Free Miss Frazer's Adventure by Alexandra Ivy Page A

right to be disappointed in me, Kate. I was shamefully inattentive as your fiancé.” He heaved a rueful sigh. “It would be a simple matter to blame my neglect upon the burdens of my business, or even the duties of learning to be an earl. It was what I told myself. But in truth, I fear I was merely uncomfortable and not at all certain what to do with you.”
    She blinked in confusion. “What to do with me?”
    Luce’s lips twisted in self-derision. “Unlike most gentlemen, I have never spent much time among society. My only experience has been among females who make no demands upon a gentleman and possess few expectations. Certainly, I have never learned the delicate art of wooing an innocent maiden. I feared I might make an utter ass of myself if I tried to win your affection.” He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Instead, I managed to wound your feelings and, in the end, to lose you entirely.”
    She faltered at his stark revelations, as if being forced to consider him as more than the arrogant, cold-hearted beast she had convinced herself he must be.
    Still, her eyes remained guarded as she met his piercing gaze. “That does not alter the fact that you would not be marrying me if it were not for my fortune.”
    Luce abruptly shifted so that he could lay his hands upon her shoulders. There would be no more misunderstandings between them. He knew from experience that they could only move forward if the past was laid to rest.
    â€œJust as you would not wed a gentleman unless he were of proper birth and social position,” he said firmly. “It is your duty to your family to offer them connections that would otherwise be above them, just as my duty is to ensure the welfare of my family. That does not mean that we cannot come to care for one another or to find happiness in our marriage.”
    â€œNo.” She jerkily raised her hands to press them to her temples. “Please, Luce. I do not wish to discuss this now. My head is still aching and I cannot think clearly.”
    His lips thinned with impatience but he reluctantly forced himself to remove his hands from her shoulders. The most certain way to lose her was to attempt to force her to his will.
    It was, after all, what her father would do.
    â€œAs you wish.” He offered her a smile. “Why do you not ring for a hot bath, and once you are feeling more the thing, you can join me downstairs?”
    â€œWhy?” she demanded warily.
    â€œI thought we might spend a few hours enjoying some of the sights.” He grimaced at the shadows beneath her eyes. “I doubt your constitution will be up for more strenuous pleasures until tomorrow.”
    â€œI am to join Lord Thorpe for a ride in the park later this afternoon,” she said in defiant tones.
    Luce’s features briefly tightened before he forced himself to relax.
    â€œVery well,” he conceded with an unconsciously predatory smile. “But you are having dinner with me.”
    â€œLuce.”
    He abruptly rose to his feet, realizing he had to get out of the room.
    One more mention of Lord Thorpe and he would resort to his original plan to toss her over his shoulder and head for the nearest vicar.
    â€œDo not linger too long in your bath, Kate,” he commanded in dark tones. “I shall be awaiting you in the garden.”
    Without giving her the opportunity to protest, Luce turned about and left the room. He moved down the hall with long strides and shoved open the door to his own chambers.
    At his entrance, Foster pushed himself from the chair where he had been impatiently awaiting Luce’s arrival.
    â€œIt’s about bloody time,” the old sailor muttered in sour tones. “I have been waiting here for near an hour.”
    Luce shrugged, crossing the room to pour a large measure of brandy. With one motion, he drained the fiery spirits down his throat.
    â€œI fear there has been a change of plans,