Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (271 page)

Scott

spent running away from war zones allowed little time for formal schooling. It also struck her that times had changed for this apparently ex-class of ruling elite. Speaking any language other than the local tongues might call unwanted attention to two people who had their own reasons perhaps for remaining inconspicuous.

left them in the chamber. She glanced at the clock. She couldn't expect Beldon and Valerian for another two hours at the earliest. She felt a bit fatigued, too, after the interview with Lilya. She'd have liked to have lain down as well, but there was too much to do before Valerian returned.

She knew herself well enough to know that if she laid down she wouldn't sleep at all. All the thoughts rolling through her mind would keep her awake. She would be better off keeping busy.

concocted

a mental list in her head.

She would check on the workmen in the music room and tell them to be done by four o'clock. She wanted all the peace she could find for return home. On that note, she stopped to report briefly to

and suggest he send a groom out to

find Valerian. She penned a quick note to send with him. Valerian might appreciate being forewarned.

With that done,

went to the kitchens to

let Cook

there would be two more people for

dinner. She left instructions for the table to be set with the best china and the good wine to be decanted for the occasion.

Finally, she went upstairs to see how the maids were progressing with the nursery. In hindsight,

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The Viscount Claims His Bride

she'd wished she'd put the nursery wing higher up on the priority list for redecorating. But it had ended up one of the last, there being no hurry with it at the time.

Fortunately, it was not in bad shape. The paint was faded, but a good dusting and beeswax had made a lot of difference in a short time. Like most nurseries, this one contained a large centre room used for playing and for school work. Off the big room were a series of smaller bedrooms.

helped the maids remove the holland covers shrouding the chairs and tables in the playroom and then wandered on to take stock of the bedrooms. Some were empty, some were partially furnished. They'd probably never been completed.

Valerian had been an only child.

been no

need.

selected the largest of the four bedrooms for Constantine and called for a maid to help her move some furniture from the other rooms. When they finished, the room looked presentable, with a small chest of drawers and a bookcase to hold personal items.

The housekeeper brought fresh linens for the bed, and clucked appreciatively over the change in the quarters. 'This used to be young Master Valerian's room. You've done well in a short time. It looks very respectable.'

'I didn't know it was his room,'

said

thoughtfully. By the time she'd known Valerian he'd moved out of the nursery and she was too old to be in the habit of visiting boys' bedchambers. Thinking

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207

of

playing here brought a smile to Philippa's lips. It would have been a cheery but lonely nursery.

'A sad thing it was too that there weren't brothers and sisters to fill the other rooms,' the housekeeper said briskly to cover the little catch in her voice.

'But he found you and the young baron. You've done well for him.'

coloured a bit at the housekeeper's praise. 'Thank you.'

'The viscount will be proud of what you've done today. It

have been easy to be so

to those

people. But you've done it

It's what the

master would have wanted if he'd been home, I think.'

nodded. The staff was probably abuzz with speculation. Perhaps the housekeeper thought might share some information with her that she could take back to the staff. But knew

no more than they did. Her own curiosity remained as unsatisfied as theirs.

went back out to the main room and turned about, studying their efforts. They had done well. Improvements could be made later, but, for now, the room was inhabitable. Still, she felt as if something was missing. Her eyes fell on the long window seat and the empty cupboards below. She knew what it was.

are there any of the viscount's toys left somewhere?'

The housekeeper's face brightened. 'Yes. They're packed away in the attic. I'll send some footmen for them right away.'

was delighted with the crates brought to

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the nursery. She spent the remainder of the afternoon boxes, dusting off toy soldiers, a wooden chess set, and other myriad treasures for a boy Constantine's age.

the cupboard beneath the

window seat was filled and a few books lined the small bookcase in the bedroom.

She'd left strict instructions that she was to be notified the moment Valerian and Beldon were sighted, but the nursery windows overlooked the front drive and she saw them coming long before a footman could race up the three flights of stairs to tell her.

Careless of her appearance,

sprinted

down the stairs. Her note had been short, saying only that two unannounced guests had

from far

away.

Valerian came through the door in a rush with Beldon close behind, his face anxious and his hair wind-tossed, evidence that the groom had found them. 'Is everything all right, Phil?' He gripped her hands hard, searching her face.

'I think so.

hard to say,'

said slowly.

put her up in the green room and opened the nursery for the boy.' Now that he was here, she wasn't sure precisely what to say.

Valerian looked perplexed. 'A girl?

boy? Do

they have names?'

'She says they're from Negush, that you knew their father.'

cast about for the name. The

girl had mentioned the

name. 'Their name's

Stefanov.

that was the

name. Yes,

S