Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (222 page)

Scott

pearls. The heavy satin folds of her

fell neatly

to her ankles into a deep Van-dyked hem. She the quiet shushing of the satin

as she walked.

Indeed, she loved this gown for its textures and feel as much as she loved it for its look. The cream skirt was set off by the deep blue velvet of the round bodice that fell low over her shoulders and into a plunging vee in the back. She fiddled with the simple choker of blue Kashmir sapphires that set off the expanse between her neck and the delicate cream-lace trim of her bodice.

She looked well. Not that she wanted to attract any attention. She wasn't dressing for a approval, not even Lucien7s, although readily

give it. Being in high looks boosted her confidence, a security blanket of sorts. In a room dominated by the male species, one could never have too much confidence if one was going to hold

own.

She stepped into the wide

of the drawing

room, her eyes quickly assessing the gathering.

Lucien stood at the carved-oak fireplace mantel, dressed in dark evening clothes,

slender and

elegant with his usual immaculate perfection. He was doing his host's duty by chatting with the unworthy Mr Danforth. Across the room in a little grouping of chairs situated beneath an expansive Gainsborough landscape sat her brother, the vicar and apparently the guest her brother had brought with him. The guest's back was to her, affording her only a glimpse of broad shoulders and dark hair, sleek in the evening light of candles.

Beldon saw her first. He gestured that she should

30

The Viscount
Claims
His Bride
join them, saving her from joining Lucien and his odious guest at the fireplace.

smiled

at her brother and moved towards the group. She was always glad to see Beldon. They had been close as children and become even closer with her marriage to Cambourne. He'd supported her as she had learned to navigate London society and after when she had to re-learn the treacherous paths of society as a new widow.

He and the little cohort under the Gainsborough rose as she approached. 'Beldon, I am so happy to see you! We weren't expecting

but it's delight-

ful all the same.' She gave him a sisterly on the

cheek, having to reach up only slightly to do so.

They were nearly of a same height, both of them tall and built for grace. Anyone seeing them side by side would not doubt their similar genetic origins. Both had sharp blue eyes and russet hair the colour of chestnuts, each strikingly attractive in their own way.

The vicar leaned forward to take Philippa's hand in greeting. 'I am pleased to see you again, your Grace.'

'And I you, Vicar. How are your plans for a miner's school coming? I believe you had plans drawn up when we spoke last.'

'Very well, thank you. It is kind of you to remember.' The vicar beamed. 'I hope we'll have time to talk about its progress later tonight. I would love your opinion on a few things.' He gently inclined his head to indicate the third gentleman in the group.

The vicar was right. It would be unseemly to jump into conversation before all the introductions

Scott

31

were made.

turned her attention to the

stranger immediately, small talk coming easily to her lips. But the man to her right was no stranger at all and the small talk died a quick death.

Two

Inglemoore was the last man she'd expected to see in Lucien Canton's drawing room.

mustered all her aplomb. 'Viscount, this is indeed a surprise.'

Surprise didn't even begin to cover it. What was he doing in

How long had he been back?

thousand questions rioted through her mind. She mentally tried to tamp them down, telling herself she didn't care about such information. But it was like fighting the Hydra. The more she tried to squelch the rising tide of questions, the more questions came forward-worse questions because they didn't deal with the basic information of who, what and when, but with more intimate concerns-had he thought of her at all during his absence? Had he realised what he'd termed a mere dalliance was something far stronger? Did he have feelings for her yet? Did she, in spite of her efforts to deny it? Her pulse was certainly racing as if she did, as if she'd