Free Marriage to a Mister (A Daughters of Regency #1) by DeAnne Cherry Page A

puzzle. That must be why we were all invited, because of the Osborne girls. Julia is a particular friend of mine and you two have known Fleur for ages. It all makes sense now that there will be an announcement ." She giggled, happy at the idea of one of them finally marrying.
    "Hush, Prudence, now you're just speculating." Phoebe said, trying to un-ruffle some of Charity's feathers. "The Duke of Norfield is old friends with the Earl of Blackburn, but it doesn't have to mean marriage between the families."  
    "Oh, Phoebe, what else does one announce at a ball?" she asked, exasperated at their lack of enthusiasm. "It's obvious to everyone that they would be perfect for one another." Prudence lowered her voice and leaned towards them. "It must be that there is an understanding between them."
    Charity leaned back in her chair with an indignant huff. "How absurd."
    "That will be enough, both of you," said Phoebe. "We don't know anything right now and I do not like gossiping about Fleur like this when she's not here to defend herself."
    "Very well," said Prudence, while Charity looked about the room, continuing to fan herself. To the world Charity looked cool and confident, but she was quickly becoming worried. What if Prudence was right? If he were indeed to marry Fleur, she would have no prospects at all until next season, and that would not do at all.  
      She stole a glance at the viscount, and sure enough, he was still looking at her with unabashed curiosity. She really couldn't figure out what the man was about, but she hoped for her own sake that Prudence was wrong, though if she wasn't, she was prepared to wish Fleur well. Securing her own future was important, but not at the cost of her own dear friend's happiness.
    ***
    Evan made his way into the ballroom with Nathan looking for his cousins and brother. He'd never attended a ton ball, only country assemblies back home, and the opulence both amazed and petrified him. He gazed around the room and saw much to scorn, but he also admitted — even reluctantly — that there was also much to praise.
    Couples young and old danced in the center of the room, talking and laughing. Matrons guarded their charges like the fierce lionesses they were and men both respected and feared them as they circled around, gathering courage to speak.
    It was a choreographed dance, this mating ritual, and it fascinated him.  
    He walked further in the room and spied Edward in his usual pose, leaning against a wall, nonchalantly looking across the room. Felix and Dom were on either side of him, and Evan's tense shoulders relaxed with relief at seeing familiar faces.  
    Nathan and Evan made their way towards them into the thick of it, and the whispers and words of his arrival did not go unnoticed by him.  
    "Everyone is staring at me," he whispered to Nathan.
    Nathan laughed. "Of course they are. Had you done your duty like a good little gentleman and attended these things before, then you would have been as unremarkable as the rest of us. As it is, you're like the new act at a traveling circus. Everyone wants to get a good look at you."
    Evan looked around and saw no fewer than four ladies in white staring at him from behind fans beside the refreshment table. He quickened his pace.  
    Arriving, Felix clapped him on the shoulder, laughing at his practical gallop to their side. "Ah, Evan, fancy seeing you here. Stay by us, young cousin, and we shall protect you."
    Dom laughed. "He looks ready to bolt, Carter. Didn't you warn him at all?"
    Nathan smiled and shrugged.
    "Leave him be," said Edward, his amusement obvious only to those who knew him.  
    Evan pulled at his cravat with a glare from Nathan. "It's so hot in here, I don't know how any of you stand it for long."
    Felix smiled and shook Evan's shoulder once more. "That's why God invented the card room, Evan, so men would have a place to drink and tarry and loosen their collars with stories that weren't made for ladies, young or old."
    Evan