Miss Frazer's Adventure by Alexandra Ivy

would that be?”
    â€œThat I could have brought an end to this foolishness the moment I arrived in London.” He caught and held her wary gaze with a steady determination. “A brief message to your father would have you hauled back to Kent and condemned to your chambers until you are too old and feeble to leave them. I do not doubt that for all your brave words you would be relieved enough to accept my proposal in time, if only to escape your imprisonment.”
    Her breath caught, as if she were surprised by his sudden challenge of her bluff. Of course, she could not realize just how much she had revealed during her drunken confessions.
    â€œThen why have you not done so?” she demanded.
    He leaned against the leather seat, regarding her with a searching gaze. In the muted light, it was impossible to determine more than the stubborn set to her lovely jaw.
    â€œBecause I have come to believe that we can do better than a gentleman in need of a fortune and a maiden who feels compelled to please her father. With a bit of effort, I think that we can at least be friends.”
    â€œFriends?”
    He gave a faint shrug. “Why not?”
    There was a moment’s pause, as if she were reluctantly considering words.
    â€œYou believe that I shall be more amenable to marriage if we are friends?” she at last demanded.
    â€œCertainly that is my hope, and I will not insult your intelligence by pretending otherwise,” he said in dry tones. “However, for the moment I am content to follow your lead and leave the future to unfold in its own time. All I ask is to simply be offered the opportunity to prove that I am not the unfeeling monster you perceive me to be.”
    She stiffened in surprise at his low words. “I have never thought you a monster, Luce.”
    â€œNo?”
    â€œOf course not. I . . . simply do not trust you.”
    â€œSo you have told me.” His gaze narrowed. “But you have not said why you will not offer me the opportunity to prove that you can place your faith in me. Do you fear that I might convince you that we belong together?”
    She sucked in a sharp breath. “Certainly not.”
    â€œGood. Then we shall simply enjoy our time together while you are in London,” he said in firm tones. “Without concern that I am plotting some devious and evil scheme to force you into marriage. A new beginning. Do you agree?”
    A silence descended, broken only by the striking of hoofs against the cobbled road. Luce knew that Kate was far too intelligent not to realize he was still fiercely determined to have her as his wife. And yet, he had managed to manipulate her into either agreeing to his offer of friendship or allowing him to presume that she was frightened of being vulnerable to his charm.
    An untenable notion for a woman with such pride.
    â€œI will agree to accept your companionship if and when it pleases me,” she at last reluctantly conceded. “But I will not be hounded nor bullied.”
    His low chuckle filled the carriage. “I will do my best to curtail my tendencies to hound and bully, which are always unforgivably gauche. Although I do not promise not to charm and bewitch. Two of my most potent weapons, I feel compelled to warn you.”
    Thankfully, her tension seemed to fade at his light teasing, and she even turned to offer him a faint smile.
    â€œAnd whoever was foolish enough to convince you that you possessed even the slightest ability to charm and bewitch?”
    â€œShall I offer you a list of references, my dear?” he murmured.
    â€œDoes it include more than just your mother, my lord?” she quipped.
    â€œOuch. A noteworthy hit.” He laughed as the carriage slowed to a halt. “Thank heavens we have arrived.”
    She turned her head to peer out the window. “Arrived where?”
    â€œYou shall soon discover.”
    Pushing open the door before the groom could assist, Luce climbed