Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (189 page)

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

the same reflection she saw in the mirror when she looked at her own. She had never guessed such happiness was possible. It seemed a far cry from the darkness of Oswalt's proposal.

The only minor crimp in her bliss was that her aunt and uncle were not here to share it with her. Although Paine had taken charge of her uncle's finances and seen the family through the financial aspect of their crisis, no amount of money could compensate them for the loss of Gray. While there was still no confirmation of a body, the Lockharts had given up hope that Gray was still alive at this late date and had retreated to the country to mourn in private.

Still, looking around her, Julia felt she had a new family now in Aunt Lily, Peyton and

men who

Gray would have liked immensely as brothers-in-law.

They were talking with Lily and Beth when tapped Paine on the shoulder. 'Excuse me, but there's someone at the door. I need you and Julia to come with Paine and Julia followed

to the door where

Peyton already stood waiting. 'Julia, this man says he knows you.' Peyton stepped aside to reveal the late-come guest.

He was dressed in worn clothes hardly befitting the heir of a viscount, but Julia recognised him immediately.

hand flew to her mouth and she clutched Paine's arm to steady herself, hardly daring to believe the sight before her.

'Gray! You're alive. How?' The shock of seeing

Scott

him was so overwhelming she couldn't organise her thoughts into any coherent pattern.

Paine laughed softly at her surprise and urged her forwards. 'Go to him, Julia. See for yourself that he's not an apparition.'

Julia needed no further prodding. She flung herself into Gray's arms. 'I

believe you're safe after all

this time.' She stepped back to look at him and then hugged him again, unable to decide if she wanted to hug him or look at him, to see that he was all right.

'You're here, you're really here. You're not dead!'

Gray hugged her tightly. 'I am really alive, although it was close. Thanks to

and Dursley here, I

have returned home.'

'Oh my goodness, your parents, your brothers are going to be so thrilled. You don't know what this will mean to them!' Julia's happiness over seeing Gray ebbed a bit and she lowered her voice. 'They aren't here, you know. They're in the country, mourning The look on Gray's face was grim, too. 'I rather suspect they will mourn me when I get done with them.

I

believe what they attempted to force you into, my dear cousin.'

Julia cast a glance back at Paine. 'It's all in the past, Gray, and it's brought me this wonderful man. He's taken care of me and the family.' She motioned to Paine.

'Paine, come and meet my cousin, and, Cousin Gray, meet my husband. Then we must talk. You must have so much to tell.' She was still giddy with the surprise of seeing him.

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

'There is, but I have it on good authority that the most exciting tale to tell is yours and I want to hear all of it.

I came to celebrate with you the moment I stepped foot in London. My story can wait.'

'All tales can wait until you've had a chance to change.

Come with me,' Peyton offered, 'I am sure there's some clothing upstairs that you can make do with.'