Julia heaved a sigh. “Well, Aunt Sylvia decided that it was high time her tribe of savages were allowed to view the numerous historical sights, which might very well prove the end of refined civilization. Cousin Mary is determined to purchase wardrobes for her daughters, as if one seamstress is not like another, and Cousin Henry claims he desires a new pair of Hessians, although it is my opinion that he has more of an interest in the local brothels than in the boot maker.”
Kate’s stomach clenched a bit tighter. This was a disaster. A stroke of ill fortune of monumental proportions.
Avoiding her father was merely a matter of caution. After all, he could be depended upon to avoid any location that might possibly attract members of the ton. But to avoid dozens of relatives complete with their hordes of servants who would obviously be crawling throughout the streets of London . . .
“Blast,” she muttered, clenching her hands in her lap.
Julia offered a sympathetic sigh. “I am sorry, Kate. But I had to warn you.”
“Of course. Can you imagine what would have happened had I accidentally bumped into Aunt Sylvia upon the street?” She gave a sudden shudder.
“No doubt you would discover yourself hauled back to Kent and locked in the cellar before you knew what had occurred,” Julia retorted.
The melodramatic words should have been humorous. Kate, however, did not laugh.
While her father might not actually lock her in a cellar, she knew him well enough to realize that what little breath of independence she had managed to wrangle would be gone forever. He would see her deception as a flagrant attempt to follow in the footsteps of her mother and would take firm action to ensure that she was never allowed another moment alone.
He might even decide to buy her another fiancé. One that would arrive at the church on time.
She sucked in a sharp breath at the ghastly thought. No. She could not allow it to happen. She would not.
“Obviously, I must ensure that I am not discovered,” she muttered in low tones.
“How?”
“I suppose I have only two choices,” Kate grudgingly admitted. “I can either return home or remain in these chambers until Father leaves. Neither of which is particularly pleasant to contemplate.”
“Which will you do?”
Kate turned her head to regard the tidy but cramped sitting room. The mere thought of being confined in such a small space was enough to make her cringe. Surely an entire week of pacing the floors would be unbearable. And yet, she was not at all prepared to return to Kent and her life of relentless boredom.
“I do not know,” she admitted with a sigh. “It would be a wrench to leave London.”
“You are enjoying your stay, then?” Julia demanded.
“How could I not?” Kate gave a lift of her hands. “I could never have dreamed of all the wondrous sights and endless entertainments. I believe I could remain here for months and never grow weary.”
A teasing smile touched her cousin’s lips. “And what of your wish for a glorious flirtation? Have you encountered any dashing, delightful rogues?”
Caught off guard, Kate could feel the revealing heat crawl beneath her skin. “Actually, I . . . there has not been much time.”
A hint of stubborn determination hardened Julia’s delicate features. “Oh no. There is something you are not telling me. Who is he?”
Kate nervously cleared her throat. “Well, there is Lord Thorpe. And before you begin torturing me with a dozen questions, allow me to inform you that I know very little about him beyond the fact that he is handsome, charming, and a true gentleman.”
Oddly, Julia narrowed her gaze at the rushed words. Or perhaps, not so oddly. After all, the two girls had been raised practically as sisters since Julia’s mother had come to live with Sir Frazer after the abrupt departure of Kate’s mother. She always knew when Kate was attempting to hide something from her.
“There is something else,” she said in stern tones. “Give over, Kate.”
Just for a moment Kate battled against the inevitable, and then with a sigh, she offered Julia a faint grimace.
“Lord Calfield discovered that I had traveled to London and followed me here.”
A stunned silence descended as Julia pressed a hand to her heart. “Dear heavens. How do you know? Has he approached you?”
Kate gave a decidedly humorless laugh. “Oh yes. In fact, he is staying at this very hotel.”
“Here? But this is terrible.”
“Fairly terrible, yes.”
Her cousin gave a slow shake of her head. “I cannot believe it. He did come to Rosehill, of course, but when I told him that you were in Surrey and had no desire to speak with him, I presumed that he had chosen to accept your decision. I never dreamed . . . however did he find you?”
Kate shrugged. “He merely followed the tracks I thought I had hidden so cleverly. Obviously not cleverly enough.”
Brooding upon the unexpected revelation, Julia puckered her brow, clearly attempting to sift through the numerous difficulties that Luce’s presence in London would present.
“Does he know of your charade?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“But he has not exposed you?”
“Not as of yet.” Ridiculously, Kate felt her blush deepen. She discovered herself oddly reluctant to discuss Luce and his determined pursuit. “He believes that if he is charming enough, I will eventually come to my senses and return to Kent to be his wife.”
The dark brows lifted in astonishment. “And is he?”
“Is he what?”
“Charming?”
“Do not be absurd,” Kate retorted with more force than necessary. Perhaps because she was telling such a blatant falsehood. If nothing else, Luce possessed the charm of the devil himself. “At the moment, I am forced to endure his presence. Soon enough he will grow weary and search out a more willing maiden.”
“Well. This is an awkward predicament. And more than a bit dangerous, Kate. Lord Calfield could easily ruin your reputation if he chose, you know.” Julia eyed her with obvious concern. “Are you certain that it would not be best simply to return to Kent?”
