Miss Frazer's Adventure Read Online Free PDF

ruin.
    Well, it would not be allowed to happen again.
    He was prepared for anything.
    Absolutely anything.
    That rather smug thought had just passed through his mind when he lifted his head and Kate stepped into the lobby. With a startled gasp, he promptly choked on his scotch.
    Bloody hell.
    Although she had at least replaced the scandalous crimson gown in deference to the elegant surroundings, the daring jade gown she now wore was no more successful in covering her slender body. Barely skimming her shoulders, it hugged her slight bosom with a tenacious perfection, the skirts floating down in a river of silk. Beneath the candlelight, her skin glowed with a milky perfection and the sultry glow in her eyes added a potent sensuality that set fire to the very air.
    His breath evaporated as she glided across the lush carpeting, her curls framing her pale countenance with a rich, vibrant temptation. A temptation shared by him and every other male in the room, if the stunned expressions were anything to go by, he acknowledged dryly.
    So much for being prepared for anything.
    Giving a shake of his head, Luce forced himself to his feet.
    Very well, she was not the dowd she had pretended to be. In fact, there was absolutely nothing dowdy about her. Beneath those former ugly gowns and hideous caps, she had been a gentleman’s deepest fantasy.
    That did not alter the reason he had come to London. If anything, it made it all the more imperative that he whisk her back to Kent before some shallow rake managed to steal the heart that belonged solely to him.
    â€œGood evening, Kate,” he murmured, stepping directly into her path and forcing her to a halt. “What a pleasant surprise.”
    A brief flare of annoyance darkened her eyes to an interesting shade of green before she was determinedly offering him a tight smile.
    â€œHardly a surprise, I should think, my lord. You did after all know quite well that I would be here this evening.”
    He regarded her steadily. “I believe that I requested you call me Luce when you accepted my proposal. It is not so difficult a name.”
    â€œBut we are no longer engaged, Lord Calfield,” she replied, deliberately using his formal title.
    â€œBy your choice, not mine.”
    She lifted her brows in a manner perfectly designed to set his teeth on edge. “I believe, sir, that you must have taken an unfortunate blow to the head. Or perhaps your advanced years have affected your memory. I was not the one who deliberately missed my own wedding. Indeed, I stood at the altar for nearly an hour awaiting your arrival. It was a most . . . enlightening experience.”
    Luce battled a sharp pang of guilt. Blast it all. He had not meant to hurt her. Perhaps he should have left London earlier. Or insisted that Foster take the ship out, and damn the storm. But . . .
    But nothing, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind. He had behaved like an arrogant ass by treating his own marriage as if it were no more than an unwanted appointment that could be attended or missed at his convenience. Now, it was obvious he would have to pay for his indifference.
    â€œI am sorry, you know,” he said softly. “It was never my intention to hurt or humiliate you.”
    If he had hoped his words would melt her heart, he was to be sadly disappointed.
    â€œIt no longer matters. In truth, I should thank you for jilting me.”
    Luce did not like the sound of this. Not one little bit.
    â€œThank me?”
    A genuine smile curved her lips. “Yes. Had you not left me at the altar, I would never have found the courage to come to London and truly seek my independence. You offered me something that I never expected to find.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?”
    â€œFreedom.”
    He stilled. Dash it all. He had known he was not going to like her confession. And he most certainly did not.
    She was not supposed to want her freedom. She was supposed to want marriage and