Miss Frazer's Adventure by Alexandra Ivy Read Free Book Online

would be a lust-filled debaucher who preyed upon the desperate and the lonely.
    Her teeth clenched as she marched through the lobby of the hotel.
    Very well, perhaps she was not destined to become the Toast of Society. Or to receive dozens of proposals.
    But she was not such a fright as all that.
    She was intelligent. Well-mannered. And capable of running the finest of households.
    Not all gentlemen would consider her an easy means to a fortune or a meaningless night of pleasure.
    Why the devil did he not return to Kent where he belonged?
    Brooding upon her wounded pride, Kate stepped toward the nearby stairs.
    Intent on fleeing to her room where she could gather her composure in peace, she failed to note the dark-haired gentleman leaning against the railing. It was not until he reached out and actually grasped her arm that she came to a startled halt.
    â€œMrs. Freemont.” Lord Thorpe regarded her flushed features in a quizzical manner. “I hoped I would find you here.”
    â€œOh.” With a self-conscious smile, Kate pushed back a curl that had strayed from her tidy coiffure. “Good afternoon, my lord.”
    The dark gaze shifted over her shoulder to where Luce’s form was still visible beside the window. “I see your acquaintance has decided to remain in London.”
    Kate’s hands abruptly clenched at her side. “Unfortunately. I do not know why he does not return to Kent.”
    â€œNo? Well, perhaps that is because you are not a man,” Thorpe muttered in wry tones.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNothing.” Returning his gaze to her wide eyes, the gentleman offered her a smile that could melt stone. “I was hoping you would have dinner with me tonight.”
    â€œTonight?” Absurdly, Kate found herself hesitating. Although she had no desire to give credence to Luce’s ridiculous words, she knew deep inside she was not entirely certain of Lord Thorpe’s intentions. A light flirtation was one thing. A full-out seduction was quite another. “I am not sure.”
    His head cocked to one side. “You do not wish to be with me?”
    â€œWe are still all but strangers,” she hedged. “And I do not believe it would be entirely proper.”
    â€œAh.” He reached out to lightly brush the stray titian curl. “We can have dinner here if you prefer. There is nothing improper in a gentleman and widow sharing a meal in such a public place.”
    She studied the meltingly beautiful male features and determinedly squared her shoulders.
    No.
    She was not going to allow Luce to ruin this as well.
    When she had come to London, it had been with the intention of indulging her desires. Every desire. Only a fool would toss aside the opportunity to become better acquainted with this delightful rogue.
    â€œVery well,” she agreed in firm tones.
    â€œGood.” He leaned forward to brush a light kiss over her forehead. “I will meet you at nine.”
    Kate watched his tall form disappear from the hotel. A prickle of awareness stabbed into her neck, assuring her that Luce had witnessed the entire scene through the window and that he was furious.
    Good.
    A smile curved her lips.
    She hoped he was furious.
    She hoped his head would explode.
    * * *
    Luce felt as if his head would explode.
    Pacing his chambers, he kept one ear cocked for the sound of Kate returning from her dinner.
    Damn that bloody Lord Thorpe.
    How had he managed to rent a private dining room? Not only were the rooms typically booked weeks in advance, but the exorbitant cost put them well beyond the means of all but the most exclusive guests.
    No doubt the scoundrel had used his influence and wealth like any treacherous rake.
    Money and influence the poverty-stricken Lord of Calfield did not possess.
    In any event, the lout’s maneuver had ensured that he had managed to slip Kate from beneath Luce’s very nose. And for nearly three hours, he had been left to stew in his