Miss Frazer's Adventure (10 page)

“Kate.” With a frown, he swiftly crossed the room to kneel beside the sofa. “What is it? Are you ill?”

With a blink, Kate slowly opened her eyes, as if she were just awakening from a nap.

“Luce?”

He reached to grasp her fingers. “Are you well?”

“Yes, of course.” She gave a faint shake of her head, her gaze narrowing. “What are you doing here?”

“I was concerned. You have not left your chambers the entire day.”

She scooted upright, her hands lifting to push back the burnished curls. “And how would you know that, Luce? Have you been watching my door?”

He smiled wryly. “Yes.”

She blinked at his blunt honesty. “Why?” “Because I am concerned for you.” He regarded her darkened eyes with a faint frown. “Especially at this moment. Tell me why you have secluded yourself in these rooms. You have been dashing about London like a madwoman since you arrived. Something must have occurred to make you remain here the entire day.”

Her lips thinned, and for a moment, he thought she might refuse to answer. Then, as if sensing he was not about to leave until he had a satisfactory explanation, she heaved a deep sigh.

“It is my father.”

“Sir Frazer? Has he discovered your whereabouts?” he asked with a sharp stab of unease. An odd reaction, considering that the arrival of the older gentleman could only enhance his pressure upon Kate to become his wife. But then, he had already realized that he did not desire to force her to become his wife. When she walked down the aisle, it would be of her own will.

“No, but he is in London,” she confessed in dark tones. “Along with an entire legion of my family. Julia arrived this morning to warn me.”

“In London.” He grimaced at the thought of encountering the puffed-up poppycock. “That is a rather unfortunate coincidence.”

“Yes, you could say that,” she retorted dryly.

“And so you are reduced to hiding in these rooms until he departs?”

She gave a restless shrug. “It is that or returning to Kent. I cannot risk being discovered.”

Luce slowly levered himself to his feet, considering her dilemma. On one hand, there was a certain relief in having the unpredictable chit safely ensconced in her chambers. At least here she was in no danger of creating a scandal. Or worse, being in the company of that persistent cur, Lord Thorpe.

But, on the other hand, he possessed enough sense to realize that she would soon be frustrated and infuriated by her confinement. She would be pacing the floors and not at all in the humor to be wooed by even the most determined suitor.

Clearly something would have to be done.

And done swiftly.

Turning on his heel, Luce paced toward the shuttered window. He had taught himself over the years that there was never a problem that did not possess a solution. It was all a matter of sifting through every possibility. No matter how far-fetched the possibility.

Aware of Kate's gaze trained upon him with a wary puzzlement, Luce turned his concentration upon the various options. Startlingly the answer came with swift ease. Indeed, it was almost as if the thought had already been hiding in the back of his mind just awaiting the moment to make its appearance.

“Actually, there is another solution,” he murmured as he turned to meet her narrowed gaze.

“Another solution? What do you mean?”

He hesitated, all too aware that whatever he might suggest, there was bound to be an argument. At the moment, Kate was so determined to maintain her fleeting independence that she would dig in her heels at even the most brilliant of notions.

At least if it came from him.

“Do you trust me, Kate?” he abruptly demanded.

She blinked, her lips parting as she struggled with her reply. “Trust you?”

He slowly crossed back toward the sofa, his gaze steadily holding her own. “It is a simple question, my dear.”

“I . . . I do not know,” she at last retorted.

Luce smiled wryly. Hardly an overwhelming display of confidence.

“Will you trust in me enough to discover the means of rescuing you from your current quandary?”

She wet her lips. “What do you intend to do?”

“I have a few thoughts in mind, but they all depend upon whether you will put yourself in my hands.”

There was a long silence as she battled within herself. Clearly, she still considered him a blatant danger. And one that she would prefer to avoid.

Perhaps even to the point of risking her father's fury.

But even as he discovered himself smothering his painful wrench of disappointment, she seemed to come to a decision as she abruptly squared her shoulders.

“What do I need to do?”

Ridiculously, Luce felt his breath rushing from his lungs. As if he had just received a rare and utterly precious gift.

Squashing the urge to give a shout of triumph, he forced himself to maintain an air of brisk efficiency.

“You need do nothing more than pack a bag and inform the manager that you will be leaving London for a few days. I will take care of everything else.”

“Luce ...” She wavered, her teeth anxiously worrying her bottom lip. “I am not certain if I ... if we ...”

“Be at ease, Kate,” he soothed. “I intend nothing more nefarious than keeping you hidden for the next few days. Once your father has returned to Kent, you can continue your pursuit of pleasure and adventure.” He gave a brief bow as he headed firmly toward the door. Another few moments and she would convince herself she had just made a deal with the devil. “Be prepared early. I shall collect you before eight.”

Not giving her the opportunity to debate his command, he slipped out the door and closed it behind him. Only then did he smile wryly at his absurd sense of satisfaction.

He might have momentarily managed to outmaneuver Miss Kate Frazer, but he could not fool himself that it was anything more than a brief aberration. One that would no doubt pass all too swiftly.

Oddly enough, however, his smile remained as he strolled with light steps down the hall.

* * *

Luce smiled with indulgent amusement at the unmistakable sound of Kate's shriek as it filled the air. Even above the chatter, whistles, and shouts from the crowd, he knew it was his delightful fiancée.

Pressing his way through the spectators that encircled the racetrack, he determinedly made his way to her side.

He suspected Kate would enjoy the thrilling excitement of the horse races. It was tailor-made for a woman seeking new experiences. Which was only one of the reasons he had chosen Brighton as their destination when they entered his rented carriage yesterday morning.

Unlike London, the resort town was nearly deserted of society, with only local gentry and wealthy merchants to take advantage of the various entertainments. They could easily mingle among the crowds with no concern of being recognized.

