Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (237 page)

Scott

thal, then at least as far as a publicly announced engagement. Are you thinking of accepting?'

'I haven't given it much thought,'

murmured vaguely. Marriage to Lucien Canton had been a foregone conclusion until the very unsuitable Valerian had arrived. Now, she believed she'd been rather

not to have thought about it more deeply, to look beyond the simplicity of an arrangement between two friends who enjoyed each other's company. What other reasons could there be for a man with Lucien's looks and prospects to choose to marry a childless widow when there were so many eligible

available to him?

Beldon looked as if he would press her for more details. She stalled him with a shake of her head.

'This is not the place for such a discussion.' Lady was starting to nod off in the middle of her conversation with Lady Trewithen. The evening was coming to a close. Her guests would want a good night's sleep before beginning their respective journeys in the morning. They would look to her for the sign to retire.

Beldon assented. 'Promise me we will have that discussion soon.'

smiled at her brother's protectiveness.

Even with childhood long behind them, he had not forsaken his role as a doting brother. 'I promise.

There is something I want to ask you, too, something about Valerian.'

Chapter
S i x

B

returned his empty cup to the tea trolley and said his goodnights to the group as they began to depart upstairs. He wasn't as ready for sleep as the rest of them. His agile mind was alert, pondering the little dramas of the holiday, and Canton had excellent brandy in the library.

In general, he found people to be
an
interesting area of study. Younger men of his acquaintance dreaded the routine of a house party unless hunting was involved, but he found them to be intriguing affairs. The gatherings were a constant source of amazement to him, full of the dramas of intersecting lives .

Even in a group as small as the one here tonight, the web was tightly woven-Lucien and that merchant-cum-banker Danforth establishing a business tie together; he and Lucien, friends established through their common tie in Philippa; Lucien and

and the budding drama of

Scott

proposal; Lucien and Valerian, enemies on sight.

Why? The two men did not know each other. They had only

in common between them.

was the only possibility. Did Valerian have a liking for Philippa? It was fantastical to think Valerian had fallen in love with his sister at first sight, and yet Val's animosity towards Lucien had seemed palpable the moment he'd walked into the manor. hypothesis began to take embryonic shape, events of the past starting to form connections to one another instead of existing as isolated occurrences.

But Beldon was interrupted before he could decipher what the link was that bound them all together.

'A farthing for your thoughts.' Valerian strode into the library as if conjured from Beldon's own mind. He'd removed his jacket and waistcoat, shirt sleeves rolled up.

Beldon shifted in the comfortable chair he'd taken up residence in. 'My thoughts are worth far more than a farthing, old chap. Pull up a chair. Canton has a superb brandy collection.'

Valerian gave a short chuckle at that. 'Is that his chief requirement in being your friend? Since I've met him, his cellar seems to be his primary recommendation.'

Beldon waved his snifter. 'Well, you have to admit the Veuve Cliquot was superior at New Year.'

He paused, stopping to consider the play of firelight on the amber liquid swirling in the snifter's bowl. 'In truth, I'd thought Canton was quite an amicable fellow, a bit aloof at times, but otherwise acceptable, until you showed up. Why do you think that is, Val?'

86

The Viscount Claims His Bride

Beldon studied his friend closely, watching him adopt a comfortable slouch in the opposite chair, his feet resting negligently on the fireplace fender as he pondered the question.

'Do you want me to answer that question or is it rhetorical? I seem to recall you made a habit of telling us what to think in school.'

teasing smile

hovered at Valerian's lips before he sipped from his glass.

I am wounded,' Beldon said. 'The accusation is true. However, in all fairness, you must admit most of our friends
didn't
think. I did them a grand favour by doing it for them.'

'Then carry on. Clearly, you have ideas.'

Beldon set his drink on a small side table next to his chair. He leaned forwards in earnest, elbows resting on thighs. 'Tell me the truth, Val. I don't have all the angles worked out yet, but I think you have a penchant for Philippa.'

It was telling that

didn't meet his eyes, but

chose to look straight ahead into the waning

'Philippa is an attractive young woman who is intelligent and confident. I am certain many men desire her.

'

She would be an asset to any peer's household-

'More to the point,' Beldon broke in, not swayed by the general terms of Valerian's response, 'you desire her
and
you have for some time. This is no incident of love at first sight. You're both past the first blush of such fantasy. How long have you carried feelings for her, Val?' How had such a thing as his best friend's affections escaped his notice?

Beldon felt a twinge of betrayal. He and Val had been