Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (186 page)

260

Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

worst. I didn't understand just how

he was until

recently. What he planned to do to your young lady and what he

to do to her family wasn't right. They'd done nothing wrong, they were just vulnerable, and I don't hold any truck with preying on the weak. It was different before when it was those who deserved to be swindled out of a few pounds.'

Paine wasn't sure he completely agreed with Sam Brown's entire code of ethics, but he was grateful the man had seen fit to act on his behalf.

'All I ask is that I be allowed to disappear, go make another life somewhere, an honest life. I've tired of this one,' Sam Brown asked humbly.

'Absolutely, after one more duty,' Paine agreed. 'We still need to get out of the house. We have horses waiting. Ensure our safety.'

Dressed once more in their hoods, and with Julia between them, Sam Brown escorted the brothers to the edge of the property without mishap, stopping only once to explain to guards that they were escorting the long-awaited bride.

They mounted up on their horses, Julia riding in front of Paine. 'What will you do now?' Paine asked Sam Brown.

go back to the house and tell the guards to disperse the crowd, that Oswalt has died.'

Paine threw the man a leather purse. 'This is to thank you for your silence.' He wouldn't suggest this was to buy the man's silence, that was too risky. He didn't want the man to think he could set up a lucrative blackmail

Scott

scheme in the future, no matter how reformed he thought he was. But he did realise the man could tell everyone that the bride had escaped, rescued by the brothers. That would cause a riot of scandal if it ever got out. It would only take one brash braggart admitting to being there for everything to become well known.

Peyton seemed to realise it as well. 'There's a ship I know of leaving for America.

man who works hard

can make a good life there. I'll arrange for your passage.

It sails at dawn with the tide.'

Negotiations were complete. There was just one more negotiation Paine had to manage and that was with Julia. It took all his will power not to blurt out his proposal and rush her off to a vicar immediately before further time passed. He would wait until her mind was at ease. She'd endured too much in one day to fully appreciate his proposal. The last thing he needed was for her to feel he was offering out of a sense of obligation or pity. When he proposed, he wanted her to it was

out of the only thing that mattered-his love.

Chapter
Nineteen

T h e family held their collective breath for the next three days. Sam Brown had boarded the boat to America and they waited to see if

hint of scandal regarding

the odd doings in Richmond circulated the
ton.
In spite of Julia's ordeal, Aunt Lily insisted the family make a showing at one fashionable gathering each night. She argued that nothing would set tongues wagging faster than being absent from events three nights in a row during the height of the Season.

It was a compelling argument, especially since they'd made such a showing once the Season had hit full stride.

They couldn't let those newly established inroads go to waste. Paine admired Julia's strength. Each night, she donned a new gown, looking more beautiful every time.

She smiled and she danced, keeping up a happy front.

If anyone inquired about the

ship, she simply

said, 'We have no

that the ship

or that

Scott

there were no survivors. Until we do, I prefer not to believe the worst.'

She told the truth, as best as they knew it. The day after their return from Richmond, Paine had paid a visit to the viscount, encouraging him not to announce the loss of the ship until it was a certainty.

He wasn't afraid to admit he had sound reasons and selfish reasons for it. He'd sent Flaherty to search out any truth to Oswalt's announcement. Flaherty had found nothing substantially reliable to bolster the There had been some trouble off the coast of Spain.

Other sailors reported a heavy storm, but no one could agree on whether or not the

had been affected.

Selfishly, Paine didn't want another obstacle put in his path when it came to marrying Julia. mourning period would have to follow if Gray was announced dead. That could very likely come to pass, but he wanted Julia firmly wedded to him before that happened. He'd gladly spend six months quietly living outside of Society's eye tucked away with Julia. But he doubted he'd survive another six months unable to claim her. The viscount had been happy to follow Paine's lead. Recent events had upended him completely and destroyed his desire to take any action.

Aunt Lily's insistence bore better results than anticipated. Not only was the
ton
pleased to welcome back brother, but requests for business assistance came flooding in in response to many of the letters Paine had sent out a few weeks prior and through the connections he'd established at the gatherings. There was even talk of Paine heading up an investment group