Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (281 page)

There's no crime about that in your law books, is there? Here.. . Beldon slapped down two coins on the table . . .innkeeper, ale for everyone and keep it coming. These boys have had a long day.'

Valerian shot Beldon a quick look. He was up to something. Surely he realised 'rescue' or 'escape'

was out of the question? Beldon merely smiled.

After the first round, the men had gathered around the table where they sat. After the second, they were comparing battle scars from the morning's fisticuffs, more like comrades instead of enemies who had been on opposite sides of the fray. When the third round arrived, Beldon asked congenially, 'So, how much does it pay to take a facer from a viscount these days?'

'Enough,' one of the men replied. 'Double what we'd earn in a week on half-pay.'

'I'm not sure the wages are enough, considering

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the beating we took from you and the viscount today.'

man called Johnny gingerly touched his black eye, courtesy of Beldon's fist.

Beldon nodded in empathy. 'Sorry about that.'

'You and the viscount don't fight like sissified dandies,' Johnny put in.

'We're old friends,' Beldon said, throwing an arm around Valerian. 'We go way back. We've been in more than one scrape.'

For the next half-hour, Valerian sat back and watched Beldon charm the group of rough soldiers He saw his friend's ploy. Beldon too realised that escape was moot. But there were benefits to having one's captors on one's side. Valerian wouldn't be surprised if he'd be allowed to remain uncuffed during the ride tomorrow or if Beldon would be allowed to sit with him in the carriage. Little pleasures meant a lot in these situations. And perhaps, too, Beldon was trying to establish an ally to use once they got to London, someone who would prove to be sympathetic to their cause.

Eventually it was time to bed down. Lucien had arranged for a private room upstairs for himself. The others were expected to bed down in the common room on pallets, Valerian included. Men were appointed to stand watch in shifts in case Valerian tried anything foolish.

It was
an
immense relief to have Beldon with him. 'You sleep first,' Beldon said quietly, gesturing to a pallet.

stand watch for us.'

Valerian nodded. Beldon implicitly understood

244

The Viscount Claims His Bride

his concern that Canton would not be beyond murdering someone in his sleep.

'How is Philippa?' Valerian asked in low tones.

'She is well.' Beldon looked around him at the room of men. 'Tomorrow in the carriage, tell

you more. Not now. I have a letter from her.'

man shouted over at them to stop talking.

B

raised his hand in acknowledgement. 'Sorry to disturb you.' But both of them knew the ale had paid off. They shouldn't have been allowed to exchange even those few sentences. The shout had been for good

alone to keep up appearances.

Valerian lay down with his cloak about him, his hand closing over the handle of the small knife. The setting reminded him of many evenings spent in uncertain circumstances in the Balkans-the only difference was that he'd been alone then. Valerian glanced over at Beldon, who was already deep in a chess game with the soldier appointed to the first watch. It had been more than he'd expected to see Beldon come through the inn door. Beldon's presence was a good sign, too, that

had not

been revolted by the charges laid at his feet. For the first time since Canton had dragged him from Roseland, Valerian felt the foreboding recede.

could not quell the sense of foreboding that infiltrated her thoughts. The carriage ride to had been interminable, although Lilya had done her best to keep up a stream of conversation in the hope of taking her mind off the circumstances.

only followed the stream of chatter in

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snatches, her mind fully riveted on Valerian. Was he safe? Had Beldon reached him in time? She worried for her brother too. Perhaps it had been a fool's madness to throw her brother after Canton. She'd never forgive herself if anything happened to Beldon.

But Beldon was adept in the art of protecting himself. She'd seen him box and handle a sword on occasion. It was quite telling to think of Lucien as someone who was capable of harming another. But Beldon had gone after Valerian because he agreed with her that Lucien

dead. Beldon7s

presence might act as a shield, at least until they got to London. She desperately hoped by then have something else to act as a shield, some proof of Lucien's unethical behaviour. But it would be difficult. Valerian had technically committed treason.

Technically, Lucien had done nothing wrong. How did one prove nefarious motives?

grappled with the conundrum through-

out the afternoon until the carriage finally rocked to a halt in front of a respectable inn in Truro. It was too late to do anything tonight, but in the morning she and Lilya would pay a visit to Lucien7s manor. She hoped she could gain entrance based on the servants7 familiarity with her, but if not she was prepared to use force and intimidation.

In the morning, she dressed in her best day gown.

Lilya dressed as her maid. They went straight to the manor. The butler recognised her immediately.