Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (157 page)

Scott

of being her knight in shining

a hero instead of

the dark rake.

Having to explain the last twelve years to Peyton in front of her would tarnish his image.

year ago, he

wouldn't have cared what someone thought of him. But in the time they'd been together, it had suddenly come to matter very much what Julia thought.

'It will be a fine day,' Peyton began, drawing everyone's attention easily, falling back on the faithful topic of any English conversation. 'The weather is perfect for taking Julia out and showing her the estate.'

have Cook pack a hamper if you like, Paine. You can pick strawberries. They're in full fruit right now,'

Beth suggested eagerly.

Julia beamed at the idea. 'I'd love to see everything,'

she exclaimed excitedly and then sobered. 'But it can wait. I don't want to take you away from your brothers.

There must be a lot to talk about.' She meant it Paine knew she had no idea just how much there was to talk about.

Peyton was quick to assure her. 'There will be time to talk later.'

Paine felt a flicker of anger lick at his conscience. He could make his own decisions. He wasn't the baby brother any longer. He didn't need Peyton's permission to show Julia around.

He tamped down his temper, disappointed that the old kernel of his discontent was still there, so readily accessed at the smallest provocation. He'd come home to keep Julia safe. He knew the choice would mean

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making amends and explanations. He could not let himself be angered so easily or

wouldn't see him

as a changed man, a man who knew the world.

'Then, we'll go,' Paine offered with a tight smile, but he felt Julia's eyes linger on him as if she could see the turmoil beneath his seemingly easy acquiescence.

Park was easily several times larger than her uncle's modest estate. Julia marvelled at the sheer vastness of the parkland, the immense stretches of green, manicured lawn reaching up to the woods that bordered the southern flank of the house. Paine told her the woods were

of bridle trails leading out to various follies.

There would time to explore those later. Today, they were headed to the west side and the grain fields that beckoned with an undulating golden wave in the light breeze.

Paine drove them about in a plain pony cart pulled by a cob, the sleeves of his linen shirt rolled up past his elbows, the steady, slow pace manageable with one hand on the reins. He was jacketless and the shirt was open at the throat. He exuded a natural male beauty in his simple attire. Julia thought she could stare at him for ever. She might have continued casting covert glimpses at him from under the brim of a borrowed straw riding bonnet if he hadn't caught her.

'What is it, Julia? You're staring

'I was thinking how you look today reminds me of the first night I saw you. You had your sleeves rolled up then,

she stammered, embarrassed at being caught in her perusal.

Scott

'A whole week ago,' Paine said wryly.

'A lot has happened since then,' Julia replied, struggling to keep her gaze fixed forwards. She was reluctant to talk of the business between them on such a lovely day, but it seemed dishonest not to acknowledge it. 'I never meant for it to come to this,' she said quietly. It had to be said. The guilt of it all was too much to bear silently.

She felt Paine7s eyes on her. 'How much have you told Peyton?'

Julia shook her head. 'Hardly anything. I wasn7 t sure what you wanted me to say. I thought you should be the one. I wasn't sure. . . she faltered, repeating herself. She was entirely out of her depth here. She did not know the extent or quality of Paine's relationship with his family.

She had not meant to involve an earl in her plan or to even develop an association with Paine that

went beyond one night.

Paine pulled the cart over to the side of the path they'd followed and jumped down. 'No more of

such things. Today is for us.' He came to her side of the cart and swung her down.

The easy grip of his hands at her waist felt welcome.

She'd missed his touch while

slept. She'd missed

his presence. Of course, she couldn7 t tell him that. This thing between them was strictly business. That he gave her pleasure, that he stirred longings in her, was not part of their agreement, merely a by-product. shared by-product.

Mutual attraction might not be part of the contract, but it had developed. Julia took comfort in that.

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Whatever his emotional attachment to her was, she knew Paine desired her physically. When this was over, such knowledge would have to be consolation enough.

Paine's hands stayed at her waist long after her feet found the ground. He pulled her to him, causing her head to arch back to look up at him. She revelled in the feel of his body, hard and muscular against hers.

Without hesitation, he took a swift kiss, bending with expert precision to avoid the brim of her hat.

When he pulled back, he was all carefree boyish charm. 'Where did you get such a contraption?' He made a gesture towards her hat. 'Tell me you didn't pack it all the way down from London?'