Furthermore, their romantic trysts had begun almost immediately after they met. Letty had been the seducer. She’d said things that had stirred what Willa had called Matt’s need to be the rescuer.
What better accomplice could a blackmailer have chosen?
“Matt?” Letty was a step away from him.
He grabbed her by her arms, holding her at bay. “What do you know of Hardesty?” he demanded. He was glad his voice was steady. “Why are you here and not him?”
“Hardesty?” She frowned. “I don’t know anyone named Hardesty.”
“Perhaps your husband does?”
“He might. He knows many people. Matt, why are you asking me about this man? And why are you looking at me as if I am guilty of something?”
“Why are youhere?” he responded.
That set her back.
She took a step back, yanking her arms away from him. She reached into the bodice of her gown and pulled out a note. “I’m here becauseyourequested this meeting.”
“Let me see that.” Matt unfolded the note. It was written on the same kind of paper as the one he had received. The handwriting was nothing like his own, except that Letty would not have known. Matt had never written to her. Notes could have been found by her husband.
“This is not from me,” he said. “When did you receive it?”
Letty rubbed her arms where he’d held her as if he’d hurt her. He hadn’t. “Shortly before I left for dinner with friends this evening. Say, half past seven. Perhaps even eight.Youdidn’t send it?” She didn’t quite believe him.
“Letty, I didn’t know you were in town.”
Her frown deepened. “I was bored of the country and returned several days ago. Your wedding day, in fact.” She made a face as if she’d known and was unapologetic that it was perhaps more than just happenstance. That maybe he should be flattered?
“And, since I was in town,” she continued, “I knew I must attend my good friend Diana’s ball.” Diana was Lady Evanston. “I confess, I had heard rumors that you were happy with your little wife. I’d begun to fear you had forgotten me, until that note.”
Was Hardesty watching all of them?
It did not seem possible. How could any stranger be that close to all of them—unless Hardesty was not the man’s true name?
“Does your husband know about us?” Bainhurst was a powerful lord. They said he brokered in secrets. And yet, for all the people who knew about Matt and Letty, Bainhurst had supposedly never known. That didn’t make sense.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. The man is maddening. He seems to enjoy being jealous. What is this about, Matt? If you didn’t send that note, who is it from?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to answer what little he knew, and then he remembered Letty was not his friend. He could not count on her. It had been a hard lesson.
“I don’t know,” he answered. “That is the puzzle.”
Her lower lip curled into a childish pout. “In truth, my only question is about us. I don’t care who sent the note. I was happy to receive it. However, I sense you’ve had a change of heart even though you had promised to love me even when I couldn’t believe in us.”
Dear God, he could spout some drivel. “Letty, there can be nothing between us. I’m married.” There, he’d said it—and he felt rather noble.
“Are you saying you wouldn’t have married if I hadn’t set you free?” Her pout turned into a sly smile as if he’d put forth a challenge. “There was something between us just a moment ago.” She took a step in his direction. “Besides, after everything is said and done, you did come here for me.”
“No, I came to see a man named Hardesty—” He stopped, struck by a new idea. “Or he could be a woman. I have no description of the actual person.”
“You are saying your Hardesty could be me?” She laughed.
He didn’t.
Her laughter stopped. “You can’t be serious?” She shook her head. “Matt, who is this Hardesty to you?”
“Someone I was hoping to meet.” He still held her note in his hand. “I’m keeping this.”