“Actually, I am uncertain of anything at the moment, Julia,” Kate ruefully conceded. “I must have time to consider what is for the best.”
“Well, do not do anything without informing me of your decision,” Julia warned in firm tones, rising to her feet. “We are staying at the King’s Arms. Leave a message for me there.”
Kate also rose, giving a nod of her head. “Very well.”
“I must go before my absence is noted.” Julia leaned forward to place a light kiss upon Kate’s cheek. “But know that I am here for you if you have need.”
Kate smiled fondly at the maiden who had always provided her with unquestioning love and support.
“Thank you, Julia.”
“For goodness’ sakes, take care of yourself.”
Replacing her bonnet, Julia moved to the door and, with a last concerned glance, slipped out of the chambers. Once alone, Kate flopped back onto the sofa and heaved a heavy sigh.
Blast. Blast. Blast.
What the devil was she to do?
* * *
What the devil was she up to?
Pacing the empty hallway, Luce glared at the stubbornly closed door to Kate’s chambers. Only the fact that he had engaged her in a relentless inquisition assured him that the stubborn maiden was still within. As she had been for the entire day. Now, as the afternoon sun trailed steadily across the sky, he progressed from frustrated to downright concerned.
Why would she remain the entire day locked in her tiny chambers?
Was she ill? Was she troubled? Was she angry? Was she . . .
A dozen explanations, each more horrid than the last, raced through his mind. It was near the hour for tea when enough at last became enough.
Squaring his shoulders, Luce stepped across the hall and, without so much as a knock, thrust the door open. Rather to his su
rprise, it was unbolted and swung open easily. A swift glance revealed Kate curled on the sofa with her head laid back on the cushions.
“Kate.” With a frown, he swiftly crossed the room to kneel beside the sofa. “What is it? Are you ill?”
With a blink, Kate slowly opened her eyes, as if she were just awakening from a nap.
“Luce?”
He reached to grasp her fingers. “Are you well?”
“Yes, of course.” She gave a faint shake of her head, her gaze narrowing. “What are you doing here?”
“I was concerned. You have not left your chambers the entire day.”
She scooted upright, her hands lifting to push back the burnished curls. “And how would you know that, Luce? Have you been watching my door?”
He smiled wryly. “Yes.”
She blinked at his blunt honesty. “Why?” “Because I am concerned for you.” He regarded her darkened eyes with a faint frown. “Especially at this moment. Tell me why you have secluded yourself in these rooms. You have been dashing about London like a madwoman since you arrived. Something must have occurred to make you remain here the entire day.”
Her lips thinned, and for a moment, he thought she might refuse to answer. Then, as if sensing he was not about to leave until he had a satisfactory explanation, she heaved a deep sigh.
“It is my father.”
“Sir Frazer? Has he discovered your whereabouts?” he asked with a sharp stab of unease. An odd reaction, considering that the arrival of the older gentleman could only enhance his pressure upon Kate to become his wife. But then, he had already realized that he did not desire to force her to become his wife. When she walked down the aisle, it would be of her own will.
“No, but he is in London,” she confessed in dark tones. “Along with an entire legion of my family. Julia arrived this morning to warn me.”
“In London.” He grimaced at the thought of encountering the puffed-up poppycock. “That is a rather unfortunate coincidence.”
“Yes, you could say that,” she retorted dryly.
“And so you are reduced to hiding in these rooms until he departs?”
She gave a restless shrug. “It is that or returning to Kent. I cannot risk being discovered.”
Luce slowly levered himself to his feet, considering her dilemma. On one hand, there was a certain relief in having the unpredictable chit safely ensconced in her chambers. At least here she was in no danger of creating a scandal. Or worse, being in the company of that persistent cur, Lord Thorpe.
But, on the other hand, he possessed enough sense to realize that she would soon be frustrated and infuriated by her confinement. She would be pacing the floors and not at all in the humor to be wooed by even the most determined suitor.
Clearly something would have to be done.
And done swiftly.
Turning on his heel, Luce paced toward the shuttered window. He had taught himself over the years that there was never a problem that did not possess a solution. It was all a matter of sifting through every possibility. No matter how far-fetched the possibility.
Aware of Kate’s gaze trained upon him with a wary puzzlement, Luce turned his concentration upon the various options. Startlingly the answer came with swift ease. Indeed, it was almost as if the thought had already been hiding in the back of his mind just awaiting the moment to make its appearance.
“Actually, there is another solution,” he murmured as he turned to meet her narrowed gaze.
“Another solution? What do you mean?”
He hesitated, all too aware that whatever he might suggest, there was bound to be an argument. At the moment, Kate was so determined to maintain her fleeting independence that she would dig in her heels at even the most brilliant of notions.
At least if it came from him.
“Do you trust me, Kate?” he abruptly demanded.
She blinked, her lips parting as she struggled with her reply. “Trust you?”
He slowly crossed back toward the sofa, his gaze steadily holding her own. “It is a simple question, my dear.”
“I . . . I do not know,” she at last retorted.
