Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (175 page)

Scott

pace, making their steps deliberate. 'The woman is in pursuit, that's why the woman is always dancing forwards, as it were. It's a chase. If we dance too close together, you can feel me through my trousers, even my most intimate parts. That's why those prim matrons in there insist on distance. But out here, we don't have to about such nonsense.'

'Do you

everything about sex?' Julia flirted, knowing he was dangerously aroused, but not caring.

She was desperate for him after weeks of denial.

He danced her against a hedge and kissed her hard on the mouth. 'I've wanted to do that all night.'

'Devour me, you mean?' Julia managed between The truth was, she wanted to devour him, too.

She'd missed his presence in her bed.

'I want you, Julia.' Paine placed a line of hot down the column of her neck. Julia arched against him, a moan escaping her lips. She made a valiant bid for sanity. 'I don't think this happened to Cinderella when she danced with the prince.'

'Oh, you don't, do you?' Paine whispered

'You might be surprised. Perhaps the prince knew how to do the "twining creeper".' He lifted her baring

her thighs to the summer night. 'Let me do this for you, a little of our own magic before midnight.' His hand found the nub nestled in her nether curls.

He stroked.

She closed her eyes and gasped at the intimate invasion, but she was unable to fight it. His touch was exquisite, inviting her to take the pleasure he offered.

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In a few moments, he would let her soar. She was nearly there. Then suddenly he stopped.

Her eyes flew open in indignation. 'Paine, why did

'

you-?

'What was that you said about us waltzing?' Paine grumbled softly to her, shielding her long enough for his deft hands to adjust her

'I said it would jinx things,' Julia said, still confused as to the abrupt interruption in their interlude.

'Looks like you were right.' Paine shifted from his protective position enough to reveal their unwanted guest.

They were no longer alone.

stood

in the little entranceway to their hiding spot, having the decency to look uncomfortable.

Chapter Sixteen

Y o u were supposed to stay on the terrace,'

ground out once he recovered his senses.

'I am not a toddler in leading strings,' Paine retorted, pushing Julia behind him in a belated attempt to protect her modesty. 'What are you doing out here? Did Peyton send you to keep track of me?'

'I wish it were that simple.' Julia did not miss the import of the gaze

sent Paine.

Paine didn't miss it either. 'What's happened?'

held out a note. 'It's from your man, Flaherty.

Apparently, he found this so important that he came here and left it with a footman.'

Paine took the note and unfolded it, reading slowly.

'It's worse than we thought. Oswalt has indeed managed to have his name put forwards for a knighthood. It seems that he means to bankrupt your uncle's estate and then prop it up financially. Flaherty speculates that he might even ask to be given custody of the estate when he's

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awarded his knighthood. It's not an uncommon practice for bankrupt estates to be given over to a trustee for financial management. It's a long shot, but we should be prepared for it. The estate's only protection is its entailment. Still, in terms of custody, it might not be enough.'

Paine swore low under his breath. 'It's too audacious.

It's not chivalrous. I can't believe the crown would reward such blatant chicanery. He won't get away with it.'

'Yes, he will,' Julia said softly. The ramifications of the note were enormous. 'If he marries me, the request for guardianship will look benevolent. He can argue that he wants to manage the estate for me, with an eye to the future heirs. His guardianship keeps it in the family. No one will ever connect him to being the cause of my uncle's debts. On the surface, he'll look like an angel, having offered my uncle a fair settlement for me, and for tiding the family over during difficulties. It won't look like it's his fault the family continues to sink into bankruptcy.'

Julia fought the urge to sway. She grabbed on to Paine's arm. 'We have to tell my uncle. He must be warned about Oswalt's intentions.'

go

Paine promised.

'Correction,
we

go tomorrow,' Julia contradicted.

The garden had lost its magic, the glitter of the evening had paled against the reality facing them.

sensed it, too.

'We've accomplished enough for an evening.

tell

Peyton to send for the carriage. We can respectfully leave,'

he said quietly. 'I'll see you both inside in a few minutes.'