Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (244 page)

Valerian cautioned himself to control his dark thoughts. He could not give in to the megrims that accompanied his guilty moods. This was not the place for it, on top of an overhang on a house-party outing. It would be the height of bad form to come down with one of his devastating

pliments of the Phanariot revolutionaries.

Gathering his concentration, Valerian had to admit that the prospect did not disappoint. Once the actual folly was built, it would have a breathtaking command of the

area. The vicar would be

pleased with the results. Beside him, Beldon took a

108

The Viscount Claims His Bride

deep breath and exhaled expansively. 'Ah, there's nothing like clean Cornish air. I swear there's no place on earth as grand as this.'

Valerian smiled at his friend's Cornish pride. It helped to lighten his mood. He too had loved growing up and living here. But Lucien seemed inclined to argue, suddenly much less 'Cornish'

since he'd lost the weather bet.

'I think I prefer the Lake lands with their mountains. Much more rugged, more challenging.

the mountains here look like rolling hills.'

Valerian raised an eyebrow, indicating that he disagreed wholeheartedly. 'While I was away, I saw many different terrains-mountains, seaboards. Some places were blistering hot and others were cold enough to freeze a man's thoughts. When I couldn't tolerate the climates, I would think of Cornwall.' His eyes strayed to

as he spoke the last. He had

meant more than 'Cornwall' in the comment. The startled look on her face suggested she guessed as much.

Encouraged, he went on, blurring out those around them. 'I would think of the gardens, especially the gardens at Pendennys Hall and and all my plans for it. I'd imagine walking in the gardens in those places, sometimes making plans, other times finding peace.' Did she remember their walks? Their talks? They'd shared many secrets in their time.

broke away from his gaze and turned to stare out over the land. He hoped she'd heard the hidden message: I
thought of you; I treasured

Scott

memories of our time

Most importantly,

you and you alone sustained me when I kept no hope
for

Although he doubted

fully compre-

hend how dark his life had been, how far from the light

wandered.

Beldon coughed discreetly, drawing his attention with an over-loud voice. He must have drifted off in his thoughts. 'Contemplating the weather again, Val?

Lucien and I were wondering how you knew it wasn't going to rain.'

Valerian gave a negligent shrug of his shoulders, all glib aristocrat once more. 'Well, for I didn't

say it wouldn7 t rain, only that it wouldn7 t rain before tea time. As for that, I do believe it will rain after six tonight and before nine o'clock. Double or nothing on that, Canton?'

Canton eyed him suspiciously and Valerian knew be packing his bags tonight. It was a sure sign it was time to leave when one was reduced to the subterfuge of wagering on the weather in order to distract the host from the reality that his guest was bold enough to seduce his hostess right under his nose. Oh, yes, it was definitely time to go home.

Chapter

was going home.

stultifying con-

versation at

decided it by the time the duck was

served. She would leave in the morning. From the looks of things at the table, she wouldn't be the only one.

Immune to such uncharitable thoughts, Mr Danforth held forth ceaselessly about his bank throughout dinner, although it was exceedingly obvious no one was paying him serious attention except Lucien. But even Lucien appeared to have his mind on other things.

didn't want to dwell

too long on what those things might be for fear of discovering she was at the heart of them.

She was certainly at the heart of Beldon's absorption. Beldon, who was normally very adept at dinner conversation, seemed lost in his own thoughts, letting his gaze drift between her and Valerian.

Valerian had apparently used up his quotient of good behaviour the night he'd squired Lady