Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (232 page)

a gentle-

man's touch on the dance floor or helping her in and out of carriages.
Nothing at all to compare with
Valerian 's very public seduction.

Scott

Lucien's kisses were preludes to nothing. They inspired no wish to lose control, to cross over the boundaries of propriety. Valerian's

lit a raging

fire in her, forced her to abandon her grip on control.

Valerian's kisses were an invitation to decadence.

The very thought of Valerian's audacious assumptions brought colour to her wind-whipped cheeks.

Lucien was right. Valerian made no secret of his sensual habits. The differences between the two men could not be more clearly illustrated if she drew a line in the dirt. On one side there was Lucien with his icy good looks and restrained passions to match his rigid sense of honour. On the other, there was Valerian, all devil-dark hair and hot eyes, flouting honour and convention at every turn. If the disparities were so obvious, why did she hesitate?

The answer gnawed at her. She was no longer sure Lucien7s companionship would be enough for either of them. She was hard pressed to believe Lucien was happy with the dry affection that passed between them. Certainly, he must wish for more. Surely there must be another reason why he'd forgo physical pleasure. She wished she knew what he'd gain to make the sacrifice worthwhile. She could understand if he openly declared he needed to marry for money.

But she did not appreciate hidden motivations. They were usually dark and dangerous and wrapped in lies.

Valerian leaned on his cue stick in the billiards room, pretending to watch Beldon take a shot. In reality, his gaze was fixed on a point just beyond Beldon's shoulder, through the window.

66

The Viscount Claims His Bride

was walking in the garden, alone. He'd been disappointed to learn she and Canton were

break-

fast privately when he'd come downstairs late in the morning. He could imagine what they'd talked about.

Canton was none too pleased with him.

Beldon cleared his throat. 'Val, it's your turn.'

'So it is,' Valerian

but his interest in the

game had waned. 'Beldon, would you mind if we finished our game later? I suddenly remember some pressing business I need to see to.'

Valerian didn't stay long enough to let Beldon quiz him on his sudden business. He slowed his pace only when he neared Philippa. It wouldn't do to appear the over-eager swain. She needn't know he'd interrupted his billiards game to rush after her the moment he'd glimpsed her.

She looked lovely, her

high and her hair

less than perfect from the wind. Desire surged in him, raw and elemental like the weather. She turned and spotted him at the gate.

'Nice day for a walk,' Valerian

drily,

striding towards her.

'I found the house a bit stifling,'

said

shortly, bending to study a dormant plant.

'The house or our Mr Canton?' Valerian pried shamelessly. 'I heard the two of you were closeted together over breakfast. I hope he wasn't angry about last night.' The last was a lie.

'You are too bold, St Just.'

straightened,

her eyes flashing as they studied him. He liked the feel of her gaze on him. Let her look and see that he desired her.

Scott

'But yes, Lucien has asked that I make our relationship clear to you.'

'So to speed my

mused aloud

uncharitably.

'Be fair, St Just. Lucien has done nothing to earn your enmity besides stand my friend.'

Valerian studied her. 'Is he your friend? I did not know him from before. He must be a new friend.'

'Why, of course he's a friend and he's perfectly acceptable. He's the oldest son of a viscount with excellent prospects of his own. He's not a new friend, not to me anyway. I've known him since John.. . she hesitated here and then corrected herself . . .Cambourne's death. He was with John the day of the accident and he's been with me ever since.' Her sharp tone had softened at the mention of her husband.

Valerian matched it with a quiet tone of his own.

'Beldon mentioned the accident briefly. Cambourne lived a while afterwards,' he prompted, liking the quiet intimacy that had sprung up between them.

turned bittersweet eyes on him, her gaze far away with her memories. 'Lucien got him home and arranged for a physician, even though he was hurt himself. We stayed by John's side for the next few days.' She shook her head. 'The doctor had known immediately that there would be no recovery.

I was afraid to leave him out of fear that he would slip away the moment I was gone.'

Valerian took Philippa's hand, stroking her knuckles with his thumb, pleased that she hadn't snatched it away.

queer pang jabbed at him. He

was both grateful that

had cared for her