Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (169 page)

Scott

he heard about it. Apparently, Oswalt had acquired the property from a baron in a card game. Peyton felt it was wrong to attend an event at a place acquired in such a manner by such a person. But I didn't listen.

'In all honesty, I didn't fully understand the depth of depravity that would be on display there.' Paine waved a hand negligently. 'I thought it would be high-class prostitutes and a few wild moments in the dark. At that time, it seemed like a lark.'

He shook his head, trying to shake off the memories of the altar-like marble block set up in the ballroom, surrounded by candles and silken ropes, and of the young woman Oswalt had forcibly bound to the altar and then begun accepting bids for public congress with her.

Paine could not look at Julia or Beth, who helpfully kept her eyes on the knitting needles, as he spun his morbid tale. He'd thought it was a game at first, that the woman was a high-paid prostitute hired to play the role of sacrificial virgin. Although telling himself that did not make the spectacle any more palatable. Then it had become clear to him that the woman was not there of her own accord.

'I thought someone would speak up, someone close to Oswalt, who would carry some sway with Oswalt.

Surely all these men gathered wouldn't condone such an act. But no one did and the girl was clearly terrified.'

Paine swallowed hard here. 'I pushed my way through the crowd and demanded this activity be halted. I had stupidly

off my mask in my outrage and Oswalt

merely laughed at me. He said, "Or what? You'll tell

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

your brother, the earl?" Well, I was on the outs with Peyton, knowing he was displeased with my choice to attend in the first place and my pride was stung that Peyton had been right after all. I could not settle for such a remark that night. I threw down my glove and challenged him to a duel in front of everyone.'

'That's very noble of you,' Julia offered softly.

'No one else thought so. I wasn't the only nobleman or nobleman's son in the crowd that night. No one wanted breath of their attendance reaching the proper circles of high society. When it became known that the girl was the daughter of an unremarkable merchant, it was implicitly decided that the event simply didn't exist, it hadn't happened. No one ever spoke of it. No one acknowledged what I had seen. The event suddenly became nothing more than a squabble between me and Oswalt over a girl of questionable background, hence questionable virtue. The girl was ruined from the gossip and I was expendable as a third son whose brother had already inherited the title.'

'And the duel?' Julia asked, expectantly. At least she hadn't completely shunned him yet. That was a good sign.

'It happened. Almost. I was determined to see it through, even though I knew what had happened to the social understanding of the events. But either London society or Oswalt himself decided that the duel would not take place. Suffice it to say, someone tipped off the authorities.'

shrugged. 'You know the penalty for duelling.'

'Exile,' Julia supplied. 'But what happened to Oswalt?'

'Nothing. I think he bargained with the authorities to

Scott

overlook his participation in the duel. When the authorities showed up, Oswalt pressed for exile as my punishment. The outcome was decided so swiftly, Peyton could do nothing in time to intervene. He had left a few days prior to attend business at an estate not too far from London. But it was far enough away that he didn't get the news in a timely fashion.' Paine shrugged. 'Not that I would have wanted his assistance. I was too stubborn then.'

'Just then?' Julia teased.

'Vixen.' Paine smiled. 'That's the story. I think Oswalt feared what would happen if I stayed in London and had a chance to rally support and re-introduce the issue, so I had to be sent away.'

'That's awful.' Julia sighed, worry shading her eyes.

'It's the truth. I want you to know that this incident with your uncle and Oswalt is not an isolated occurrence. The man has been ruining peers, quietly and subtly, for years. He's been preying on innocent girls for much longer than that.'

'I can't believe no one has done anything about it.'

Julia shook her head in disbelief.

'That's society's way. If we talk about it, it gives the problem validity. If it's ignored, then it must not exist.'

Paine spread his hands on his thighs. 'But it's not my way, Julia. That's why I want to help you.'

Julia smiled at him gamely. 'And that's why let

you help.'

'Let me, is it?'

'Yes, let you.'