Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (58 page)

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Pickpocket Countess

Brandon rolled his eyes at that. 'By doing what? Robbing my neighbors? You most certainly will not. A wardrobe will not beggar me.'

Nora furrowed her brow, perplexed. 'But you need spoon's money. You're

Brandon gave a friendly chuckle. 'Hardly. Poor is a bit over the top. My pockets aren't to let. But it is getting more difficult each year to keep the estates functional. My estates generate enough to support repairs to the tenants' cottages, to buy seed and farming implements for the fields, but there's less and less profit for expansion and other expenses. I fear it will only be a few more years before the tenants will be forced to look elsewhere for their livelihoods. Aristocracy is an expensive career. The agricultural economy hasn't helped.'

Nora saw the pieces fit together at once. 'The mill is your plan for financial security.'

Brandon nodded. 'It's at the foundation of it, the first building block. I need the investors' money to build for the future of Stockport-on-the-Medlock. I can't build that future alone. My pockets aren't that deep.'

Nora felt sick. Her plans would

more than his credibil-

ity. A few weeks past, such ironic justice would have suited her perfectly. Now,

at the man across from her, she could barely stomach the thought of all she'd be responsible for. She had to cut ties here before she was too emotionally involved to see reason.

'None the less, Brandon, I am not comfortable being a kept woman,' Nora said slowly. 'Even if you were the richest man in England, I would be reluctant to accept the wardrobe you've lavished on me these past few days.'

'My intended needs the appropriate clothing. No one would believe I was to marry a woman of dubious fashion.'

'I will pay for the gowns,' Nora insisted.

Brandon took her hands in his, squeezing them in

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surance. 'You talk too much. Maybe

get my money's worth

out of the gowns. After your two weeks are up, you might decide to stay.'

Nora sighed. 'I am not free to marry and I won't be your mistress

'If he were dead, you would have a choice,' Brandon said softly.

Nora drew back. 'What have you done, Brandon? You will not commit murder on my behalf.'

Brandon laughed. 'Nothing that bad, Nora. Did you imagine I sent thugs to

your errant husband?' He sobered. 'I did send my friend Jack, Viscount Wainsbridge, though. If Reggie is still of this world, Jack will find him.'

Brandon slipped a hand behind her neck, sifting her hair through his fingers and drawing her close for a deep

'Until

then, we have two weeks to ourselves to wait and see and enjoy.

Promise me, two weeks, Nora. The Cat can take a holiday,' he whispered against her neck.

'I promise,' Nora replied softly. But it was already a broken promise. She still had the haul from St John's to pawn for cash and get to Mary

Brandon

her again and Nora

felt a twinge of guilt. He couldn't see the fingers she crossed behind her back.

Sixteen

Brandon took off his glasses and stretched back in his leather chair behind the desk. He had been poring over the latest dispatches from London. Even though Parliament was out until spring, dedicated politicos like Earl Russell were still hard at work, trying to lobby support for the Reform Act which would be the focus of the spring session.

Brandon used his break from paperwork to study the beautiful woman sitting demurely in the wing-backed chair near the fire, her neck bent slightly forward as she read a slim volume of poetry, a silver tray containing hot fudge and strawberries next to her elbow. Nora.

After nearly a week of her constant presence, he still couldn't believe his good fortune. She had stayed. She had admitted she cared for him; so much that she would throw away the passion they shared together in order to protect him.

It was the partnership he craved, the knowledge that he was not alone. He had found the one person who could bring him the solace his soul demanded, not just in the dark watches of the night but in all aspects of his daily life, from the mundane to the more extraordinary.

Never had his heart been so committed. He could not resist her.

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