Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (142 page)

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Paine most definitely wanted to have a hand in that alibi if he could manage it. Julia's situation demanded concentration if one was to avoid a scandalous misstep.

It could not be left to an amateur.

So far, his luck was holding. The uncle hadn't raised the hue and cry. But his silence wouldn't last long. Even if the uncle didn't say anything, people would be asking for Julia. Like any busy debutante, she was no doubt committed to events ahead of time. When she didn't appear at the places she was expected, people would miss her and her uncle would have to explain. Paine wanted an alibi in place before that happened.

As much as Paine wanted to pay Uncle Barnaby a visit, Paine worried that Oswalt's hold on the man would be too strong for the keeping of any secrets. The last thing he needed was to face Oswalt's henchmen in an unequal fight. It was a daunting reality to acknowledge that he was literally the only person standing between Julia and Oswalt. If he fell, Julia would be entirely at the man's mercy.

Flaherty affirmed his misgivings. 'No, the uncle is under too much pressure. He sees Oswalt as his only way out from under the burden of his debt. Already, Oswalt is bargaining for the girl's return. He says he'll marry her anyway if she's found, but he'll pay less than the originally promised sum. If she doesn't reappear, he is seeking a return of the funds he's already advanced.'

Paine's eye brows perked at the mention of a new deal brewing between the uncle and Oswalt, his brain quickly to assimilate the new details. 'Is there

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a chance the uncle can pay?' He didn't believe there would be, but he had to be certain.

'I don't think so.' Flaherty rummaged through a battered black bag at his side and pulled out a sheaf of papers. 'Here's what I managed to get from the uncle's solicitor.'

Paine took the sheaf and whistled. 'Your skills never cease to amaze, Flaherty. I don't want to know how you managed this.' He quickly scanned the documents, records of the uncle's latest finances.

The outlook was dismal, but not unexpected.

Viscount Lockhart's pockets were to let except for the ship that Julia had mentioned. If Julia didn't return, the family's collapse would be immediate. The ship's cargo, should it return, would be used to pay back what the family owed Oswalt. There would be nothing left over.

If Julia returned, there was no telling how far the reduced sum would go in alleviating the family's financial concerns. Paine wagered it wouldn't go far enough.

Oswalt wanted something that the viscount's financial viability blocked.

'Help me think, Flaherty.' Paine drummed his fingers on the desk. 'Why would Oswalt go to all this trouble to ruin a man who is already on the brink of it? He's deliberately pushing

over the edge. He's singled

out for a reason.' Paine rubbed at his brow, gathering his thoughts. 'Flaherty, look into Oswalt's business dealings and, while you're at it, find out what cargo Lockhart's ship is carrying. There might be something telling in that. Let me know when you have news.'

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Paine had a feeling that marriage to Julia was merely part of a larger plan Oswalt had set in motion. She was one of many steps-a critical step at that if the amount of manpower behind his search for her was any indicator-but Paine had no idea what that larger game might be, only a feeling that if Julia wasn't found, Oswalt's game might be hampered. Oswalt was a man who didn't like to be thwarted. It made him an exceedingly dangerous opponent. If Oswalt felt cornered, he would become more volatile. On the other hand, he might also become more desperate and that could work in Paine's favor.

He would also send an anonymous note to Uncle Barnaby, letting him know Julia was safe and that he should give out the story she was tending a sick relative in the country if he wanted to minimise scandal. He wanted to do more, but under the circumstances, the meagre effort would have to be enough.

There was nothing to do now but reassure and wait.

He would reassure Julia that he'd taken some short-term steps to alleviate her uncle's worry and to pre-empt the potential scandal. Regardless of his thoughts on the worm her uncle was, Julia obviously regarded him in a more friendly light. And he would wait; wait for the responses to the letters he'd sent out; wait for news regarding Oswalt's pursuits. Then there would come a time of action.

Between now and then, he would skin the young bucks waiting for him at the faro table and teach Julia to gamble. The thought of the last brought a lingering smile to his face.

Chapter

I ' m ready,' Julia said with a touch of uncertainty at the top of the stairs. She nervously smoothed the skirts of the deep rose evening gown Madame Broussard had delivered earlier in the day. The gown was of the first stare of fashion, far beyond any of the pale, virginal gowns in her

wardrobe at home. There was no dis-

puting the quality of the gown with its exquisite tailoring and stitching.

'How do I look?' She moved slowly down the stairs, highly conscious of the plunging neckline and the way the gown clung to her silhouette. Perhaps the colour was too bold after all? She would never have dared such a bold colour either. She suspected only Paine would

have the audacity to pair the rose with a cinnamon-haired girl and carry it off. She had to admit the shade Paine had chosen complemented her hair rather than clashed. Not that it made any difference tonight. Her auburn tresses were securely tucked up under a black-haired wig.

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Julia reached the bottom of the staircase and gingerly touched a gloved

to her head to check her wig one

more time. 'Say something, Paine. Do I look all right?' But she already had her answer. Apparently the gown achieved its desired effect if

intent gaze was

indicator.

His eyes were hot; the wolfish smile spreading across his lips were approval enough. There was a certain thrill in earning the approval of a man like Paine He didn't have to say anything. She knew with her budding woman's intuition that he liked what he that he desired her.