Page 1 of Wallflower Gone Wild

CHAPTER 1

London, April 1820

Time was not Lady Leticia Crane’s friend, especially since she had to endure one more excruciating London season until she was finally free to make her own choices. At least that was the bargain she had made with her father, the Earl of Pinerose. If she was not married or engaged by August, her dowry, along with her entire inheritance, would be hers.

Hers.

Once her inheritance was finally in her possession, Letty could start her own magazine. It would not be filled with the gossip of the ton. No, she wanted to help all women, but especially ones who had escaped the horrors of slavery, and those alone in the world without a protector. She would do it all on her own, as an independent wealthy lady.

Her mother was once alone with no protection and a small child. Letty wanted to create something that would help women of all voices and experiences, something that would make a difference in the cold world.

She was aware of her good fortune. Being born the daughter of a wealthy earl and a former opera singer set her apart from others of African heritage. Unlike her sister, Cleo, whose father was a mere blacksmith, Letty had an ample number of opportunities afforded to her. It was shocking how differently the ton treated her in comparison to her older sister. However, society only cared about her father’s wealth.

“Really, Letty, must you look so miserable?” her mother asked from the other side of the carriage. “How will you ever find a husband looking like that? I’m told the baron will be in attendance. Do try to grant him a dance or two.”

Lady Pinerose’s rich mahogany skin shone in the moonlight, as honey-colored eyes—the same as her youngest daughter—penetrated Letty. Her mother always had the cunning ability to make Letty feel like a child and not a woman four and twenty, no matter the situation. A chill slid up her spine under her mother’s scrutiny. Every season brokered the same discussion— husbands, but never had it felt so insistent.

Unlike her, Letty wouldn’t give up on her own dreams only to become a wife and mother. Her mother’s sole focus during any season was to marry off her two daughters to the first suitable gentleman. This season, however, she seemed particularly focused on arranging a match between Letty and Baron Oakfield.

Oakfield had inherited a wealthy barony and squandered it all in less than a year. Now he was in need of a rich wife.

Letty ignored every suitor her mother paraded in front of her like they were prize stallions. The truth was none of those particular gentlemen called to her at all because there was only one man she was interested in.

But it mattered not that he was the only person she would actually consider marrying and starting a life with. All that mattered was gaining her inheritance and starting her business.

The carriage jostled along in the slow queue in front of the Duke and Duchess of Richmore’s London mansion. Attending the first ball of the season was all her mother could speak of. Perhaps this would be the ball to change both her daughters’ lives.

Doubtful.

Letty’s life was already changed.

“Now, now darling, do not pester her.” Her father tapped her mother’s hand three times.

It was his customary fashion to always give her mother three light taps. Letty was convinced it was a signal between them, her father’s way to calm her whenever she became upset or disgruntled. It always tugged a smile at Letty’s lips, seeing the quiet affection between her parents.

Her mother shook her head, a loose curl coming free from her coiffure. “It’s not pestering. She needs a husband. They both do?—”

“I don’t need a husband, nor do I want one.” Cleo interrupted what Letty knew was sure to be a long diatribe from their mother.

“Every lady needs a husband. It is our way; you both must remember that this season.” Her mother held out a firm finger, pointing it at them, her pretty face stoic.

Letty peered out the small carriage window. Joy filled her when she noticed they were next in the queue. The sooner she escaped her mother, the better.

Her pulse quickened at the thought of seeing him again. It had been months since Mac Meriweather had visited her home, and she longed to lay her eyes on the burly Scotsman.

A husband was the last thing she needed in her life. She had a purpose. However, it did not stop her from fantasizing about a future with Mac.

Dash it!

“All I need is my inheritance, which Papa has promised he will release to me at the end of this season.” Letty smiled smugly, ignoring the small sting in her throat at what she would be giving up. Stormy gray eyes, lips that awakened parts of her she did not know existed, and arms that felt as if she had finally found a home with another person.

“I wish you had not made her such a ridiculous promise,” her mother said to her father.

The glare of disapproval her mother was giving him was one that Letty saw often, anytime her mother felt he was being too lenient toward her.

“Why ever not?” Cleo demanded from beside Letty. “She wants to help people rather than be a useless debutante.”

“She doesn’t need to start a women’s magazine to help people.” Her mother shook her head as the carriage rattled forward. “You should be ashamed of yourselves for encouraging her. No gentleman will want a wife who insists on partaking in such pursuits.”