Desperate and Daring 01 - Desperate and Daring Read Online Free PDF Page A

room before she could retire.
    “Dear, did you enjoy dinner?” Her mother looped her arm through hers as they entered the drawing room.
    “Of course. Everything was superb.” Heather hoped her smiled was convincing.
    “I’m glad. You’ve been a bit withdrawn since the start of the party.”
    Drat. “Not withdrawn, just adjusting.”
    “It’s unfortunate about the duke not being here when we have waited so anxiously, but Mr. Calder assures me he is in contact with him multiple times a day and that the duke is eager to meet you.” Her mother pulled her to two chairs in the far corner and turned to face her. Her knowing eyes searched her face. “Do you still wish to go forward with the duke?”
    “Of course!” Heather said in false eagerness. “It’s just… I’m worried there won’t be time.”
    Her mother patted her hand. “That’s why Mr. Calder was sent, my dear. I have hopes that the duke is as eager as we are to form a union. We must make Mr. Calder an ally.”
    Heather thought of the way Mr. Calder had looked at her during dinner, the way she felt the heat of his gaze over her skin. She didn’t think ally was the appropriate word for Mr. Calder.
    “It helps that he is young and handsome,” her mother continued, “and if Lady Endervale continues to let him participate in the activities in place of the duke, we will have ample opportunity to make a lasting impression for him to convey to the duke. Perhaps I will speak to her directly on the matter.”
    Heather didn’t like that idea, but her mother’s eyes were clear of worry and lit with hope. She bit her tongue. She had a few choice words for Mr. Calder and those glowing eyes of his. She would save them for him, and for an opportune time when she could take him to task without an audience. But she didn’t have the nerve to do it tonight, not when she could still recall the feeling of his eyes on her, feeling it like a touch. Even the memory caused a frisson of heat to slide down her spine. It would not do.
    She looked around for a distraction. Lucy had commandeered a sofa with Dorothea at her side. Charlotte and Rose had just joined them, filling the last seats of the sofa, and Hazel and Anabelle were taking seats across from them.
    “I’m going to sit with Anabelle and Hazel, if I may, Mother.”
    “Certainly, dear, I’ve been meaning to ask Lady Wellsford about her poodle.”
    Heather escorted her mother to Lady Wellsford and squeezed in beside Hazel on the sofa.
    “I feel as though I’ve eaten an elephant,” Hazel said with a grimace.
    “You certainly ate like an elephant,” Anabelle murmured.
    Hazel’s eyes snapped to her sisters. “Don’t claim to have a bird’s appetite, Anabelle. I saw you take two rolls.”
    Anabelle rolled her eyes.
    “Don’t start, you two. I’m beginning to think I was blessed to only have a brother.” Lucy broke into their bickering.
    “You don’t fight with your brother?” Hazel said in disbelief.
    “Of course, but we do it properly, without witnesses.”
    “What about you, Heather. Do you and your sisters get along?”
    “We have our disagreements, but it’s easier now. Violet can be quite the shrew when she wishes, but they have both matured so much in the last few years.”
    “Please forgive us for deserting you. I had forgotten he would partner you until that very moment. I meant to tell you,” Rose admitted contritely.
    “It’s all right.” Heather sighed. “We didn’t say more than two words to each other, and then I was seated between Mr. Hughes and Sir Stanley. I enjoyed dinner very much.”
    “I found Mr. Calder quite charming,” Charlotte mused. “Did you think so, Rose?”
    “I did, but I will only be kind to him if Heather wishes me to.”
    Heather laughed. “He isn’t my enemy. Be kind to him if you wish. I only find the situation between us difficult because, well… it’s difficult.”
    “And odd,” Lucy added.
    “Yes,” Heather nodded in agreement, “quite