Desperate and Daring 01 - Desperate and Daring Read Free

Primrose.”
    Lord Draven bowed rather coldly, his expression of boredom unmoving. Mr. Calder smiled politely as he bowed, his eyes touching on Heather’s as he stood erect again. Heather had to pull her eyes away again with difficulty as if they hooked to his and were reluctant to let go. She looked down at her hands to hide her unease. It was then that their hostess swooped down to rescue them, or rather, the titled gentleman.
    “Lord Draven! Lord Rigsby, surely you must not deprive the other ladies of your attention.” She smiled broadly at everyone as she herded them towards another group. They hastily bowed goodbyes as Lady Endervale carried them away with the tenacity of an owl snatching a mouse from the ground. “Your attention is certainly wasted there,” she was heard saying as they moved away. Heather’s head snapped up as she turned to watch the lady depart in shock.
    “Well, the nerve of that woman—”
    “Lucy,” Lady Rigsby cut her off.
    Heather looked down again, but it was impossible not to notice the shining hessians in her periphery of her view.
    “Mr. Calder, is it?” Lucy smiled.
    Mr. Calder looked as comfortable as a sheep among wolves. It was clear his attention wasn’t desired for the other ladies in the room. Heather looked up tentatively, aware her cheeks were quite possibly as red as raspberries.
    Mr. Calder turned to Lucy with a polite smile. “It is, Lady Lucy.”
    “Please sit, and tell us about yourself,” Lady Rigsby bid.
    Mr. Calder obliged, and Heather relaxed a bit. He positively loomed while standing.
    “There isn’t much to tell, Lady Rigsby. I am steward to the Duke of Ablehill. His carriage broke an axel a town south of here, and he is recuperating at an Inn with a sprained ankle.”
    “Oh, my!” Lady Rigsby and Lady Everly gasped.
    “He sent me on ahead to give his excuses and prepare for his stay,” Mr. Calder finished.
    From the corner of her eye, Heather could see her mother turn to her in concern. But what was odd was the way Mr. Calder turned to her expectantly, as well. Dear Lord, did he know? He must, since he worked for the duke. It was humiliating to say the least.
    “That is unfortunate, Mr. Calder. We were so looking forward to his arrival,” she said stoically. His eyes quietly assessed her, and she had a feeling he knew exactly who she was and what she wanted. Her pulse increased the longer he watched her until he moved his eyes away. Heather could feel her pulse beating in her neck. She watched as he made a kinder assessment whilst looking over her mother and sisters.
    “I hope the duke will recover from his injury?” Her mother pressed.
    “Oh, it is certain. Just a day or two off his feet should do the trick. The doctor assured us of this. The duke would have preferred to recover here with such splendid company, but the jostling of the hired carriage was too painful. As soon as the axel is repaired, he will join us.
    Heather felt worry sink into her bones. Now she would have even less time to make a favorable impression on the duke before the house party ended. She felt Violet tug at her hand. She looked down in surprise. She didn’t realize she was still holding onto Violet.
    “Have a care,” Violet whispered.
    Heather released her hand, and Violet pulled it into her lap and rubbed it.
    The room was stifling now that so many guests occupied it. Heather wished to be outside again in the cooler air. Her mind was clouded with worry, and she feared it was written all over her face. She needed to get her bearings, she needed to be able to think clearly, so she could decide what to do about the duke and put on a carefree attitude for her family. She was about to speak when— “I beg your pardon, but I must see that the duke’s room is satisfactory.” Mr. Calder bid them good afternoon and left the drawing room. Heather smiled in mild relief and turned to her mother. “I’m going to exchange wraps. This is far too heavy for indoors. Violet, do