Read Miss Frazer's Adventure for Free Online Page B

Kent.”
    â€œAs would I,” he murmured. “As long as you were at my side.”
    â€œEnough.” She folded her arms about her waist. She wanted to be away from Luce. He was too large. Too dominating. Too blasted handsome. “You have not yet told me what you are doing here.”
    He held up a slender hand. “Very well, my dear. I am here quite simply because this is where I am staying for the duration of my stay in London.”
    Her eyes widened in disbelief. No. Not even this gentleman was that audacious. Was he?
    â€œYou have chambers here? In this hotel?”
    â€œYes.”
    He was that audacious. “Drat it, Luce, you promised . . .”
    â€œI am not interfering,” he firmly cut into her angry words. “Unlike your charming Lord Thorpe, I do not possess a town house in Mayfair, or anywhere else. I must stay in some hotel and this one suits me as well as any other.” He abruptly shrugged, his gaze running a restless path over her upturned face. “And speaking of Lord Thorpe, how was your evening with the aging roué?”
    Her eyes widened. “Lord Thorpe is not an aging roué.”
    His nose flared at her ready defense of her newfound friend. Almost as if he were jealous of the gentleman. A ridiculous thought, although one she could not entirely dismiss.
    â€œYou may not recognize his species, but I assure you, I can do so with ease. I can also assure you that he has only one intention as far as you are concerned.”
    Kate shrugged. Although she had thoroughly enjoyed her evening with the handsome lord, it had been impossible to relax enough to invite a more intimate conversation. The knowledge that Luce was watching her every expression had made her stiff and uncomfortable.
    Thankfully, her companion had easily sensed her mood and deliberately kept her entertained with lighthearted anecdotes of society.
    A sensitive and thoughtful gentleman, she told herself. A gentleman far more worthy of her attention than Lord Calfield.
    And yet, she had been unable to forget that cool blue gaze trained upon her with unnerving intensity.
    â€œHe is a perfectly polite and proper gentleman,” she informed him with a tilt of her chin. “Unlike some others that I could name.”
    â€œOh come, Kate, you are not that naive,” he scoffed.
    â€œWhat is that suppose to mean?”
    â€œA handsome gentleman dangling after a supposedly lonely widow? It should be obvious to the most innocent female that he is the sort to prey upon the unwary.”
    Kate sucked in a furious breath at his condescending tone.
    A serpent in her garden of paradise, indeed.
    â€œAre you implying that I am somehow unworthy to inspire a gentleman’s genuine regard? That every gentleman I encounter must only desire my body or my fortune?”
    He frowned with a building irritation. “I merely meant that you have very little experience with gentlemen of his sort.”
    â€œSomething I intend to correct if you would just leave me alone.”
    Her blunt words appeared to catch him off guard, and he gaped at her in disbelief before his features abruptly hardened.
    â€œEven knowing what he is?”
    â€œBut I do not know what he is,” she retorted in scathing tones. “And I am certainly not going to judge him upon the basis of your fevered imagination.”
    He glared at her for a long moment, no doubt struggling with the urge to shake her silly. Very few dared to oppose the Earl of Calfield’s considerable will. Certainly not a mere woman.
    â€œAnd if I am correct?” he gritted out.
    She offered him a taunting smile. “Then he should have enough experience for the both of us.”
    With a cool dignity, she swept past him, refusing to give in to the childish desire to topple him from the steps or slam the door upon his arrogant nose.
    The man was insufferable, she told herself.
    To think he would imply that the only man she could interest