Daring the Duke Read Online Free PDF

needed the pin. The marchioness probably had thousands of brooches and other pretty trinkets.

    They walked down the stairs while Calliope chattered good-naturedly.
    Audrey felt worse with every step. They reached the bottom step, and Audrey saw Stephen walking toward them.

    “Wonderful to meet you, Lady Angelford,” she said, and quickly slipped in to the crowd, heading in the opposite direction. For once she was relieved to see Travers standing near. She surreptitiously motioned to him and wended through the crowd toward the door.

    Stephen saw her rushing toward the exit decided to let her go. He wasn’t pleased with his decision, but he needed to consider his next move. The game pieces were ready.

    Calliope whispered to Stephen, “I like her,” as she passed by to join her husband. Something was different about Calliope, but he couldn’t pinpoint it. Perhaps it was the secretive smile. He ignored it, as there was nothing to be gained from getting irritated with friends.

    That Calliope liked Audrey made sense. They were both unconventional.

    He frowned. No, Audrey was different. She was a criminal. All criminals were cut from the same cloth. Damn. This assignment might prove maddening.

    Roth came to stand next to Stephen. He too was observing her retreating form. “Lost your touch, Marston?”

    Stephen scowled. “Don’t call me that.”

    “Why? That’s your name now. Can’t go around calling you Chalmers anymore.”

    “Bloody title.”

    Roth’s smile turned slightly wicked. “Looks like the girl wasn’t impressed.”

    “Oh, I think I turned her head a bit too much.”

    “Must be why she ran to the retiring room after dancing with you and is now making to leave the ball entirely.”

    Stephen told Roth what he could with his suppositions in unflattering terms.

    Roth laughed. “You were right. Tonight is proving to be vastly entertaining.” He took a sip of his drink. “You should have seen the two of you on the floor. Set the tongues wagging, you did. Beautiful girl. Who is she?”

    “Her name is Audrey Kendrick.”

    “And?”

    “And what?”

    Roth shook his head but continued to smile. “You are in a foul mood.
    And because of a girl running from you, no less.”

    Stephen didn’t answer so Roth continued, “Since you don’t want to talk about the girl, how about finally telling me the identity of Hermes?”

    “I’m debating whether I want to tell you anything now, old man.”

    “Sour grapes, Marston , sour grapes.”

    Stephen held back a smile, suddenly in a much happier mood. Oh, he’d get his revenge all right.

    “Hermes is here tonight.”

    Roth looked around suddenly serious. “You’re teasing. Here? You know, I always thought he might be someone connected to society.” He studied the crowd, and Stephen debated whether to let him suffer all night. Roth would assuredly make a very thorough search of the entire ballroom.
    Probably interrogate the populace while he was at it.

    “Yes, here.”

    Roth continued his study of the crowd. “Dammit, Chalmers, are you going to tell me or not?”

    Stephen smiled. Victory was so sweet. “Actually the thief was here.”

    Roth frowned.

    “Regrettably, Hermes fled from the ball, immediately after I danced with her.”

Chapter 4
    Audrey slid through the open window and landed in crouched position on the floor, listening. No creaks, no stirrings; all were abed. She straightened and peered into the darkness. A rare wave of nerves swept though her. Something was odd tonight, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

    Thin beads of moonlight streamed through the window, allowing for just enough light to outline the bulky desk and portion of the floor. She pushed her nerves aside and crept toward the desk.

    The papers were supposed to be inside a secret compartment at the bottom of the desk. Audrey crouched and skimmed her fingers along the underside of the wood. Her fingers grazed a clasp. Disgustingly easy. It must have