Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (121 page)

He gave her one of his rare smiles and offered his

28

Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

arm, drawing her inside. He felt her gloved hand tense where it lay on the sleeve of his linen shirt as she took in the surroundings and he saw the place through her eyes while they wended through the tables; the smell of stale smoke mingled with alcohol and unwashed sweat; the worn garb of the patrons, the faded upholstered chairs and scarred tables.

Belatedly, he recalled he had left his own jacket at the table and that he wore no extra adornments as was his wont when gambling. No diamond pin twinkled in the folds of a nonexistent cravat, no gems sparkled at the cuffs of his sleeves. By
ton
standards he was in extreme dishabille, garbed only in a plain white shirt and tan breeches-a far cry from the expected dark evening wear.

Paine turned down a narrow hallway and opened the first door on his left. It was a small room that served as his office of sorts for when he discussed loans or other private issues. He ushered her inside and motioned that she should sit.

'Can I get you a drink? I have ratafia or sherry.' She shook her head and Paine shrugged, fixing a brandy to give himself something to do. Once he had his glass, he took his customary place behind the plain wooden desk and studied her, waiting for her to state her business.

Beautiful and nervous, he concluded, although she was hiding it bravely. She didn't fidget with her pristine white-gloved hands, but held them clasped tightly in her lap. Her posture was rigid. Despite the control she held over the rest of her body, her eyes gave her away completely. Her eyes were bold, challenging orbs of jade.

Scott

He'd seen the exact shade in the gem markets of Calcutta, transported from the mines of the Kashmir Vale, an exotic green polished to an emerald sheen. She wanted something.

He could not imagine what he had to a

stranger such as herself. But whatever she thought he had, she wanted it desperately. The challenge in her eyes said as much.

She did not speak and Paine felt obliged to fill the lengthening silence. 'Since we have not met, let me introduce myself. I am Paine

However, you

already

that. I feel distinctly at a disadvantage, for I have no idea who you might be.'

'I am Julia Prentiss. I thank you for agreeing to see me.' She spoke matter of factly, giving Paine the unlikely impression it might have been daylight outside and this meeting nothing more than a standard interview.

'This is a rather unusual time of evening for a business appointment. I must admit I am quite curious as to why you're here.' Paine leaned back in his chair, steepling his hands and trying to look as if he weren't fully aroused from the sight of her magnificent figure or the sound of her voice.

He saw the long column of her neck work briefly as she swallowed. For the

time since she'd entered the

establishment, he felt her resolve waver. When she did not speak immediately, Paine offered a lifeline. 'Do you need money?' Perhaps she had a gambling debt. It was not unusual for women to wager beyond their capabilities at cards at a ball or house party.

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

She shook her head, causing the aquamarine to dance lightly. Too late, Paine realized his faulty reasoning. The

alone could have been discreetly

pawned to cover a small debt. Good lord, he'd only known her for a handful of minutes and she'd addled his wits. His manhood strained against his trousers. He hoped she'd get to the point soon so he could begin his own manoeuvres.

'I need you to ruin me.' The words came out in a rush; a light blush coloured her flawless alabaster cheeks.

'Ruin?' Paine

an eyebrow. 'What do you mean

by "ruin"? Shall I ruin you at the gaming tables? I can arrange to have you lose any amount of your choosing.'

Her gaze met his evenly in all seriousness, her courage having returned in full force now that she'd begun talking. 'I don't wish to lose any money. I wish to lose my virginity. I want you to ruin me in bed.'

His mind warned of danger while his member fairly exploded at the anticipated pleasure being handed to it.

Dangerous pleasure-his favourite kind of diversion. 'I am not opposed to such an arrangement, but I would know more,' Paine said coolly.

'I am to marry a man I find completely unsuitable in five days. He will not have me if I've been She

paused, casting about for a word she could utter. 'If I've been touched by another.'

Paine felt a surge of disappointment. Partnering her in this request had any number of obvious drawbacks, not the least of which was the odds of facing a duel.

Danger was one thing, illegal proceedings like duels