Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (123 page)

Scott

Paine gave her one last assessing glance, not wanting to appear too easily conquered for pride's sake.

Whatever

might say about him, whatever

might have led her here under the premise he was not discerning about his bed partners, Paine knew otherwise. He considered his

carefully and

with utmost discretion.

'Yes. Yes, I will do it.'

Paine visibly saw the breath she'd been holding go out of

so great was her relief. Looking past him, her eyes evaluated the room. He followed her gaze to where it rested on the narrow cot with its drab blanket shoved against the wall. She pursed her lips into a resolute line and nodded towards the bed with dogged determination.

'Then we'd best get on with it.'

Paine thought he heard a note of sadness in her voice, perhaps regret, and he moved to eradicate it. She might be forced to surrender her virginity, but it didn't have to be a degrading experience. His own considerable pride as a lover bristled at the notion. No woman should ever leave his bed feeling demeaned by the experience of his lovemaking. He made a quick decision.

'I think you'll find my rooms better suited for our needs.' He nodded towards the cot. 'I've spent enough nights on that to know it is not even passably comfortable for one, let alone two people engaged in intimacy.'

She blushed and Paine was struck afresh by her innocence. For all her forthright behaviour, she was young and pretty and apparently alone. The last resonated with him strongly. He knew what it was like to be alone and

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

he felt a kinship with her that he had not felt for another person in ages. Something that slept deep within him was waking up.

'My carriage is in the back. We should leave before someone comes poking around,' Paine suggested, moving the interaction forwards. Now that the deal had been struck, Julia had fallen silent, her gaze pointedly fixed on her gloved hands.

He held out his hand. 'It's time to go unless you are rethinking your choices. Once you leave here, there's no turning back.' He gave a small chuckle meant to reassure her. 'I am sure it has come to attention

that I want you.'

Her head shot up at the comment, her eyes blazing with fire. 'First of all, how could you want know

nothing about me beyond my name and even that could be a fabrication on my part. Secondly, I haven't had any choices to

since eleven o'clock this morning,

when my uncle sealed my fate with his greed. Thirdly, there's been no turning back since the moment I left the Moffat rout tonight. I don't need your pity. I know exactly what I am doing, but I don't have to like it.'

Paine tossed back his head and laughed, partly out of relief that his vixen had returned and partly at the pert speech. 'You're right. You don't have to like it, but if your performance a few minutes ago is any indication, I bet you will.' He would make sure of it.

Chapter

T h e carriage ride was accomplished in silence. On her side of the carriage Julia seethed inwardly over letting goad her. Like it, indeed! She might be an innocent, but she was not utterly

She knew quite

well 'it' referred to the sex act. Paine was as

handsome as purported with his midnight hair and riveting blue eyes and twice as conceited if he thought she'd find pleasure in what she was about to do. In his male arrogance, he'd quickly forgotten she'd been forced to these measures.

She hadn't picked him for his skill. She had picked him for his willingness and she'd been right. He had acquiesced with very little persuasion. She had been prepared to beg, even pay for his services.

The carriage rolled to a halt. Julia sucked in her breath and steadied herself. Paine leaped down and turned back to hand her out. She'd expected to see

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

Jermyn Street with its bachelor residences. Instead, she found herself in unfamiliar territory.

'Where are we?' she asked, casting her glance up and down the street, looking for a marker.

of doubt

travelled through her. It was the height of foolishness to go with a stranger in a closed carriage without telling anyone of her whereabouts. Should he will it, Paine had her entirely at his mercy.

'Brook Street. I just acquired a house here. I have hopes of

the place into a luxury hotel that will appeal to an elite calibre of clientele.' Paine gestured to the rest of the street where other hotels had recently sprung up. 'The location seems ideal.' Then he winked conspiratorially, 'It's ideal for us as well. We will be less likely to be disturbed here.'

Paine produced a key and proceeded to unlock the door. 'You will have to excuse the absence of furniture.

The place is quite bare except for the bedroom upstairs and a little office I cobbled together in the back. I imagine

be

good use of the rooms once ren-

ovations begin

my presence will be required around

the clock.'

Julia gave a forced smile, appreciating his effort to put her at ease. Now that she'd had the space of the carriage ride to review what she was doing, her nerves were doubly on edge. Still, she
must
go forwards, she'd come too far to back out now.

Julia stepped inside, unprepared for the opulence that met her gaze. As he'd warned, the place was empty of furnishings. But it was not devoid of decoration. The