Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (79 page)

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my arms and comfort you.' Brandon's voice was raw with emotion. 'The guards told me to wait, that Witherspoon was inside already. Then I heard you scream. A thousand fears ran through my head. I swear I would have rammed that door down

'I know you would have,' she said quietly.

'You must have provoked him something fierce.'

'He provoked me. I didn't care for his suggestion that I was overdressed for our conversation.'

Brandon tensed and Nora knew she'd better watch her words before Brandon ended up facing Witherspoon at thirty paces.

'The bastard wanted you naked.' He grimaced.

'It didn't happen,' Nora said softly.

'I have to get you out of here,' Brandon said with frightening determination, casting a backwards glance up the staircase.

'There's going to be a trial. I came to tell you that the judge will be from Manchester, but the trial will be here. I am, in part, relieved that I won't be the magistrate hearing the case. Yet, I'd hoped I might be able to find a loophole to declare a mistrial.'

Nora shook her head violently. 'Listen to me, Brandon, you cannot risk such a blatant ploy.' She squeezed his hands to emphasise her point. 'Witherspoon suspects we have some type of licentious arrangement. The only thing that stands between us and his suspicions, frankly, is this blonde wig.'

'That's why we have to get you out of here, fast. We can't rely on that wig holding out for ever. I have an idea. Where do you get your sleeping powder? The one you used at St John's?'

Nora shook her head. 'Brandon, you cannot help me in any way. Witherspoon will ruin you. It will give him the last bit of proof he needs.'

'I will not be commanded in this, Nora. I will not let you hang while I can prevent it. You are my responsibility. You would not be here if you hadn't misunderstood Jack's remarks at the ball. I never meant for this to happen.'

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A guard coughed at the top of the stairs.

it's been

ten minutes.'

say when it's been ten minutes,' Brandon barked up the stairs. 'I need five minutes more to question the

'You cannot come again, Brandon. You owe me nothing. But I must tell you something,' Nora whispered. 'Witherspoon is deliberately sabotaging the mill for insurance fraud. I have the proof, stolen from his own safe. The papers are at the Grange beneath the squeaky step on the stairs. Get the papers.'

'That's why he wants to see you dead,' Brandon said.

Nora nodded. 'If the worst happens, and I am exposed as your betrothed, you can use the papers to bargain with Witherspoon and protect yourself.'

'I want to explain everything. I won't have you believing I was going to betray you, that I used our association to set you up. I will come again. I will see you free,' Brandon vowed.

She slipped her hands from his, although it her to do

it. He was all she had right now. Nora gave a wan smile. 'No, you won't.' Then she screamed, 'Get your hands off me!

Guards! Twice in one day-I swear I am not safe from these lecherous gentlemen.'

Brandon was saved. The papers were damning. She watched Brandon's back as he moved towards the door at the top of the stairs. Then it shut and she was alone in the darkness to wait for the inevitable. At least now she could wait with a clear conscience. It was a weight off her mind to know that the people she cared about mos t-Hattie and Alfred, and Brandon-were protected in case she couldn't protect herself.

Brandon was in a temper by the time he got home. He threw his stallion's reins to a groom and stomped into the house, bellowing for Jack.

'He's in the drawing room

the butler began, taking

Brandon's riding gloves.

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Brandon didn't wait to hear the rest of it. He was already on the way to the drawing room. He was halfway across the room before he realised Jack was with someone.

The woman turned and smiled, a misleadingly sweet smile if one knew her well enough to know. 'Jack has been telling me that I am just in time for a jail break and perhaps a wedding,'

she said in pleasant tones.

Brandon would recognise that voice and that countenance anywhere. It was like looking at himself in the mirror, only female. It was the first good thing that had happened in the last forty-eight hours. 'Hello, Dulci. I am glad you could make it.'

Dulcinea Wycroft patted the seat beside her. 'I know you wrote three weeks ago, but I had loose ends to clear up and you know how the roads are this time of year, all ruts and puddles.'

Brandon grinned at his sister. He didn't want to ask exactly what qualified as a 'loose end' these days. The last time it had been Viscount Glads tone's marriage proposal, which she had rejected in short order. Dulcinea might look like a living, genteel rendition of Snow White, but she did not act like it.

Dulcinea meant soft, calm. His sister was anything but placid.

Excepting Jack, there was no one he'd rather have with him.

Dulci tossed her raven-black hair and reached for a tea cup.

'Jack tells me a notorious cat burglar is masquerading as your intended. At your behest, I should add.'

'Jack talks too much.' Brandon threw Jack a scolding glance.

'He should be helping me think of a way to get her out.

erspoon nearly had his way with her today.'

'What stopped him?' Jack inquired.

'Her knee.'

'Ouch,' said Jack, crossing his legs uncomfortably.

'I like her already,' said Dulcinea,

pointedly at Jack,

daring him to respond.

Brandon intervened quickly. Dulci and Jack were for

their legendary battles of wit. 'I don't have time to play

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to your demonstrations of verbal prowess. We need to think about Nora.' He nodded to Jack.

'You were right, Witherspoon is setting up an insurance scam with the mill. Nora told me where to find the papers. She says I can use them for protection against Witherspoon if necessary. It's no wonder he was so eager to beg for my favour. He was betting on my reputation squelching any potential scandal.

No one would dare say an Earl committed such a heinous act.'