Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (247 page)

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The Viscount Claims His Bride

head, but how far is hard to say. We're not the only ones making inquiries in London. She's thought about it. My valet found a letter in her room. Still, her doubts about St Just are enough for us to exploit if we must.'

'We must. It is a foregone conclusion,' Danforth corrected. 'She must marry you or sell you all her mining rights and ancillary companies. You have to control the Cambourne interests. I don't see her selling.' Danforth's eyes narrowed in thought.

'We could stage another accident. perhaps several of them, that would convince her to sell.' He began to plot.

'No.' Lucien cut him off sharply. 'Properties with accidents don't inspire investors to cough up their pounds. It would do us more

than good in the

long run. Besides, she's stubborn and sabotage would too long. We need

properties by late

summer.'

'Then it looks as if the Duchess should reconcile herself to being a June bride,' Danforth said in a tone that suggested

Lytton would find

herself at the altar, whether she wished it or not.

Lucien raised his glass. 'Here's to the end of my bachelor days .'

Chapter Nine

was glad to be home!

put down her

pen and looked up from her ledgers, taking a moment to stretch her back and survey the glorious view spread before her through the long windows of the library. Not even the fine mist that blurred the landscape could dim her appreciation. The vast lawns spread before her, green even in winter. The pond floated on the horizon, filled with ducks. In good weather, she would have been tempted to throw open the windows in order to hear their In all,

been gone two months;

up to

London for the Little Season and the Michaelmas session of Parliament, wanting to support some early discussions on mining reform; then to Richmond for Christmas and Lucien7s for New Year. Now she was home for three months before she'd need to return to London after Easter.

Home. Her kingdom where she reigned supreme.

She did the ledgers, she oversaw the transactions of

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The Viscount Claims His Bride

daily business, she visited the tenants, the fields, the home farm, the mining interests. Here, she was not ruled by any man.

knew how rare her situation was. It had not come easily, but at the price of sacrificing a youthful dream. She'd wanted to marry for love, the passionate romantic kind of love found in fairy tales and Minerva Press novels. Instead, she'd married the man of her family's choice and found a quiet companionship with him.

Perhaps that was better. Her experience with Valerian had been quite illuminating about the quality and strength of romantic love. It had its limitations. But companionship had its limitations, too.

Cambourne had been kind and generous with a giving that extended far beyond his purse. He'd educated her in business and finance, delighting in her interest in his estates.

In the beginning she'd become interested to keep her mind off

desertion. She had to do some-

thing to fill her life. Later, she'd seen the genuine need to take an active part in the life of Cambourne's holdings. She'd built the school for miners' children and it had become one of her favourite projects.

Then

had died so suddenly,

her

involvement in legislation concerning mine safety.

Oh, yes, there was no disputing that her life was full these days. She'd remade herself admirably as the young Duchess of Cambourne and then again a few short years later as the Dowager Duchess. But re-fashioning oneself was hard work and she had no desire to do it again.

Scott

fingered the sapphire at her neck. She'd worn Lucien's gift today out of a need to honour her word. There was no one to see her, no one to hold her to her commitment. But
she
told

Lucien she'd consider the offer. Wearing the pendant was a reminder of what she'd promised. She owed at least some consideration of his offer. Although, if he could read her thoughts, he'd probably wish she hadn't felt so obliged. Marriage to Lucien would definitely require some re-fashioning.

Most likely, she could get her solicitors to design a betrothal contract that would protect her property, but it would be difficult. Not even a dowager's possessions were safe from a new husband's rights. She would have to give him something. It wasn't that she didn't trust him precisely. It was more the issue of having to give up the control she was so used to having.

Control would be given up in other areas, too.

Lucien would expect her to stay with him wherever he went. The year would be divided up between London, his father's estate, and then Cambourne. There wouldn't be time to live as she liked.

Her interests would give way to his and when his father eventually died, Lucien's responsibilities would increase. Becoming the future viscountess to Lucien Canton would require quite a lot of re-fashioning, leaving very little room to be the Dowager Duchess of Cambourne-obliterating it, in fact.

And for what?

Security? She didn't need security. She had it aplenty with her own holdings.