Still, for all of his confidence that Brighton would be the perfect location to hide Kate until her father's return to Kent, he had not been at all certain of her response.

She had been wary and on edge during the nearly six-hour carriage ride, and more than once, he had feared she might abruptly insist that she be returned to London. There had been another moment of tension when they arrived at the Castle Inn, where he checked them in as Mr. and Mrs. Freemont.

It was not until they had been led upstairs and she realized that he had requested two separate suites, albeit with a connecting door, that she seemed to accept he had not plotted to manipulate her into his bed.

Or worse, to the nearest vicar.

Confident that he seemed to mean no harm, Kate had arrived at breakfast this morning in surprisingly high spirits. She had questioned him ceaselessly on the various entertainments and sights that were to be discovered, clearly determined to take advantage of her brief stay. And anxious to prove he was more than capable of providing her with all the adventure that she could possibly desire, Luce had swept her from the hotel to promenade along the Steyne at the fashionable hour of nine o'clock, followed by a visit to the growing monstrosity of Prinny's Marine Pavilion and then to the seaside where one or two brave souls dared the chilled beach.

After a light luncheon, he had been struck by inspiration and escorted her to the nearby races. And he had not been disappointed in her enthusiastic response.

With delightful abandon, she had thrown herself into the hectic excitement that tingled in the air, although she had refused to allow him to place a wager over a quid. Her insistence had made him smile, knowing that it revealed a great deal of the more conservative side, which she was determined to ignore.

Her lack of extravagance in betting, however, did not lessen her enthusiasm as she stood at the railing and loudly cheered her horse onward. Nor dampen her excitement when one of her nags at last crossed the finish line in first.

As Luce stood in a position to keep a close eye upon her slender form, her happy shrieks called to him like a siren's song.

Catching the flash of her titian curls in the pale winter sunlight, Luce experienced an odd rush of warmth. How could he not enjoy being with Kate?

She was so eager, so ready to embrace life that it was impossible not to be infected. He felt younger than he had in years. Perhaps since the day he had realized his father's incessant folly and the weight of the world had been planted upon his shoulders. And for once, Kent and all those who depended upon him seemed far away.

Coming to a halt beside Kate, he allowed his gaze to slowly trail over her animated features. Lifting her head, she smiled deep into his eyes, making his heart do a most peculiar flop in his chest.

“Luce, did you see? Starlight came in first.”

“So he did,” he agreed, taking the slip of paper from her fingers before it was crumpled beyond repair. “Your luck seems to be in.”

“Yes, indeed. I have never won upon a bet.”

“A veritable fortune, indeed,” he agreed dryly, realizing that she would barely come out a few pence ahead.

She wrinkled her nose in a charming manner. “Very well, you need not be so superior. I am well aware that I have lost far more than I have won.”

“If you are aware of such a tedious calculation, then you are no true gambler,” he murmured.

“Perhaps not.” Her eyes flashed with an enticing glitter. “Still, it has been most enjoyable. And exciting. Far more exciting than I expected.”

“You have never been to a racetrack before?” he asked softly.

“Good heavens, no. My father would not even allow me to attend the races during the local fair.” She grimaced at the memory. “He claimed that such a boisterous entertainment was unseemly for maidens and, worse, inflamed the blood of young gentleman so that they could not be trusted to mind themselves as they should.”

He regarded her delicate profile for a long moment. “Sir Frazer seemed to disapprove of a great many things. Especially those things that might bring a measure of happiness to his daughter.”

The glitter in her eyes briefly dimmed. “I suppose he thought he was protecting me.”

“There is a difference between wishing to protect someone and deliberately crushing them beneath one's will,” he retorted in unwittingly disapproving tones.

“Not to my father's mind.”

“Fah. He is fortunate that you did not rebel years ago.”

Her lips twisted, although there was little amusement in her smile.

“There was not much danger of that,” she retorted dryly. “As long as I can remember, I was far too anxious to prove I was the perfect daughter to offer any protest.”

His chest seemed to tighten as he thought of her desperately attempting to please a father who would never acknowledge she was good enough. The thought was enough to make him want to hit something.

Preferably the florid countenance of Sir Frazer.

“No one is perfect,” he said softly, gazing deep into her beautiful eyes. “Thank heavens. The world would be a dismal place without a few interesting flaws within all of us.”

“Indeed?” Her earlier mood of infectious enjoyment returned as she gave a lift of her brow. “And what flaws will you confess to, my lord?”

He pretended to give great consideration to her teasing question. “Well, I must admit that I dislike vegetables, and I have been known to prefer the companionship of sailors and smugglers to that of polite society.”

“And?” she prompted, not at all impressed with his confessions.

“I cannot carry a tune. In truth, I sound like a wounded hound whenever I attempt to sing.”

“And?”

“And I possess a fear of bats.”

She blinked. “Bats?”

“Nasty, dirty beasts who are forever hiding in the dark.”

“Mmm . . .” She regarded him with a determined patience. “And that is the full list of your flaws? Vegetables, bats, and smugglers?”

Well aware of where she was leading, Luce allowed his lips to curve in a boyish smile. “For the most part, although I suppose there could be a rare few who might, just might, consider me the tiniest bit assertive when the occasion demands.”

Kate gave a loud snort at his modest words. “A bit assertive? You are utterly arrogant and run roughshod over others without the least hint of remorse.”

His smile faded as he reached out to lightly touch her soft cheek. “That is not entirely true, my dear. I have taken great care not to run roughshod over you, despite the very pressing temptation. Indeed, I believe it could be argued that I have allowed myself to be readily led upon your leash.”

She blinked at his low words. “You upon a leash? Absurd.”