Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (240 page)

Scott

strode through the soft mud and dirt to greet them, smiling excitedly. 'You're here! This is a great pleasure. I was delighted to get your note yesterday.'

liked the man immediately. He was tall and lean, moving with a loose-limbed gait. Even though he'd known they were coming, he still wore the cotton flannel clothes of a workman and mud-spattered boots. He stripped off his gloves and ran a hand through the shock of flax-coloured hair that stood on end. She recognised his type immediately.

He was the

of man who forgot all else when set

on a project dear to his heart.

'It was

of you to let us come on such short

notice,'

said, giving him her hand as she stepped down, glad for her sturdy half-boots and walking dress of simple merino wool.

She'd guessed correctly that anything more formal would be out of place, although Lucien had quietly disapproved of her

attire.

'Watch your step there. Some of the mud is a bit squishy yet,' Trist advised.

'Reverend

St Just. He enjoys hor-

ticulture. I immediately thought of your place,'

Lucien said,

the introductions. Lucien

surveyed the scene. 'Quite the ambitious project you've got going.'

'Yes, this is just the beginning. The vicarage had become seriously run-down during my father's last years. I took over as vicar and decided the place had to be brought up to standard. I want something more fashionable, more up to date.' Samuel gestured for a man to join them. 'This is my foreman on the

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The Viscount Claims His Bride

project. He can show you the plans while I show the viscount around. There's not much out here yet in terms of a formal garden, but I have my hopes.'

Reverend Trist turned to Philippa, seeing that Beldon and Lucien were already poring over the new plans for the house. 'Your Grace, will you join us?'

Trist walked them through the garden, talking of plants and herbs. He stopped to check the tight, close-budded rhododendrons. 'Will only be a month and these beauties will pop open.' He stopped at the edge of the garden. 'Now here is where I've planned a lane of trees.' He gestured to lines of seedlings strategically placed. 'There's copper beeches and evergreen oaks.' Something twinkled in his eye. 'Look over there.' Samuel Trist pointed. 'That is my pride, a Chilean Pine.'

Valerian was immediately taken with the tree.

'What a curious species. May I?' He strode towards the tree, studying it intently with gentle hands.

'Philippa, come see this!' All formality was forgotten in the wake of his excitement over the exotic tree.

The tree was indeed a curiosity. Dark green in colour and covered with stiff needles, the tree had arm- like branches that stuck out haphazardly, becoming a complex tangle of maze-like arms that took up vast amounts of space. 'Why, I think it would puzzle even a monkey to climb it!'

exclaimed, laughing at the intriguing shape of the tree.

'Perhaps that's what I'll call it,' Samuel Trist said, joining in her merriment. 'A monkey-puzzle tree.

Scott

That certainly sounds more exotic than "Chilean Pine."'

'I've not seen anything like it,' Valerian said, his tone nearly reverent.

'I might boast enough to say that if I can get it to grow, it'll be one of the first planted in Britain,'

Trist said.

'I'd like to get a cutting of this and have a go at it myself,' Valerian said.

didn't miss the

excited sparkle in his eye as he contemplated a new plant.

Trist nodded, glad to have found a fellow enthu-siast. 'I need to get back to the vicarage, but feel free to walk farther. There's a grotto I am currently filling in to make a folly and I've got stakes laid out where there will eventually be a man-made lake. The walk is a bit rough this time of year, your Grace. You're welcome to come back with me,' he added.

flashed a look at Valerian. She should go back. Returning to Beldon and Lucien was the safest path to travel. There was no temptation there, just polite conversation. Valerian had proved to be the opposite. In the short time since his return, he'd managed to tempt her passions and her temper, two irreconcilable forces.

It was something of a mystery to her how she could resent the passion he awoke so easily and yet she had continually courted opportunities for him to stoke those same flames.

Valerian's sharp gaze seemed to sense her hesitation as she weighed her choices. 'Come with me, Lady Duchess. The weather promises to remain fine

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The Viscount Claims His Bride

and you remarked in the carriage how much you wished to be out of doors. If the path proves too hard, we can turn back.' He held out his arm in a gesture that brooked no refusal. How could she gracefully decline a gentleman's arm without turning it into an outright rejection?

Reverend Trist was staring at her, confirming her suspicions that she'd contemplated her situation too long.

She smiled and said with forced brightness,

'Thank you, St Just. I think a walk is the perfect idea.'

She took Valerian's arm, telling herself that the bachelor vicar couldn't see her inner turmoil over the decision or even that he suspected anything amiss.