A Lady of Letters Read Online Free PDF Page B

intricate pattern of stitching. It's from too fancy a piece of clothing for anyone but a fine gentleman to have been wearing."
     
    "It could be a coincidence," answered Marianne, though her voiced lacked real conviction. "In any case, it's hardly definitive evidence. I mean, you can hardly begin searching the closets of every gentleman in London for a torn waistcoat."
     
    Augusta's eyes took on a speculative gleam for a moment, then she gave a curt laugh. "I suppose that is out of the question. But nevertheless, it is the only clue I have, so I must begin somewhere." She turned her journal around and pushed it toward her sister. "You are more aware than I of all the gentlemen in our area," she said with a touch of humor. "Am I missing anyone?"
     
    Marianne took several minutes to study the pages. "Lord Jeffries, though he's over seventy if he's a day."
     
    "The let us rule him out for the moment."
     
    "And the new tenant of Chilton Hall. Baron Blatchford, I think, though I've not met him. No one has."
     
    Augusta added his name to the list.
     
    "How many are there?"
     
    Her lips pursed as she added up the entries. "Eleven—no, twelve."
     
    Her sister was tactfully silent.
     
    "I know it is no easy task, but there is nothing to do for it. I shall begin making some discreet inquiries into the character of each of our suspects and see what I turn up."
     
    "Oh dear, you must promise to be extremely careful, Gus. If you are right about what is going on, you after a very dangerous man."
     
    "If I am right, it is he who had better watch out."
     

    Augusta hardly noticed the break in the music. She was enjoying a comfortable coze with Baron Ashford, one of her oldest friends from home and a name she hadn't bothered to put on her list. He had already been most helpful, chattering on with only the slightest urging about several of their neighbors, but she dared not push too hard. Still, she had decided she could eliminate two of her suspects, while a third looked to merit closer scrutiny.
     
    "Forgive me, Gus, but I must excuse myself and find my next partner. Shall I escort you back to your Mama or your sister?"
     
    "Thank you Jamie, but I am quite happy to sit here for a spell."
     
    He bent over her hand. "Can't imagine why you choose to act like a turbaned matron and refuse to set foot on the floor."
     
    "I never dance. My bones are too creaky to climb down from the shelf, you know."
     
    They both smiled. It had become a joke between them, her unmarried state. He had offered for her once, at the end of her first Season, though she had always felt it was more from loyalty than any deeper emotion. When she had gently but firmly refused, he had seemed rather relieved. Now he was more like the older brother she no longer had, and she much preferred it that way, since she would never have any more than sisterly feelings for him.
     
    "I shall see you later, then."
     
    He withdrew into the crowd and Augusta took a moment to survey the room. Marianne was surrounded by a bevy of admirers, but there were no cause for concern. All were perfectly acceptable young men, so she felt free to turn her attention to the crush of people gathered in the soaring space. In the flickering light of the myriad candles, it was difficult to discern whether any of the other gentlemen she was interested in were present. Perhaps she could ask Jamie later—
     
    "Miss Hadley." The rise in tone indicated it was not the first time the gentleman had spoken her name.
     
    Her head jerked around.
     
    "I asked if I might be allowed the pleasure of this dance."
     
    She stared at Sheffield in disbelief. "You are asking me to dance? Aren't you afraid I might tread on your toes or cause you to trip and split your pantaloons?"
     
    He gave a low chuckle and her insides gave a small lurch. It was the first real smile she had seen on his face, and its effect was rather... devastating. "Ah, but this time I shall be on guard against any havoc you might