Miss Frazer's Adventure by Alexandra Ivy

come to London with a purpose and nothing he might say or do would alter her determination.
    Feeling his gaze resting upon her expressive countenance, she forced a calm smile to her lips. She was the new, daring Miss Kate Frazer, she reminded herself sternly.
    â€œWren was obviously a genius,” she murmured.
    There was a glint in the blue eyes that warned he suspected at least a portion of her inner unease, but thankfully he did attempt to press her.
    â€œObviously, and like most geniuses he was also a bit batty. It says here that when this dome was being completed, he had himself hauled up in a basket two or three times a week to ensure all was going to his plan.” He glanced the long distance down to the smooth marble below. “Can you imagine swinging about in a basket when you are seventy-six years of age?”
    Her nose wrinkled. “I cannot imagine swinging in a basket at any age.”
    He leaned his large frame against the railing, studying her beneath half-lowered lids. “Not even for the sake of such a glorious work of art?”
    She glanced about the ornate perfection that glowed like a jewel. A sense of awed peace filled her heart as she breathed deeply of the hushed air.
    â€œYou are right. I believe I would have dangled in a basket from sunup to sundown if I could have created something so wonderful,” she admitted with a wistful smile. “How splendid it must be to watch a dream taking form stone by stone, brushstroke by brushstroke.”
    â€œYes, there is nothing so satisfying as shaping something from nothing.”
    She regarded him with a searching gaze, intrigued by his low words.
    â€œYou speak of your shipping company?”
    He blinked as if startled that she had sensed his deeper meaning.
    â€œYes, I suppose I do.” He smiled with a boyish charm. “Although a handful of ships can hardly compare to a work of such wonder.”
    â€œI would not think that it is the size or the grandeur of the dream that is important, but the dream itself,” she murmured as her hands skimmed over the smooth railing. She was startled by the odd ache that clutched at her heart. Determinedly, she sucked in a deep breath. “Tell me, how did you ever come to own a shipping company?”
    He searched her guarded expression for a moment before offering a faint shrug.
    â€œIt was actually more a fluke than choice. Ten years ago, I happened to win a ship in a card game, although it was rather a jest to claim the pile of rotting timbers as anything beyond a ruin. In truth, I had every intention of selling it to the first gullible fool who would give me a quid when I happened to go down to the docks and stepped onto the deck.” His lean features unwittingly softened with a deep sense of pride. “In that moment, I realized that I could do more with my existence than waltz through ballrooms or follow my father’s footsteps into the gambling hells.”
    â€œYou enjoy your business?”
    His lips twitched at her hint of surprise. “I enjoy the challenge. Even the risk. I hazard the entire future of my company with every cargo I purchase. It is a gamble each and every day.”
    The unmistakable glitter of pleasure that warmed his blue eyes summoned that ridiculous ache once again. Her fingers tightened upon the rail as she considered the source of her discomfort.
    â€œI must say that I envy you,” she admitted slowly, her brow unconsciously wrinkled as she sorted through her strange emotions. “I cannot recall ever possessing a dream that I could follow.”
    Thankfully, he did not treat her confession with an offhand dismissal. Instead, his expression became somber as he reached out to gently brush a curl that lay against her cheek.
    â€œSurely you must have harbored dreams as a young girl?”
    She gave a restless shake of her head. “The usual maidenly dreams, nothing of value.”
    He gave a lift of his brow. “Having been