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She was caught elbow-deep in his papers. The only strategy available to her was to lie, and blatantly. “I longed for another visit with you,” she said, pasting an amiable smile on her face. “I am to be your bride, after all. ”
“Indeed. And a lucky man I am. ” As he strolled toward her, his eyes danced over his belongings as though scanning for anything else that might be amiss. “And how lucky too, that I finished early at the docks. To think I might’ve missed a visit with my in
tended. ”
He loomed over where she sat in his chair. “When my apprentice told me you awaited me in my offices, well, you can imagine I came back here in an instant. To see your lovely face once more, of course. ” He stroked the backs of his fingers along her cheek, and she tried to conceal her shudder. “Even lovelier than I remembered. ”
His hand stilled, and he took and cupped her jaw more firmly than was comfortable. “But tell me, is it that you plan to get to know me by reading my private papers?”
More than he knew. Face stiff from her fake smile, she said, “I thought it’d be a good idea to get a better notion of what sort of business yours is. It seems grand indeed. ”
“You do have an … unnatural interest in business. ” Abruptly, he let go her face and his eyes flicked to his open drawer. “I see I’ve found myself a thorough bride. You must tell me if you have any questions. ”
He glanced at the book trembling in her hands. It was still opened to the passenger list. “That, for instance. What do you make of it?”
She closed it, placing it primly in her lap. “It … I … I can’t say I know what it is. ”
He gave her a patronizing smile. “Surely a clever businesswoman like you has some theory. Tell me,” he said more firmly. “What does it look like?”
She was uncertain how to answer. He had a sharp mind, and she could tell he thought hers sharp too. A bald-faced lie would be foolish, so she chose to massage the truth. “It looked as though you’re transporting passengers, not knitted goods. ”
“Did it?” The sound of his falsetto laughter filled the room. “How odd!”
“Yes!” She matched her false laugh to his, her teeth gritted with forced cheer. “Indeed! Imagine that. ”
Fraser’s mood took a sudden turn. He strode to the door, shutting it hard. Shutting them in together.
Her heart thudded in her chest, but she made herself be brave. She’d told Aidan she could handle this herself, and blast it, she would.
He stalked back and sat on the edge of his desk so that she was forced to crane her neck up to look at him. He took his book from her lap, letting his hand graze lustfully along her thigh as he did so. “I don’t think I like you snooping about. You must ask me next time. I’d be happy to show you whatever you’d like to see. ”
Nestling the folio back in its hiding spot, he added, “In fact, I should take you on a tour of the docks. ”
The prospect gave her a chill. “That sounds … delightful. ”
“But sadly, it’s time for me to get back to work. I must make money to buy us a honeymoon you’ll never forget. ” Giving her an oily smile, he stood, taking her hands and pulling her up with him. “But first, a kiss for your husband-to-be. ”
Her facade cracked, and she instinctively recoiled.
Fraser’s grip tightened on her fingers. Eyes narrowed, he said, “Elspeth, dear heart. You don’t strike me as the most eager of brides. Is it that you’re afraid of me?”
She shook her head. “No, of course not. I simply …”
Simply what? I’m simply repulsed?
His eyes seemed to pierce her. “You are simply … overwhelmed, perhaps, at how quickly we are proceeding?”
“Yes,” she said, relieved at being given an out. “Perhaps that is it. ”
“Perhaps you don’t want to carry this engagement forward just yet,” he suggested gently.
She hesitated. Could it be that Fraser wanted out of the betrothal too? Had it all just been something her father had concocted?
She felt a glimmer of hope. This arrangement might be easier to back out of than she’d thought. “Perhaps you are right, Lord Fraser. ”
“Ah,” he said, taking his hands from hers. He added in a clipped voice, “I had the right of it. ”
She told herself that his peculiar tone wasn’t chilly, that Fraser was merely acting formally. She gave him a broad smile. “I’m grateful for your understanding. ”
