Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (171 page)

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

windows caught the scent of the climbing roses that grew below. As town gardens went, Dursley House boasted quite a large one by urban standards.

She was glad for it. The trees and the greenery blocked out the city din and provided a soothing calm.

Her nerves were on edge at the thought of being back in town. She would have

going to

house and being alone with him in his exotic bedroom.

Perhaps he would have, too. She was starting to understand what had goaded his passionate display at the inn.

It was doubtful he'd be able to come to her room as long as they stayed here under the watchful eyes of Peyton and Aunt Lily, who occupied the room next door to her.

It was all part of her 'protection7. Paine had made it clear that he didn't want her left alone at any time and Peyton had staunchly supported his brother's wishes.

In his residence, there would be just the two of them and a handful of day servants. Here, she was surrounded by him, his brothers and the family servants, whose loyalty was unquestionable. If need be, Dursley House could be her fortress.

She appreciated their efforts to see her well guarded.

But it was both stifling and unnerving. Peyton was probably downstairs now, meeting with the staff, coaching them about their latest guest.

Julia leaned out the window to inhale the roses. She closed her eyes and breathed in their peace. She would need the peace of the garden in the weeks to come.

Paine7s arguments of propriety and protection aside, there were other reasons they had to be at Dursley

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House. Dursley House was about status. She and Paine needed the credibility of the Dursley name behind them for their plan to succeed.

Paine waved up at her from the terrace, casual and fresh in a clean shirt and breeches. 'Julia, come down!'

Had it been an hour already? Julia changed into a simple yellow-sprigged muslin from Madame Broussard's in record time and flew down the stairs. The brothers were waiting for her in the drawing room. 'I'm sorry to be late,' she apologised.

'You look lovely. The yellow becomes you,' Paine said, coming to stand next to her and lifting her hand to his lips in a soft

The gallant-suitor act startled her

for a moment until she remembered the plan. Ah, the play had begun. She must remember to play her role as well. That would mean no sparring with Paine or arguing in public or private.

Beyond them in the dining room, dinner had been set out on white cloth-covered tables lit with candles, footmen waiting to remove the covers. Peyton and Aunt Lily led the way. Paine offered her his arm for the short distance and she smiled up at him as they waked. 'This is a nice fantasy,' Julia said, hoping to convey to him that she understood his behavior and that she would act her part. Paine merely smiled. He pulled out her chair and seated her, letting his hands linger on her shoulders before

the chair next to her.

After a short round of small tak, while the covers

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

were removed and the footmen departed to let them eat in privacy, Peyton turned the conversation immediately to their mission at hand. Julia suspected this was the very reason they'd chosen to dine informally inside instead of outside on the terrace, enjoying the summer evening. Here, they could serve themselves and not be interfered with; indoors, they wouldn't risk the sound of their conversation being

to unwanted ears.

'We've

without mishap.' Peyton raised a glass of the excellent white wine served with the fowl. But there was no rest for the weary. They'd barely taken two bites before Peyton raised their business.

'I have already met with the staff here at Dursley House and given them my strictest instructions regarding Julia. They are not to discuss her presence in this home. To do so will result in being dismissed immediately. Additionally, I have instructed them that Julia is not to leave the house without one of us with her plus an appropriate escort of footmen. Is that clear, everyone?' Peyton

them all in turn with his regal

stare before continuing. 'Preferably, I'd like Julia to stay put. As soon as Oswalt knows the knocker is on the door, there's no doubt he'll set men to watching the house as a precaution. None the less, we will not hide like scared rabbits. Tomorrow, we tackle the
ton.
We need to talk about that.' He turned to Lily. 'You've looked over the invitations-which gathering do you recommend?'

'Invitations already?' Julia broke in. 'We've only been in town a few hours.'

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'I had the knocker go up on the door before I even arrived,' Aunt Lily said as if another eight hours' notice made all the difference. The message was clear. The Earl of Dursley was a sought-after commodity.

And why not? Julia couldn't help but cast a glance at the man who sat at the head of the table. He was an older, more mature image of Paine, who was nigh on irresistible with his good looks. It had not occurred to her before just how much of an eligible Peyton

would be for the

mamas. Stable,

wealthy, titled and handsome-all eminently desirable and rare characteristics to find in a marriageable man.