Luce smiled wryly. Hardly an overwhelming display of confidence.
“Will you trust in me enough to discover the means of rescuing you from your current quandary?”
She wet her lips. “What do you intend to do?”
“I have a few thoughts in mind, but they all depend upon whether you will put yourself in my hands.”
There was a long silence as she battled within herself. Clearly, she still considered him a blatant danger. And one that she would prefer to avoid.
Perhaps even to the point of risking her father’s fury.
But even as he discovered himself smothering his painful wrench of disappointment, she seemed to come to a decision as she abruptly squared her shoulders.
“What do I need to do?”
Ridiculously, Luce felt his breath rushing from his lungs. As if he had just received a rare and utterly precious gift.
Squashing the urge to give a shout of triumph, he forced himself to maintain an air of brisk efficiency.
“You need do nothing more than pack a bag and inform the manager that you will be leaving London for a few days. I will take care of everything else.”
“Luce ...” She wavered, her teeth anxiously worrying her bottom lip. “I am not certain if I ... if we ...”
“Be at ease, Kate,” he soothed. “I intend nothing more nefarious than keeping you hidden for the next few days. Once your father has returned to Kent, you can continue your pursuit of pleasure and adventure.” He gave a brief bow as he headed firmly toward the door. Another few moments and she would convince herself she had just made a deal with the devil. “Be prepared early. I shall collect you before eight.”
Not giving her the opportunity to debate his command, he slipped out the door and closed it behind him. Only then did he smile wryly at his absurd sense of satisfaction.
He might have momentarily managed to outmaneuver Miss Kate Frazer, but he could not fool himself that it was anything more than a brief aberration. One that would no doubt pass all too swiftly.
Oddly enough, however, his smile remained as he strolled with light steps down the hall.
* * *
Luce smiled with indulgent amusement at the unmistakable sound of Kate’s shriek as it filled the air. Even above the chatter, whistles, and shouts from the crowd, he knew it was his delightful fiancée.
Pressing his way through the spectators that encircled the racetrack, he determinedly made his way to her side.
He suspected Kate would enjoy the thrilling excitement of the horse races. It was tailor-made for a woman seeking new experiences. Which was only one of the reasons he had chosen Brighton as their destination when they entered his rented carriage yesterday morning.
Unlike London, the resort town was nearly deserted of society, with only local gentry and wealthy merchants to take advantage of the various entertainments. They could easily mingle among the crowds with no concern of being recognized.
Still, for all of his confidence that Brighton would be the perfect location to hide Kate until her father’s return to Kent, he had not been at all certain of her response.
She had been wary and on edge during the nearly six-hour carriage ride, and more than once, he had feared she might abruptly insist that she be returned to London. There had been another moment of tension when they arrived at the Castle Inn, where he checked them in as Mr. and Mrs. Freemont.
It was not until they had been led upstairs and she realized that he had requested two separate suites, albeit with a connecting door, that she seemed to accept he had not plotted to manipulate her into his bed.
Or worse, to the nearest vicar.
Confident that he seemed to mean no harm, Kate had arrived at breakfast this morning in surprisingly high spirits. She had questioned him ceaselessly on the various entertainments and sights that were to be discovered, clearly determined
to take advantage of her brief stay. And anxious to prove he was more than capable of providing her with all the adventure that she could possibly desire, Luce had swept her from the hotel to promenade along the Steyne at the fashionable hour of nine o’clock, followed by a visit to the growing monstrosity of Prinny’s Marine Pavilion and then to the seaside where one or two brave souls dared the chilled beach.
After a light luncheon, he had been struck by inspiration and escorted her to the nearby races. And he had not been disappointed in her enthusiastic response.
With delightful abandon, she had thrown herself into the hectic excitement that tingled in the air, although she had refused to allow him to place a wager over a quid. Her insistence had made him smile, knowing that it revealed a great deal of the more conservative side, which she was determined to ignore.
Her lack of extravagance in betting, however, did not lessen her enthusiasm as she stood at the railing and loudly cheered her horse onward. Nor dampen her excitement when one of her nags at last crossed the finish line in first.
As Luce stood in a position to keep a close eye upon her slender form, her happy shrieks called to him like a siren’s song.
Catching the flash of her titian curls in the pale winter sunlight, Luce experienced an odd rush of warmth. How could he not enjoy being with Kate?
She was so eager, so ready to embrace life that it was impossible not to be infected. He felt younger than he had in years. Perhaps since the day he had realized his father’s incessant folly and the weight of the world had been planted upon his shoulders. And for once, Kent and all those who depended upon him seemed far away.
Coming to a halt beside Kate, he allowed his gaze to slowly trail over her animated features. Lifting her head, she smiled deep into his eyes, making his heart do a most peculiar flop in his chest.
“Luce, did you see? Starlight came in first.”
“So he did,” he agreed, taking the slip of paper from her fingers before it was crumpled beyond repair. “Your luck seems to be in.”
“Yes, indeed. I have never won upon a bet.”
“A veritable fortune, indeed,” he agreed dryly, realizing that she would barely come out a few pence ahead.
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