Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (264 page)

Scott

estate. And Beldon had taken himself on long

visits and explorations these last few days to give her and Valerian some privacy. Knowing this was her preferred time of day for correspondence, the maids left her alone as well. No one bothered her here unless something was wrong. Which was why she was surprised to see

at the door.

'Is something wrong with the dinner menus?' she asked with a pleasant smile.

'No, milady. This letter has arrived for you. It came by special messenger. I thought it might be urgent.'

looked at the envelope. It was from Truro. Her initial worry that something drastic was wrong at

eased. She didn't know anyone

in

well enough to warrant a letter by special messenger. In fact, the only person she knew in Truro of any real significance was Lucien. But Lucien had no reason to send such a letter. The regular post would do for any business they might have.

opened the letter, reading the back first to see who it was from. Lucien.

flipped the paper over and began to read.

My dearest Philippa,

you for your kind words and polite
refusal of my proposal. I appreciate your con-siderate words as much as I regretted your need
to decline. As for me, I shall remain your obe-dient friend and

in the hopes that my

might meet with your fondest reconsidera

182

The Viscount Claims His Bride

It is my sincerest hope that any impetuosity
on my part might be forgiven. It is also my sincerest hope that you keep

safe. To dem-

onstrate that sincerity, feel compelled to bring
you news of great concern regarding
ily friend, the Viscount St Just. Lately, it has
come to my attention that he is suspected of
having dealt in some behaviour of a treasonous
nature while serving Britain in the Balkans-something to do with a little town called Negush.

I do not know all the details or even how
true such claims are. But I thought you should
You know him better than I and are perhaps best placed to help exonerate him should
these charges become more than speculation
and

at Whitehall.

I would encourage you to be vigilant on
your friend's

Look for anything that

might prove him innocent need be.

I was surprised to discover you had gone to
Roseland. Do have a care with your reputation. I would not wish to see you suffer simply
b y association should St Just be branded a
As always, I stand your true friend,
Lucien

clenched the paper, wrinkling the fine linen bond with the strength of her hand. Treason?

What nonsense was this? But it wasn't exactly

'nonsense'. There was no reason for Lucien to make

Scott

any of this up and, really, one couldn't fashion charges of treason out of whole cloth and expect to get away with it. If Lucien didn't think it was the truth, he'd hardly have bothered writing about it and sending the news by special courier.

That worried her. The letter had been sent with all haste possible. The letter had been written with the express intention of sharing that news with her. He'd made no mention of the bank or of any local news.

In the past, the letters they'd exchanged had been full of such events. It was unlike Lucien to write an entire letter without making a single financial reference.

She'd not known he was capable of it, in fact.

Worry twisted in her gut.

looked at the

little clock on the wall. Eleven. Valerian wouldn't be back until tea time, four hours away. Four hours to search the house, looking for some proof that it was all balderdash, whatever those charges might be. But she had no idea what she'd be looking for.

She was suddenly struck with the thought that she didn't know anything about what he'd actually done during his time abroad. In order to look for clues, one usually had to have something to start with.

had nothing but the name of a place

she'd never heard of.

She would start with that. There had to be an atlas in the library. Then she could practise how she'd ask the man she loved if he'd committed treason.