Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (236 page)

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The Viscount Claims His Bride

tor, Valerian rescued her admirably.

'Duchess, would you mind if I played the pianoforte this evening? I haven't a desire for cards at the moment or for business.' Valerian gave a quick nod to Lucien's group deep in discussion, his tone indicating how inappropriate he felt such a topic of discussion was in this setting.

'It would be delightful to hear you play again, my lord,'

said, inwardly laughing at the formality of their exchange, so bland and perfect compared to the heated, more imperfect exchanges they'd exchanged in private.

Valerian inclined his dark head in a gracious nod.

'Lady

if I might impose on you to turn the

pages for me? I recall at dinner you said you enjoyed the country pieces. Canton has a decent collection of music, perhaps you could sort through it and select a few.' Valerian offered Lady

his arm

and escorted her to the pianoforte, bending his head low to catch the woman's excited chatter.

watched them go with gratitude. How

deftly Valerian had managed the situation. Lady was a dear, sweet lady and

hadn't

wanted her to feel left out or in the way. Valerian had sensed the need and adroitly stepped in.
Unlike
Lucien.
For a man she'd considered eminently eligible marriage material, she'd certainly had a lot of uncharitable thoughts about him recently.

shot a glance at Lucien's coterie, wondering what they could be talking about that would raise such an interest that Lucien would forgo his guests? Typically, Lucien was an excellent host with

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an eye for details, showing every guest the utmost courtesy due them in polite society. Tonight, he'd left that task entirely to her. She didn't mind. She was there to play hostess, after all. Still, such behaviour wasn't like him and it seemed odd that he would commit such a
faux
pas in order to talk to Mr Danforth, a man whom Lucien had claimed not to know two days past.

'Are you coming? We're ready to play,' Beldon called from the card table.

smiled and took her seat. 'I hope my brother has warned you how competitive he is.'

Their game was lively and they rotated partners at the end of each rubber. The

proved to

be capable players, demanding all of Philippa's attention. Usually she was quite good at cards, whist and piquet being two of her favourite games. But tonight, too many distractions competed for her attention, not the least being

quiet ballads

coming from the pianoforte. On occasion, she caught snatches of Lady Pentlow's trebly voice singing a few lines.

At last the tea cart arrived, signalling the end of the evening.

poured out and then went to

stand with Beldon as the group congenially sipped their tea. 'What do you suppose has Lucien so interested?' she asked quietly.

Beldon gave a soft laugh, part-teasing, part-cynicism. 'I see the privileges of being a male prevails here. If you'd been allowed to stay at the table, you would have been treated to

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The Viscount Claims His Bride

announcement that he was opening a bank here in Truro, the Provincial Bank of Truro or some such nonsense.'

'Nonsense?'

queried. 'Why would you

say that?'

'You know what these country banks are really Phil. They're investment firms.'

nodded in agreement. Cambourne had

done business with Praed and Co., a bank in Truro that invested in high-risk ventures such as inventions and new technologies. If one was clever, these investments paid off. Cambourne had had good luck with them, but it was no surprise that these country banks went

far more often

than the style of bank one would do with business with in London.

She better understood Lucien's potential interest now. Lucien was always interested in money. 'Does Lucien think he'll invest?'

'More than that. Mr Danforth has offered Lucien a place on the bank's board of directors .'

'For a sum, I'm sure.'

offered thoughtfully.

'Definitely for a sum. But Lucien would be in charge of directing the investments. He seems quite taken with the idea.'

'He'd be good at it. Lucien is no fool when it comes to money.'

'But not women, at least not you.' Beldon eyed her over his teacup.

'Valerian told you?'

'Hmm. Rather cowhanded of Lucien to think you could be politely coerced, if not into an actual