Daring the Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

music ended, and she saw the mischief shining in eyes.

    “Come, I will introduce you to my friends.”

    Panic caught her. In no way did she want to meet the two other men who love to have her head on a platter.

    “No, thank you, Your Grace. I must return to my stepfather. Good evening to you.”

    She curtsied and tried to keep her pace calm as she walked toward her stepfather, before changing directions and climbing the stairs to the ladies’ retiring room.

    She opened the door and was relieved to find the room empty. Walking around the two chaises and multiple cushions to get to the mirror, Audrey pressed a hand to her cheek and looked at her reflection. At least she appeared composed.

    Was Travers going to make her attend more of these engagements? She didn’t know how many more she could handle. She was a back-alley worker. Being so-exposed was a new and frightening feeling. And damn if she didn’t hate being frightened of anything and anyone.

    The door opened, and a lovely lady with honey-coloured hair entered.
    Audrey assessed the newcomer with a mixture of dismay and interest. A gem-studded butterfly brooch was pinned to the dress of the Marchioness of Angelford—Stephen’s ex-mistress, although society at large had not seemed to grasped that fact yet.

    “Good evening,” the woman said, with a cheerful smile.

    Audrey returned the greeting and praised the good fortune that had prompted the lady to enter the room. If she could lift her brooch, she could leave the damn ball. She pretended to arrange her hair in the mirror as she surreptitiously studied the ping. It seemed to be securely attached.

    Why would her husband allow her to wear a gift from another man? It went beyond all of Audrey’s reasoning abilities and her knowledge of the marquess.

    “We haven’t been introduced, but I’m Calliope.”

    Audrey looked at her in surprise, then at the rest of the retiring room.
    They were still the only ones present.

    Covering her lapse, she said pleasantly. “My lady, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Audrey Kendrick.”

    The woman waved her hands. “Please call me Calliope. After all, I saw the way you and Stephen were dancing.”

    What? What was the lady prattling on about?

    “If that was any indication of the future, we will probably be seeing each other frequently.”

    What was this lady implying? If she thought she was going to join them in any tawdry activities, well she could take her pretty little fan and stick
    ...

    “You looked flushed. Are you feeling well?” Calliope peered at her and held out a towel.

    “The house is a bit warm, is all.” Thank goodness for tired excuses.

    Calliope nodded. “I know, but one becomes accustomed to it. This is your first season?”

    “Yes, although I have attended a few balls.” Mostly masked balls, which made it relatively easy to relieve the owners of their possessions. Since she had been raised in a genteel home, she had always been assigned to the upper-class functions but until recently had never attended as herself.
    That she did now only underscored her danger.

    “Would you like me to fetch you something to drink?”

    She seemed genuinely nice, and Audrey had to stop a frown. What was happening here? It was difficult not to like the woman, even though Audrey didn’t want to. She was married to one enemy, good friend to another, and the ex-mistress of the most deadly one, no matter that Calliope and Stephen had always acted a bit too fraternally toward each other whenever she had seen them together.

    “No, thank you. My father will worry if I’m gone too long.” She couldn’t snatch the pin while Calliope was looking at her.

    “I’ll return with you.” Calliope walked with her to the door. “We shall have to meet for tea sometime.”

    Three ladies entered the room and collided with them. During the confusion Audrey took the opportunity to smoothly relieve Calliope of her beautiful pin. Guilt kicked in, but she