Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (158 page)

'No, it's an old hat of your Cousin Beth's. Do you like it?' Julia did a pirouette.

'Absolutely not. It's awful, just awful!' There was laughter in his voice. 'Peyton needs to give Cousin Beth more pin money if she's been reduced to such a travesty.'

Paine held out his hand. 'Here, take my hand. I don't trust you can see the path plainly with that thing on.' He kept her hand gripped in his own. With his other hand he swept up the hamper and led the way to a shady spot. Julia was thankful for the strength of his hand. She would have tripped without him to steady her on several occasions. The terrain was uneven and awkward to traverse in Beth's slightly too-long skirts and slightly too-big shoes. Still, Julia was grateful for Paine's cousin's generosity. Otherwise, she would have been tramping the countryside in a torn silk evening gown.

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'We're here,' Paine exclaimed at last, dropping the hamper and blanket.

Julia looked about her, trying to grasp what 'here' was.

a deep breath and just listen,'

coaxed softly.

Julia did as instructed, the allure of the place becoming immediately apparent. The scent of summer wafted gently from the fields behind them, the sound of a nearby creek mixed with the errant

of meadow birds filled the air.

She didn't have to open her eyes to know it was summer.

'We can pick strawberries later.' Paine grinned and pointed to a patch. He spread the blanket. He sat down and began to tug off his boots.

'What are you doing?' Julia asked.

Paine chuckled. 'Getting comfortable. Sit down, Julia. Take off your shoes. We can be ourselves.'

His good humour was infectious. Julia plopped down and took off her shoes. 'I think your sutras would like this place. The site appeals to all the senses.'

'You're a quick learner.' Paine said, stretching out beside her. 'Although I think the sutras would prefer fine furnishings and music to our ragged blanket and chirping birds.'

'I

our setting. It's simple,' Julia said, casting a coy glance sideways at Paine. She would have to store up all the images of him she could. She would have to share him with his brothers, and then with society, if their plan were to succeed. And that success would be the end of their association. She'd once thought it would be a facile trick to walk away from him. But she'd never dreamed a man like him existed.

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

Julia tossed her shoes aside and reached for her stockings. Paine's hand stopped her before she could roll them down.

'As I recall, you like to have me do this for you,' Paine whispered

his eyes glinting with mischief. His

hands reached up beneath her

her

hidden curls as he grasped the top of each stocking.

Julia bit her lip against the sensual play. She knew she was damp when he reached for the second stocking.

It was embarrassing to note how wanton she was with him. 'Paine . . . ' she began uncertainly. 'We're outdoors.'

'On the contrary, nature is the perfect place for this.

The sutras suggest that male and female take inspiration from nature for inventing their own love-play,' Paine whispered in his low, seductive tone. He pushed back an errant strand of hair from her face. 'There are several positions named for animals: the mare, the elephant, the blow of the boar, sporting of the sparrow. The list is quite extensive.'

Julia blushed furiously. 'You have the most scandalous conversation of anyone I've ever met.'

'Hush, Julia.' Paine rose up over her, turning his attention to her face. His hands crept to the bow that secured her hat. 'We'll have to get rid of this monstrosity.' He untied the hat and tossed it aside. 'It's far too hard to kiss you with this thing on.' He kissed her hard on the mouth, easing her gently back on to the blanket, his body covering her. 'That's known as the "kiss that He nuzzled the side of her neck. 'What shall we try today?'

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Julia struggled a bit, pushing him away long enough to speak. 'You don7 t have to do this, Paine. You've held up your end of the bargain. I am thoroughly ruined. You don't have to continue your instruction.' Indeed, she didn't want him to, not if that was all it was-lessons conducted much in the fashion that one might receive a piano lesson.

'I thought you liked my "instruction".' Paine reared back slightly.

'I do,' Julia stammered. How could she explain she didn't want to be the student, but a partner, an equal, without driving him away? Such an implication would send Paine fleeing, validating everything he believed about virginal debutantes and their obsessive goal to capture a husband.

sorry. I was cow-handed in my approach a moment ago,' Paine said, his gaze studying her, no doubt seeing more than she wanted him to see. 'I want to do this and you want this,

Julia felt her face burn, knowing he had not overlooked the effect of his hands on her legs, knowing he had proof that his actions had aroused her. She returned his gaze, seeing in his eyes the rise of his desire. It was enough to convince her he understood her dilemma.

There was something else in his gaze, she couldn't

name-perhaps a desperation that had clawed its way to the surface. But she couldn't imagine what a man like Paine

had to be desperate about. He bent over her, taking her mouth in a long, searching until her

body gave him compliance.