Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (155 page)

Scott

'Nothing. We're safe,' he breathed.

'How much farther?' she asked. It seemed she'd been driving for ever. Time had become meaningless.

Darkness would settle shortly and she feared that the most. If they were far enough from Dursley Hall, perhaps Oswalt's men were waiting for the light to fail.

In the dark, she and Paine would be hard pressed to out-manoeuvre them again.

'Just two miles.' Paine grimaced, turning paler than he had been. 'Julia, listen to me, there'll be a turn in the road, it marks the entrance to the Dursley parkland. Turn and then head straight, the road will lead you to the hall.'

Just two miles. Julia said the words over in her head like a Catholic litany. They had to be the longest two miles she'd ever travelled. Then, just when she thought they were safe, five riders loomed in front of them as they neared the turn in the road.

Five magnificent dark horses spanned the road like a barricade. Julia felt her panic rise. She would never make the turn or be able to crash through them and remain unscathed. Her skill was only hours old. Julia fought back her terror, but she couldn't refrain from the scream that bubbled up in her throat.

Paine laughed beside her in spite of his injury and weariness. 'Don't be frightened, Julia love, it's merely my brother. We're safe now.'

Julia's fear turned to relief. At last, she could lay down her burden. She pulled the carriage to a halt with the last of her arms' strength.

black-haired man rode up and smiled up at Paine.

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

'Welcome home, little brother. Somehow I am not surprised you've returned with a beautiful woman at your side and the hounds of hell at your heels.'

voice was full of emotion,

although he couldn't speak more than the one word.

'He's hurt,'

broke in, eager to get Paine off the road and to see the journey completed. 'I can drive the team well enough if you can manage the leader on the turn.'

'Where's Peyton?' Paine managed.

'Waiting for you at the house with Cousin Beth.' The brother called

tossed the words over his

shoulder as he edged his horse up to the where the leader stood, blowing hard after the run. 'No more questions until we get you settled. The lady's given her orders,'

he joked, but Julia thought she sensed worry in his voice.

Paine did look quite awful with his myriad cuts and bruises, the ragged bandage on his wounded arm showed signs of new bleeding-bright red blood still damp to the touch. Remnants of their encounter on the road and two days of unending travelling had worked great changes in Paine's appearance. No one would guess the man beside her had been turned out with sartorial elegance two nights prior.

Julia knew without the benefit of a

glass that

she appeared no better than Paine. The expensive silk was ripped and stained beyond repair. Her hair hung and matted from wind. But just as she knew how awful the pair of them appeared, she knew his brothers wouldn't care. There'd been abject devotion in Crispin's eyes and underneath his teasing words of welcome.

Scott

Beside her, Paine tried to slip off to sleep or into unconsciousness-she couldn't tell which. She elbowed him gently. 'Don't you leave me now. Your brother will never forgive me if you arrive asleep after a twelve-year absence.'

'How do you

Paine mumbled, his speech

slurred with exhaustion.

'Because he's coming down the lane right now,' Julia said, unable to hide the smile from her voice.

had led them around a bend in the road and the house came into view as they gained the drive. Two figures stood on the wide steps, dark in the fading light. At the sight of them, one of them started moving.

Nearing the figure, Julia could see he was running, a swift, athletic sprint. When he was close enough he called out, 'Crispin, is it them? Paine? Paine? Is it you?'

The voice roused Paine. 'Julia, stop the carriage.

Help me down.'

Julia protested, 'We're nearly there.

you wait

until we reach the steps? You're in no shape, Paine.'

'Please, Julia. I want to get down and meet him on my own feet,' Paine persisted, his tone sharp and surprisingly alert.

Julia pulled on the reins, calling to to halt.

She helped Paine steady himself. His injured arm made his descent ungainly, but he had his wish. Then Peyton had him wrapped in a brotherly embrace that nearly moved Julia to tears.

'Paine, you're home, at last. Thank God. I thought I had lost you for ever.'

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

Paine murmured something Julia couldn't hear and sagged in his brother's arms, spent at last. She watched Peyton and a footman haul Paine indoors and presum-ably upstairs to a chamber to rest. She felt bereft. The one person she knew in this strange place could be of no assistance to her now.

'He'll need a doctor. There was no time to stop on the road and nowhere to stop, in any case,' Julia said to no one particular, feeling at loose ends.

'He'll be fine.'

woman of middle years with dark

hair and

eyes spoke in soft tones, coming up to the carriage. 'Crispin!' she called out. 'Come help lady down.' The woman turned a gentle smile in Julia's direction. 'I'm Cousin Beth; you're in good hands now. Don't

about a thing. We'll get you

settled in no time. There's nothing wrong with Paine that rest and good

can't cure and you, too, for

that matter. You look as if a meal and a long sleep would be welcome.

send for the physician from

the village.'

She meant her words kindly, but she could not dispel the loneliness that swamped Julia. Julia let swing her down from the high seat. She let the eminently capable Cousin Beth lead her through the house to a beautifully appointed lady's chamber. She was appreciative of the friendly welcome, but she desperately wanted to be with Paine, even if it was to watch him sleep.

Only now when Paine was out of her reach, did she