Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (205 page)

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known for his collection of rare gems. This new Europe has proven to be quite

in expanding

his collection, I hear."

Julian nodded. He knew precisely what St.

Just was referring to. Many valuable items had gone missing in the political shake-ups since Europe was released from Napoleon's grip. Small kingdoms had been eaten up by new borders, old kingdoms had been absorbed into larger nations.

Other principalities had suffered internal revolts and monarchs had fled their

fearing a

similar outcome to the one in France. It was a perfect time for looting unprotected treasuries.

Anyone with knowledge of those treasuries and skill in discreet removals would thrive.

Julian's own presence in Vienna was for that very reason. The Count di Brazzo was also such an individual. All reports indicated di Brazzo was without scruples and selfish to the core; a mean man all around. It did not sit well with Julian to know that Sophie

with her sunlight

laughter and zest for life, did business with that sort of man. For that matter, he didn't like the idea that she was in that sort of business at all.

56

Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss

"I'm sorry if I've

the image of your

golden angel," St. Just remarked on prolonged silence.

Julian shook his head. "I knew before this that she was not all she seemed. But that doesn't help me make any more sense out of why she'd be involved in such a scheme. I have to figure out where she'll be tonight.

go back for the fakes

when she goes out." Julian rose.

St. Just rose with him. "That shouldn't be too hard to do. Just ask yourself where you would be if you were her."

parting comment caused Julian to

maintain a quick pace home to his rooms in the Belvedere Quarter. If he was

those diamonds

and he knew where they were, he'd simply go get them. When someone took what was yours, you were obliged to take it back, and Sophie had every right to feel the need for vindication.

It wasn't only that he wanted to protect the diamonds. If she took them, he'd steal them her again. He was more

about

protecting her

herself. She was in more

danger in possession of the diamonds than she realized. Julian wouldn't put it past the count to her

she produced the diamonds.

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man like di Brazzo was

The count

wouldn't let Sophie live and risk her spreading the story of her heist.

Julian picked up his pace. If he didn't get to Sophie first, she was as good as dead. That prospect sat quite poorly with him for reasons he'd rather not examine for fear of the answer: years of

bedroom pursuits with no

meaning, he 'd finally fallen irrevocably and completely in love in the most unorthodox way with a most unsuitable woman for a man of his station-the brother of an earl.

Chapter 7

Sophie surveyed the large, airy rooms belonging to Julian Burke with a growing amount of The man had very little

in

these rooms and that meant he'd been creative in where he'd hidden the diamonds. She didn't have time for 'creative.' She'd sweetly cajoled the landlady, who was much nicer and blinder than her own, into letting her in, and she wanted to be long gone before the landlady told Julian she'd been here.

She needed the diamonds desperately. Count di Brazzo's messenger had returned late in the afternoon with a response.

Brazzo would be

glad to meet with her in the morning and collect the diamonds. He would bring the reward money with him.

Sophie's eyes ran over the painted blue walls decorated with gilt-trimmed panels in the Baroque style. These were expensive rooms. But then the

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59

Belvedere Quarter was an expensive part of town to live in. The quarter was built around the borders of Belvedere Palace, and several nobles wanting the status of living close to the royal family had made homes here in the previous The current archduke didn't live at Belvedere but the coterie of ambassadors sent to Vienna by their nations found the old homes of nobles excellent residences for conducting their business and entertaining on a grand scale.

her as a man who desired the

best. Finding that he lived in such exalted quarters did not surprise her. Discovering that he possessed little else beyond the elegant address did. The walls were empty of pictures that might hide a safe. The drawers of his

desk

had turned up nothing. There'd been no sign of false bottoms in the drawers. She only had the bedroom left to check and she didn't hold out much hope. She'd seen the bedroom on her initial walk through his lodgings. It held only a bed and a bureau. The little dressing room off the bedroom held strictly clothing.

Sophie started with the

She opened

the top drawer and was immediately assailed by the smell of him. The spicy scent she'd come to