Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (94 page)

's Seduction

was still alive. "The villagers will think your return nothing short of a divine miracle."

huffed at that. "They'll want to know why it took me so long.

man does not

willingly forsake a

wife without a word

to anyone." He reached for her hand across the table, startling her with the gesture. Elena scolded herself. She had to remember she had a part to play too.

wife would not jump at such a gesture.

"Do you love me, Elena?"

"I have waited all year in hopes of your return." Again, it was the truth-his was

the only way she had to stop Don Alicante. Life with

's indifference could be

She'd already proved that. She doubted she could say the same for a life lived under Don Alicante's harsh

He was studying her with intense gray eyes.

Elena swallowed hard, her fears and something else-something

and exciting, welling up

inside her.

"That proves you're

Do you love

me?" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

The morning, with all its light, had never seemed as intimate to her as it did now.

"Why do you ask?" Elena parried.

"I think we are perhaps estranged, that maybe things were not as right between us as they should

Scott

have been when I

There are no signs of my

clothing or personal effects in your room. With the exception of last night, I don't think we shared a chamber."

"You have your own chamber. I can show you." Elena tried to rise, glad for something to do.

When he didn't release her hand, she was forced to sit back down.

"I can see it later. I am more concerned with my relationship with my wife at the present." He caressed her hand, his gaze intent on her fingers.

"She jumps at my merest touch. I regret that I don't recall you or the state of our marriage. If I did, I would know what amends I need to make.

For I am certain I would not have had a marriage that involved separate beds or any kind of hesitation between husband and wife."

In that moment, she was sure of it too. The hard set of jaw, the unbridled power of his physique shouted that this was not a man who failed at anything he did.

Alejandro stood up and Elena rose with him, conscious of the presence of his hand in hers. He moved around the little table and drew her to him, his eyes glistening with a wolfish, feral danger that made Elena's pulse race in anticipation.

Anticipation of what? With sudden realization,

's Seduction

she knew. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to do more than kiss her.

Her eyes must have betrayed her desires.

triumphant smile flicked across his lips before his mouth captured hers. He held her full against him with one hand at the back of her head, guiding and caressing, until she was

with the

sensation of a kiss that was both gentle and primal in its message. She could feel the power of his erection through the thin sheet.

He was hungry for her. His other hand found one of her breasts. He slid his open palm over her nipple where it rested beneath the fabric of her blouse. Elena heard herself moan at the exquisite his touch and the fabric created. She wanted to be naked with him, wanted to make love with him in a way entirely foreign to the relationship she'd had with

andro.

He felt it too and he pulled back, desire plainly evident in his eyes. "It may be that I did not leave you on the best of terms, but clearly, it was not always that way between us. Tonight, I will come to you and we will begin to make our marriage whole again. I want everyone to know that

di Duero is home and he claims his

wife fully."

Chapter 8

He'd unnerved her. There was no doubting it, Alejandro mused hours later, sitting in the chambers that apparently belonged to him.

Looking over his personal things had not helped him recall anything specific. But it had helped him understand and re-learn certain things about himself.

His affects supported the idea that he was a man of comfortable wealth, at least by standards. There were several outfits of clothing in the large, carved wardrobe that stood in a comer of the chamber. Among his practical clothes designed for riding and everyday wear were a couple of fine suits for more