Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (100 page)

's Seduction

"Aren't we?"

andro queried.

"We're not wealthy like Don Alicante, whose villa is up in the hills above the town. But it's true, we're better off than most. No one else can claim as much land as we have, and there are those that envy us that..

Elena disengaged her

hand and walked to one of the six pews in the chapel.

She pleated the fabric of her skirt and Alejandro could tell something worried her.

"What is it, Elena? Is it money? Is there something you haven't told me?"

yes. In a way," Elena said incoherently.

Her large dark eyes found his and held his gaze.

I need to tell you about Don

Alicante," she began slowly.

Alejandro felt fear grip his belly. Oh God, she was going to tell him she'd taken a lover while he'd been missing. Or worse, that she'd fallen in love with the rich don

the hills. It was all

understandable-she was here alone and thinking he was likely dead. He could not blame her entirely. He'd given her no reason to think otherwise.

when your ship was lost and no

survivors were found, Don Alicante came to me and offered to buy the pazo. When I he

nasty. He said that since the pazo belonged

Scott

to you and not to me, it was not legally mine, not even in the case of your death. I begged for a year of grace from him, saying that we had no that you were dead."

andro

nodded,

his

sanity

slowly

Don Alicante was not her lover, but her enemy. His fear was now replaced by a primal Someone had dared to threaten his wife. He saw Don Alicante's plan quite clearly. "Bastard!"

Alejandro swore, pacing the length of the altar.

"He was going to throw you out of your own home?"

Elena bit her lip. "Unless I married him. He was determined to have this land either way. It's much better for

than his hills."

Alejandro was filled with rage now. "When was the year up.

"In four weeks. . . Elena said nervously. "But now that you're home, you have thwarted his scheme," she said quickly. "I've already had a messenger from him. He's coming to meet you tomorrow. I suppose he's coming to assure himself that you are really you."

"I will handle him. He will not bother us again.

make my position very clear,"

Alejandro all but growled. The man would be he'd ever tried to coerce the wife of andro di Duero.

's Seduction

"I haven't told anyone about your lack of memories. I didn't think it wise, knowing how angry Don Alicante will be. He'll want to test you."

andro held out his hand and pulled Elena to her feet, drawing her close enough to kiss. He could feel the tension in her start to ease. "This is what we will do. We'll get a picnic lunch the

kitchens and we will eat lunch under a big tree and you'll tell me everything I need to who my

are, how

recognize them.

What I like, what I don't like. You'll see, by tomorrow,

be entirely myself-with your help,

of course."

bent to kiss her, gathering her

against him. It was a kiss of sweetness, tenderness, and

he continued to hold

her close. "Elena, here in the sanctity of the chapel, I pledge to you that I will never leave you, that I will keep you safe with all the means at my disposal, with my very body if needed. I am home and you will never need to fear again." He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on her

"Do you believe

"Yes, I believe you," Elena whispered, her eyes glistening with tears.

Chapter 12

They were as ready as they'd ever be to face Don Alicante, Elena concluded slightly before three o'clock the next

She stood in

of

the long mirror and gave a final pat to the deep maroon skirt of her best receiving gown, a tailored merino wool trimmed at the neck and wrists with a dainty cotton lace made in the village.

lounged on the bed behind her, less

of his clothing than she. "You look lovely.

That color is very becoming on you," he offered.

The bed

and he came up

behind her, his hands warm and strong on her shoulders. He bent his lips to her neck and kissed her. "I would enjoy taking this dress off you, querida, if we didn't have other matters demanding our attention,"

andro whispered

huskily. His gaze found hers in the mirror.

Elena's breath caught. His masculine beauty was breathtaking. The set of his jaw implied strength. His gray-silver eyes were windows to a