Wintersbride

"I should have adopted you, not married you!"
Adam's comment was made jokingly, after their hasty marriage. Admittedly, Miranda was young, but his proposal had seemed like a good practical arrangement. It would provide Miranda with a home and his daughter, Fay, with a mother.
Understanding Fay was only part of the problem. Miranda found it increasingly difficult to live with the ghost of Adam's first wife—and to know that her growing love for him was unwanted…

Excerpt…
"Stay here with me until bedtime."
Miranda's words made Adam look down at her in surprise. It was the first time she had ever tried to detain him.
"I'm afraid you must find the evenings dull," he said.
"No, no, the others I do not mind, but tonight is different. You are different."
"Am I?" He stood regarding her with an odd expression. "Is it possible you are trying to flirt with me, Miranda?" he asked.
She looked up at him. "Yes," she replied with firmness.
His eyebrows lifted. "That might be dangerous in the circumstances," he said softly. "I'm flesh and blood, you know, in spite of our platonic agreement."
"Our agreement was of your making," she replied, the heavy lashes veiling her eyes.