Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (219 page)

called to him one last time. Her anger was perilously close to giving way to tears as she spoke in a strangled whisper. 'Tell me you loved me, that it wasn't all false coin.'

Valerian stopped, but did not look back. Like Orpheus, it would be his undoing. 'Miss Stratten, I

Scott

cannot.' He comforted himself with the fact that it was the truth. He was too choked with emotion to utter the words she wanted to hear. Worse, he knew the reason for his silence would be misconstrued as heartlessness. In reality, to say the words would be to give her false hope. If she thought there was any window of opportunity for her case, she'd not give in.

was tenacious. He was counting on that tenacity to help her through this crisis and build a new life for herself.

Valerian closed his eyes as loss swept through him. It was better that the words went unsaid, no matter what cruel conclusions she might draw. His logic was cold comfort when

spoke again,

her emotions mastered, her quiet parting words piercing him like a venom arrow to the heart. 'I will not forget this, Valerian.'

Miserable and heartsick, Valerian squared his shoulders, intending to find Philippa's father and tell him the deed was done. He'd no longer stand in the way of the family's financial stability. He'd tell Beldon to take

home. Then he'd leave-it

was the only truth he'd told tonight.

In the other pocket of his evening coat was his uncle's letter, inviting Valerian to join his uncle's family on the Continent where he served as one of Britain's premier diplomats. The letter had come yesterday in response to

own inquiries. Valerian

he

could not stay in England and watch Philippa's new life unfold. Instead, he would go and serve England against whatever threats arose and try to exorcise the memory of

from his hot blood.

Chapter One

30
December

A n

icy wind blew steadily through the poorly sealed post chaise, keeping its two occupants chilled in spite of their

greatcoats and the hot bricks they'd in-stalled at the posting inn. But it had been the best they could do at the time. The west country was not known for its luxuries. The newly returned Viscount St Just didn't mind. He'd been in far less comfortable situations over the past nine years and he was simply glad to be home.

'What are you smiling about?' Beldon Stratten, the young Baron

groused, stamping his

feet in a futile attempt to generate some body heat.

'Am I smiling?' Valerian asked. 'I was unaware of it.'

'You've been smiling since the inn at St Austell.

I can't imagine what about.'

Beldon was right. There wasn't much to smile

Scott

about. Their

had become a comedy of errors.

Nothing had gone right since they'd left London after celebrating the Christmas holidays in town.

They'd hoped to sail down the Cornish coast to St Jus t-in-Roseland,

home on the peninsula,

and avoid the roads. But foul weather on the Channel had scotched those plans. So they'd set out on horseback, hoping to make better time than a lumbering coach. Valerian had a yen to be settled in his home by New Year. But weather again played them false, turning too cold for safe passage on horseback.

They'd abandoned the horses at St Austell and hired the only post chaise available.

It went unspoken between them that they'd get no farther than

today. If they wanted to try for St

Just-in-Roseland by New Year, it would have to wait until tomorrow.

'Do you believe in serendipity, Val?' Beldon asked, stretching his long legs out across the small space between the seats.

Valerian looked at him queerly. 'I am not exactly sure what you mean.'

'You know, making valuable discoveries by accident .'

'Ah,
coincidence,' Valerian corrected. 'You think it is merely a fortuitous happening that I ran into you in London.'

'Definitely luck since you'd sent no word ahead of your return.' There was a censorious note in Beldon's voice. Valerian did not miss it. He had not said goodbye to Beldon properly when he'd left London so abruptly years ago and he had not written

22

The Viscount Claims His Bride