Miss Frazer's Adventure by Alexandra Ivy Page B

clinging wife could produce such offspring.”
    He seemed to catch her off guard, and for a moment she searched his features in the silvery moonlight.
    â€œBut surely you must have considered me weak and clinging when you first met me?”
    Luce carefully considered his words. Any hint of attempting to deceive her would ensure she never believed another word he offered.
    â€œI thought you reserved and somewhat uncomfortable in my presence, but to be honest, I presumed your father was responsible for your demure manner. He is overpowering in even the smallest doses.” He allowed a shudder to race through his body. “That did not, however, prevent me from noting your well-educated conversation and the ability to confront a near stranger as your fiancé without giggling or fainting or giving in to hysterics. That reveals more courage than if you had confronted me with sword in hand.” A wry smile suddenly curved his lips. “And of course, during the past few days, I have been charmingly convinced of your independent spirit.”
    â€œHardly charmingly, I would think.”
    He gave a soft chuckle. “Well, at least unmistakably.”
    â€œYes, I suppose.”
    â€œIt is an independence I greatly admire, considering you were raised by a father who does not seem to appreciate women of spirit,” he said firmly. “I know from experience how difficult it can be to oppose a parent’s desire to mold you into something that you are not.”
    She regarded him with disbelief, not seeming to notice the steady pull of oars was slowing as they neared the looming ship.
    â€œYou?”
    â€œYes, me.”
    â€œI find that hard to believe,” she retorted with a shake of her head.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œTo begin with, you are male. Sons, especially heirs, are always considered perfect no matter how flawed they might be.”
    â€œWrong,” he informed her, reaching out to tweak one of the burnished curls that had escaped her bonnet. “My father never bothered to hide his frustration that I was not destined to become the polished rake and gambler he thought it necessary for a nobleman to be. It did not help matters that I readily challenged his determination to toss away his entire fortune upon the card tables. In fact, he commanded me to leave the estate when I turned eighteen.”
    He thought he heard her breath catch. “I . . . forgive me, Luce. I did not know.”
    Very few people did know.
    Luce rarely spoke of those black days when he and his father had waged endless battles. Nor did he speak of the manner in which his mother had taken to her bed, leaving him to face the burden of their mounting debts. Of the nights he had walked the floor wondering what he could do to prevent disaster. Not even of his relief when his father had tossed him out the door so that he no longer was forced to watch the inevitable ruin.
    He far preferred others to believe him arrogant and imperious rather than reveal the uncertain lad who had fought to survive because he simply was too frightened to give up.
    Tonight, however, it felt somehow right to share his past with this woman.
    â€œI was fortunate to possess a small allowance from my grandmother that kept me afloat and eventually helped me to establish my business.” He breathed in deeply of the salt-scented air. “In truth, I was perhaps the most content I had ever been. For the first time I was in utter control of my life with no concerns beyond keeping my ships afloat. And then ...”
    â€œYour father died and you became Earl of Calfield,” she finished softly, surprisingly reaching out to lightly touch his arm.
    A poignant warmth flowed through his blood. It was the first occasion she had sought to touch him of her own will.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIt must have been difficult to accept a title you did not desire,” she murmured with startling perception.
    He grimaced. “I will admit that I