Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (287 page)

said brightly.

Valerian shook his head. 'I think Montfort will buy a trial.'

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'Then I will go to Lucien. I have enough to sway him, I think,'

said, trying to be confident

against Valerian's dire words. She rapidly explained what she'd uncovered in the diaries.

Valerian's eyes filled with concern. 'Philippa, you cannot toy with Lucien Canton. If you threaten him, it will be open war. Do not confront him alone. Take Beldon with you and the Watch if you must.'

The guard banged on the door, Beldon's charm having finally worn out.

kissed him hard

one last time. 'I love you, Val. Nothing will change that .'

clenched her fists in the folds of her using all her willpower not to chase after him or cry as the guard led him away. terrible foreboding filled her as she watched Valerian stoically accept the handcuffs and was ushered down one of Whitehall's many secret hallways. If he didn't get out of

tonight, he might not get out at all, at least not alive. It was time to act. In fact, she felt that she had little time to lose.

Chapter
Twenty

H e a v y booted footsteps pounded up the stone corridor of

Valerian heard them and was

instantly on alert. It had only been four hours since the hearing. Surely they hadn't made a decision already? He rose from the cot, tense and ready. It was too soon for a decision and slightly too early for Beldon to come with a supper basket. But the footsteps were definitely for him. They came to a stop outside his heavy, barred door. The jangle of keys sounded and then a thick metal key clunked in the lock.

Valerian sprang behind the door. If Lucien had sent an assassin with a gun, he wouldn't get a clear shot. That was Valerian's greatest concern, that the assassin would come with a gun and he wouldn't have a chance to fight for himself. The door would open, a shot would be fired before he even knew who was there.

The door opened.

man dressed as a guard

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entered the room. Valerian didn't recognise him. He was not one of the usual men who watched his room.

'What do you want?' Valerian growled. The man was burly with a barrel chest and nose that looked as if it was used to being broken. He looked a menace.

'You're free to go. Your release is in my pocket if you're man enough to take it from me.'

blade

flashed in his hand from a concealed sheath in his sleeve. The sharp edge glinted dangerously.

Valerian assessed the situation in an instant. The committee must have decided before Montfort could stand against them in full force. He was free, but Lucien couldn't allow that to happen so this man had been sent to silence him once and for all. His small knife was hidden in his pallet, so he had no weapon to counter the knife, except his own brute strength.

The man clearly looked to outweigh him. His best defence would be to disarm the man and seize control of the weapon.

Valerian tensed into a fighter's position, ready to take the impact of the man's lunge. If the man wanted to

he'd have to make the first move.

Valerian was not going to risk serious injury by launching himself at an armed combatant.

They circled each other in half-crouches, the man making jabbing feints with the blade, emphasising just how small the room was. 'I can walk all day,'

Valerian taunted as they completed another circle of each other. 'Why don't you come and do what you've been paid to do? What's the going rate on viscounts these days? I hope it will be enough

Scott

to start over in exile. Once Baron Pendenny s arrives, you'll be caught.'

The man snarled, 'Then I better make short work of you.' He lunged, the knife making a downward slashing motion intended to catch Valerian in the shoulder. Valerian was ready for it, his arm going up in instant reflex and his

gripping the wrist of the

knife hand with the full force of his strength. Valerian grunted and used his power to push the man back to the wall, banging the knife hand against the stone, in hopes of shaking the knife free from his grip.

The man

catching Valerian in the

shins, but the kick had very little impact since they were locked so closely together. Valerian gave a final pound and the knife clattered to the floor. He landed a jab to the man's stomach and dived for the blade.

His assailant was faster than

anticipated.

no sooner got his hand around the knife handle than the man jumped him from behind. He had no time to roll over and slash with the knife. He was effectively imprisoned underneath.

punch

caused him to cry out, followed by another. He could not lie there and do nothing.

The

weight was formidable, but Valerian

found the strength to heave himself up to his slashing blindly with the knife to distract the man.

He had some luck. The blade met with muscle and his attacker cried out, loosening his hold long enough for Valerian to fling him off and regain his feet. He came up fast, ready to fight, ready to kill.

The man rushed him, sensing his chance for victory slipping away.