Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (241 page)

Women took a man's arm all the time. But it did not escape her notice that the vicar glanced from one to the other before he set off towards the house, trying to understand what had really transpired.

wished him luck with the conundrum, although she doubted he'd succeed where she had failed.

'Shall we?' St Just turned them towards the stone-strewn path leading to the folly site, which thought was aptly named in light of the fact that she'd had very little luck with Valerian when it came to gardens. The last time she'd been alone in one with him, he'd left her with a broken heart that had taken years to patch. She wondered what he'd leave her with today. She could already feel the seams of that patch starting to unravel against all logic and her better judgement.

Chapter Seven

Y o u hesitated, Philippa,' Valerian said matter of factly, guiding her around a large stone in the centre of the path. 'Did you fear being alone with me?'

'Don't overestimate yourself.'

fought the

urge to give an unladylike laugh. 'I recall the last time we were alone, you ended up with my hand across your face. If either of us should fear being alone with the other, it should be you.'

Valerian tossed her a sideways glance. 'I must correct you.
That
wasn't the last time we were alone.

Yesterday, I thought we did very well together. I thought our conversation was quite civil. As for the other time you are referring to, I am still not sure if the slap was meant for me or if I was merely an available target for your own personal frustration.'

The man's arrogance was phenomenal. But she was thankful for it. Fighting with him was better than wallowing in silence with her fantasies about the man she wished he was. 'Enlighten me. What would

98

The Viscount
Claims His
Bride
I be frustrated about, if not your outlandish assumption that I was inviting your attentions out there on the balcony?'

They called an implicit truce while Valerian helped her over a small pile of scrim. The path smoothed out and argument resumed. In a detached part of her mind,

thought the scene would

be quite funny if played out on stage-their courteous behaviours being interspersed with the contradiction of the verbal spears they hurled.

'Outlandish?' Valerian repeated with calculated incredulity. 'I believe "outlandish" refers to being odd or strange. My dear, I regret to inform you my

"assumptions" were anything but "outlandish". You did not find my "assumptions" strange or odd in the least. Perhaps you're looking for a different word?'

'I don't know what that would be,'

snapped.

Valerian gave a shrug and a sigh. 'I don't know either. Perhaps a word denoting "liking" or "appre-ciation"? After all, you did like my Point of

fact, you liked them so much, you managed to kiss me back quite thoroughly
before
you managed to slap me. By the way, I find that deuced unfair-slapping
me
for
your

'No gentleman would ever speak to a lady in such a manner!'

fumed. The man was more than

He was a positive boor. 'How dare you make such assumptions ! '

'Oh, that word again, "assumptions",' Valerian parried with feigned blitheness. 'I think before we go any further we should define precisely what you

Scott

mean when you say "assumptions". I'm starting to believe you and I use the word differently.'

Philippa's temper flared again. 'If this is your idea of diplomacy, Britain is lucky not to be engaged in a conflict of major proportions.' She regretted her words instantly. Valerian's face went strangely blank for a moment, his eyes giving the impression that his thoughts were suddenly far away. The impression was so fleeting that the next moment wondered if she hadn't imagined it.

'But this is not a diplomatic mission, my dear, it is a

to a folly with an old friend who, frankly, seems a bit confused about her feelings.'

'You dare too much.'

stopped and

withdrew her hand from his arm, her voice as stiff as her spine. The cad had gone too far. She would argue with him about stolen kisses or 'assumptions'

or whatever he wanted to call them, but she would not countenance this effort to make their past history her fault. Neither would she let him portray her as a wanton widow eager to bed down with any handsome house guest.

'You cannot come back into my life after what you did and expect to be forgiven on two days'

notice. Neither can you expect me to engage in whatever kind of

de coeur
you are used to

carrying on with women of your acquaintance.' She knew very well the kind of women who peopled Valerian's diplomatic circles.

To her satisfaction,

did have the decency

to look penitent. 'Are you finished?' he said quietly, the toe of his boot digging out a muddy hole in the ground.

100

The Viscount Claims His Bride

For a moment

felt awful. She'd been too

harsh. She'd let him get the better of her. But she found her resolve. She would not be won so easily.

He had to be accountable for his actions. It was best for both of them to know how she felt. 'Yes, I believe I am finished.'