we’re pretty sure of what goods it refers to, it wouldn’t stand up in a magistrate’s court.”
“They’re sly customers. Been getting away with their dark deeds for some time.”