Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (258 page)

tried to pull away, but he held her tight.

'Let me tell you my story, Philippa. Let me give you permission to love me again.'

Chapter Twelve

don't know what to say,'

said after

account of their fateful evening came to an end. His revelations left her at sea, awash in uncertainty. She'd built her mental fortress on the foundations of that evening, that he'd spoken the truth when he'd jilted her, cast her off as no more than a dalliance. The reasons for her distrust and harsh words stemmed from that night.

In the single telling of the tale, Valerian managed to make those foundations unstable. If she believed him entirely, her foundations were reduced to nothing more than rubble. Her world had shifted.

Everything had changed. She could love Valerian again. Her one reason for attempting to withhold her affections had been swept away.

'Say you believe me, that you find me to be a man of honour.' Valerian answered quietly.

His hands held hers tightly. They had long since given up standing and had seated themselves on the

Scott

floor of the ballroom. The shadows had lengthened into early evening, the bright room growing darker.

The floor was a hard seat, but

would not

have moved from the dusty wood floor for anything.

Valerian's tale had riveted her from the It had made sense, why she'd found such incongruity in his statements that evening. All that nonsense about needing society's approval had not sounded like the Valerian she'd known.

voice from the doorway caused her to turn her head.

vouch for him, Phil. The Pendennys's ledgers support all he says. We needed Cambourne and Father

for it to happen.' Beldon pushed

off from the door jamb and strode towards them.

'Beldon, you know?'

stood up awk-

wardly, shaking out her wrinkled

'I suspected as much.' Beldon gave a short laugh.

'I started thinking how serendipitous it was that Cambourne's money came along just when we needed it. The pieces started to fall into place. I searched the family ledgers and I discovered there was nothing lucky about the appearance of Cambourne in our lives. He was Father's last great campaign to save us.'

'I wish you had told me.'

turned to

Valerian, quiet censure in her voice.

'How could I tell you? You were desperate enough that night. If you'd thought there was any chance of undoing your father's plans, or if you thought I could be won over, you would never have agreed to marry Cambourne.'

'So you decided for me?' Philippa's temper began

162

The Viscount Claims His Bride

to simmer. 'You decided it would be better to let me believe the worst about you, about my own judgement, for nine years?' She saw Beldon slip out the door, trying hard not to be noticed. Very well, this was between her and Valerian.

'Your father asked it of me,' Valerian answered with a rising anger of his own. 'If you knew, we'd have ended up running off to who-knows-where with nothing but the clothes on our backs.'

'It was my life.'

stomped her foot in irri-

tation. She was tired of having men decide what was best for her. First her father, then Lucien and now Valerian's disclosure. Did all men think women were such

'I expected better from you,

Righteous indignation fired Valerian. 'Better? In what sense?' He should have known this would be Philippa's response. For once, why couldn't she be like other women? Other women would be won over by the romance of his sacrifice and the long constancy of his affections. But

challenged the

realities of the situation.

Her sharp eyes studied his face, testing his reactions for truth. 'You should have trusted me instead of trying to bear that burden alone.'

Valerian pushed a hand through his hair in frustration. He'd bared his conscience, confessed the greatest sin

knew him capable of. And, yes,

he'd expected to be believed. More than that, he'd expected to be accepted. He'd rather thought-and foolishly so-that her heart would welcome him back on the spot. It seemed quite unfair to be treated to her scolding instead and he'd had enough of it.