Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (272 page)

Scott

'My God, they're here?' Valerian looked unsteady.

couldn't tell if it was from

genuine surprise or fear.

young voice called out from the top of the stairs in blatant delight. 'Valerian, we've come. Oh, thank heavens we've found you!'

Valerian looked beyond her shoulder, his eyes blazing with emotion, his grip quite shattering on her hand. 'Lilya! Constantine! You're safe. Thank God.'

He moved past Philippa, his throat working hard and his arms wide open. The pair flew down the stairs to meet him and he enfolded them in his embrace.

watched the teary reunion. She'd seldom seen Valerian so deeply moved and the sight of it caused her own eyes to blur. He held them tightly, then Lilya stepped back slightly and Valerian knelt down eye level with the boy, his hands on the boy's shoulders. He was speaking the language had heard them speak in the receiving room earlier.

There was no

the tears on Valerian's

cheeks for anything other than joy as he spoke to the boy. Seeing them together,

was overcome

by the sensation that she was watching a father being reunited with his son.

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rose from his crouch to face Beldon and Philippa, an arm around each of the visitors. 'I am pleased to introduce Beldon Stratten, Baron Pendennys, and

Lytton, the Dowager Duchess

of Cambourne.'

He was glad to see Lilya make a nice curtsy and that Constantine had manners enough to sketch a light bow. He gave Lilya credit for that. It was unbelievable that they were here. Even with Lilya's resourcefulness, the journey was an arduous one. For a young girl and a boy alone, the journey was almost beyond comprehension. They would not have had the

to travel easily in private coaches or the funds to stay at quality inns. He started to note how thin Lilya was, although it did not detract from her delicate beauty. It didn't matter. They were here now and he would take care of everything for them from now on.

Valerian had to slow his mind down before plans

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ran away with him. He'd do well to finish his introductions. 'Philippa, Beldon, this is Miss Lilya Stefanov and her brother, Constantine. They are my wards. Their father was one of my closest friends during my time in the Balkans.' He knew he was beaming with ridiculous joy but it was completely overwhelming to know they were here after years of separation.

He watched Beldon and Philippa's reactions.

Beldon was normally a dab hand with manners, but he seemed quite tongue-tied as he greeted Lilya.

Philippa's response was harder to gauge. She seemed relieved? Shocked? Then her eyes met his above the exchange of pleasantries and a warm smile lit her face especially for him. Whatever worries she'd had would have to wait until they were alone.

For now, there were questions to answer and stories to tell.

Beldon had already begun. 'How did Valerian come to be your guardian?' he was asking Lilya.

Lilya looked at him for direction and Valerian felt guilty for not having mentioned if before. 'I am their guardian in the absence of any of their countless aunts and uncles,' Valerian offered, glossing over the fear that had prompted Dimitri to place the children in his care. Dimitri had been afraid the Turks would wipe out the entire family, leaving the children orphans if they lived at all. And Valerian had known in that part of the world, orphans were as good as dead.

Lilya inserted herself into the conversation. 'My aunts and uncles have generously taken us into their

212

The Viscount Claims His Bride

homes these last years, but now there is a new war between the Turks and the Russians. Nowhere is safe. This war won't be the last and it won't change anything. Not for people like us.' She turned dark, pleading eyes on Valerian. 'I know there is talk of peace, but upheaval takes many different forms. I had to try to make a better life for us.' She gestured to the silent Constantine.

'You are welcome here,' Valerian assured her. He knew all too well what the aftermath of so-called peace brought. Peace in the Balkans would net the Western powers a chance to insert their own economic revolutions into the area, which was exactly why the West had been meddling there in the first place. There would be 'upheaval'-as Lilya called it-of the social and economic type for years.

But perhaps the bloodshed would be less and, after a while, perhaps even the quality of life would be better. man could make himself a fortune in post-war economies, but such places were not safe for a woman or a child.

gently ushered them upstairs and suggested everyone change for dinner. Valerian was grateful for her thoughtful intervention. In the midst of all the excitement, he'd forgotten they were still standing in the middle of the wall.

Valerian washed and changed as quickly as his valet would allow it. He wanted a chance to speak to

before

It could not wait until

tonight, when he would share her bed.

was sitting before her dressing table,

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letting the maid do her hair when he came in. She wore a pale sage-coloured dressing gown of silk that fell softly over the full swells of her breasts, reminding Valerian of how delectable her body was. He felt his own body stir in longing. He wanted to dismiss the maid and take his ease. Was that a trick of the mirror or did her breasts look fuller? He had an irresistible urge to palm them and test them himself.