Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (110 page)

's Seduction

someone to hate. And there was no reason not to.

She'd blatantly deceived him. She'd told him he was someone else when she'd known otherwise.

Elena gathered her courage and took a seat on the sofa. The men occupied each of the chairs.

"Shall I pour out?" she offered although tea was probably the last thing on any of their minds.

Flaherty wanted a cup, but

his head, his eyes flat and hard when he looked at her. She was glad to have something to do. She fussed over

cup

of tea and decided to fix herself one too although she had no plans to drink it.

Flaherty took the cup and saucer and sipped.

He turned to

"I am told you had no

recollections

the accident with the ship."

Grayson's voice was flat. "I didn't know my own name, my home, or even what I had been doing on the ship."

The handle of Elena's tea cup snapped and the cup fell, shattering on the table, hot liquid spilling over her hands. She heard the confused condemnation in his voice. She'd known more than she'd told him, his voice accused.

sob escaped her lips and she pressed her hand to her mouth. Of course she had known it would come to this. But a silly part of her had hoped that their love would be enough-that even

Bronwyn Scott

if he realized he wasn't Alejandro he would still love her anyway. The reality was far more devastating than she'd ever thought possible.

Flaherty passed her a napkin, looking uncomfortably between her and

"I am

to distress you, ma'am." He drew out a sealed letter. "This is a letter of introduction the Earl of Dursley, Peyton

on behalf of

his brother, Paine. He vouches for who I am and my mission. Paine

has charged me with

the job of ascertaining the life or death of a Gray son Prentiss in association with the missing ship, the Bluehawk."

He passed the document to

Elena

sucked in her breath, trying to control her sobs.

All of her worst nightmares were coming true.

was someone important.

earl
was

looking for him.

"I do not know the earl of Dursley,"

Grayson's voice carried an edge.

Flaherty gave a short laugh. "I should have thought of that. So much has happened since you left. Miss Julia Prentiss is being courted by Dursley's youngest brother, Paine. As a token of his affections, he wants to give her peace of mind.

She's been

worried about you."

Flaherty

awkwardly in his seat.

think

worries about what to do with Miss

's Seduction

Prentiss's family in your absence. Their financial situation is quite precarious, as I am sure you know."

nodded. "I was to bring back the cargo that would save us."

His eyes sparked momentarily. Even now, when he'd been delivered such personally devastating news, he was thinking of others. What would the family do without his cargo? What could he do to alleviate their debt? The man she'd claimed as a husband was noble to a fault.

Apparently Flaherty read his thoughts too.

is a good man. He'll not let Julia

suffer or the family. He may not like them, but he loves her to distraction."

nodded and was silent for a moment.

"So, I am to return with you?" he asked.

"Yes, that would be best." Flaherty hazarded a look in her direction. "Unless, you'd rather send a letter explaining your circumstances," he amended quickly.

Flaherty rose, clearly eager to be away the tension rising in the room.

leave you to

sort out your details.

take a room at the

"No!" Elena and

said at the same

time.

shot her a quelling look.