Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (174 page)

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

and had become quite taken with each other. Aunt Lily claimed having introduced them at a family dinner.

As June lengthened towards midsummer, everywhere they went, crowds surged around them. But Julia wasn't enough to assume the sycophantic crowd around them meant Paine had been welcomed back. It was too soon. That judgement would occur later and the verdict would start trickling through

As would the

verdict regarding herself. Had she

How much

people liked her would hugely affect how willing they'd be to accept her story without probing too closely. But there were good indicators success was assured. She'd even survived Almack's and now had permission to waltz.

Standing next to her at the

rout, Paine shook

hands with a gentleman. 'I'll be staying at Dursley House. Please feel free to call and we can discuss business more thoroughly.'

'That sounds promising.' Julia nodded after the retreating figure of the gentleman.

'Yes. I've found business loans can be one way of restoring my reputation,' Paine said. 'They're starting up the music. Would you dance with me? I seem to recall dancing with a gentleman at a fine affair was on a certain Prentiss's wish

he flirted lightly, offering his arm.

'You remember that?' Julia placed her hand on his sleeve, fighting a blush. She remembered that, too, but more vivid than what she'd said was what they'd done.

'Yes. And.. . Paine's eyes twinkled as they took their places in the forming sets . . . I remember other things we did that night, too.'

Scott

claimed her for the second dance, but the third dance was an energetic country dance and Julia was glad for the rest. The ballroom was warm and she was desperate for a cool breeze.

Paine read her need immediately when returned her to their court. 'Perhaps you'd prefer a stroll on the terrace,' Paine suggested.

'Just the terrace, Paine,' Peyton cautioned quietly from his side. Julia stifled a laugh. There they went, managing each other again, or at least trying to. She appreciated Peyton7s reasons for it, though. They were close to success, close to laying

dubious past and rowdy

youth to rest. An amorous blunder now could easily put paid to their hopes.

'Just the terrace, Peyton.' Paine grinned and whisked her away.

The terrace was disappointingly crowded, but the cool air was a relief. 'I think it would be all right to walk in the gardens,' Paine suggested.

be glad when all

this nonsense is over and I can kiss you when I like,' he whispered in her ear.

Julia silently agreed with that sentiment. As expected,

been unable to come to her room and, with all eyes on them, their opportunities to be together were severely curtailed.

The gardens were better. They were less populated and Paine adroitly found them a bench by a quiet fountain surrounded by tall hedges.

been here before,' Julia said, suspicious of the ease with which the place had been located. It was

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

well hidden enough that the casual wanderer would be unlikely to come across it.

'Yes.' Paine put an arm about her waist and drew her close. 'I can safely kiss you here.'

'Paine, you know the rules,' Julia protested. 'The evening's been going so well, I don't want to jinx it.'

'We won't get caught. Besides, anyone who catches us would have plenty of explaining to do as to why they were out here, too,' Paine reassured her, sweeping her into his arms for an impromptu waltz before she could marshal another argument. 'I've wanted you so much.

It's killing me not to be able to touch you.'

Julia stumbled a bit as she tried to find Paine's rhythm. 'This is not at all like dancing with my cousins.'

Paine laughed. 'I should hope not!' He pulled her tight against him and swung a tight turn around the fountain.

there's supposed to be distance between us,'

Julia gasped, but her gasp had little to do with outrage and everything to do with the excitement of being in this man's arms. With him, even a simple dance was an adventure.

'I wonder why this dance is so scandalous. I mean, the way they dance it inside. It's just a pattern of circles and turns,' Julia mused out loud, finally falling into Paine's rhythm with confidence.

'My dear, don't you know? The waltz is a metaphor for sex.'

'I don't believe you. I think you're just making that up to shock me.' Julia laughed.

'No, watch and learn,' Paine drawled, his eyes turning dark with seductive intention. He slowed his