Free The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables Book 2) by Darcy Burke

wanted to go and has arranged for Lady Satterfield and Aquilla to pick you up.”
    Lucy wanted to groan. She did not want to go. Furthermore, they hadn’t been invited. Yet it seemed that Grandmama had neatly maneuvered an opportunity for Lucy to attend. She might be slowing down physically, but her acumen was as sharp as ever.
    Aquilla angled toward her. “It will be just like Seasons of old.” Her blue eyes sparkled with anticipation, and Lucy couldn’t help but be swept up in her enthusiasm. Just because she didn’t want a husband didn’t mean she couldn’t help her friend find one. Besides, she missed adorning the wall with Aquilla.  
    “Yes, it will.” All of Lucy’s ball gowns were from last Season and the one before, but that wouldn’t matter, not when she would spend the evening in the shadows.
    The conversation turned to Nora’s two children, and soon Lucy’s grandmother was ready to leave. When they were settled in their small carriage, Lucy didn’t prevaricate. “I see you organized my evening for me.”
    Grandmama patted her hand. “Indeed I did. You can’t be expected to find a husband if you aren’t out. I spoke to Lady Satterfield about this at length. She will take you along with her and Miss Knox, since I am not able to keep up today.”
    It was even worse than just tonight. She’d organized Lucy’s entire Season. How was she to maintain her plan with Dartford if she was out with Lady Satterfield and Aquilla? “Thank you. But don’t be disappointed when I am still unwed at the end of the Season.”
    Grandmama pursed her lips. “My dear, I hope not. Your time is running out. It’s now or never, I’m afraid. You know what’s at stake.”
    Just their entire livelihood. They could live, but it would be a pale imitation of the life they currently enjoyed. It was going to be an adjustment, but one that Lucy was more than prepared to make.
    “I do,” Lucy said quietly. She wanted to tell her grandmother what she’d told Aquilla, that she was working on a solution. But she wouldn’t even say that much. Once she had the money in hand and could set the move to Bath in motion, she’d tell both of them that they needn’t worry.
    Her next appointment with Dartford couldn’t come soon enough. In the meantime, she’d suffer through tonight and do whatever she could to help her friend’s cause. Aquilla wanted a happily ever after, and she would have it.  
    Lucy would settle for comfortable ever after.

Chapter Five

    A ndrew arrived at Lady Colne’s ball fairly early, but not too early. He was instantly besieged by those of his acquaintances who attended these sorts of events. And then he was assaulted by matchmaking mamas parading their daughters in front of him as if he were at Tattersall’s surveying horseflesh. It was more than a little discomfiting.
    He was pleasant but noncommittal, and his attention was divided between those seeking his company and the woman he was looking for but wasn’t sure he could find. Since he had no idea what she really looked like.
    He supposed he did have at least an idea—the shape of her face, her height, the tilt of her head. Her eyes. Those lush, expressive eyes that reminded him of the forest at Darent Hall, his country seat. If he could just hear her speak, he’d know her for certain.
    Because he’d dreamed she had dark blonde hair, that was what he found himself searching for. He could be wrong, however, so he told himself to study every face and form for a hint of his friend Smitty.
    A tall, regal woman approached him. “Lord Dartford, how charming to see you here.” The woman was vaguely familiar, but he wasn’t completely sure how he knew her. She seemed to understand his consternation, bless her, for she said, “I’m Lady Satterfield. I was a friend of your mother’s when we were in our first Season. I came to Darent Hall a few times, but you were only a boy.”
    And just like that, Andrew’s heart began to pound. Cold sweat dappled