Amethyst Love: A passionate Regency romance by Janet Louise Roberts & Rebecca Danton

Author:Janet Louise Roberts & Rebecca Danton [Roberts, Janet Louise]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2021-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Valerie tried very hard to be satisfied with her life. It was difficult when Deidre remained constantly, ostensibly to comfort Eustace’s mother. Actually, thought Valerie, retiring yet again to the study, she was charming Malcolm constantly, appearing to be sweet and gentle, yet her look of hate would flash at Valerie when no one else noticed.

Valerie thought, Deidre is trying to separate us! She wants Malcolm now! He is the heir, he is Viscount Grenville. And nothing would please her more than to separate us, before I have a child!

Malcolm still came to her bed, but not every night. And they would quarrel, a spark could set them off, and they did not speak for days. Valerie felt helpless to stop this, they seemed to quarrel so easily. And Deidre was always there, to laugh and egg them on, or say how it was done in polite society, or mock at Valerie under the guise of advising her.

Valerie turned more and more to the earl. She begged for more work to do.

“Come, come, child, you work enough,” he said, pleased. “If only you could persuade Malcolm to take some interest, I should be immensely happy!”

However, Malcolm took little interest in the estate. When he was bored, he would take out his carriage and ride off, sometimes alone, sometimes with Deidre. He rarely asked Valerie. When the earl reprimanded him, Malcolm said, “Valerie doesn’t want to come, she is too busy, aren’t you, Valerie?”

And his mockery sounded just like that of Deidre. Valerie would turn away, furiously, and go to the study to work.

“You only play into her hands,” warned Louis Kenyon. No one else seemed to notice anything, but that Malcolm and Valerie had had another spat.

“If he prefers her company, he is welcome to it!” flashed Valerie. She took out her articles and books and bent over them.

Mr Kenyon shook his head and returned to his own work on the accounts.

The earl came in, frowning. He looked thoughtfully at Valerie’s flushed, rebellious face. Finally he said, “I should like to ride out to see one of the tenants. Will you come with me, Valerie? It is not so bad for a November day, the sunshine is quite bright.”

“Oh, yes, I’ll get my cloak and bonnet.” She got up at once.

He sighed. “You will come with me, why not with Malcolm?”

“Three is a crowd, Father,” she snapped, and then asked, “Do you truly wish me to come, or were you testing me?”

“Of course I wish you to come.” She ran off to get her cloak, hoping he would forget his arguments. However, in the carriage, he continued them gently.

“How lovely the day is,” she said happily, as they settled into the open carriage. “Which direction do we go, Papa?”

“To the Forsythes,” he said. “Her baby is a year today, and it is their first child. I thought we would take them flowers and a gift.”

“How thoughtful you are, Papa.” She smiled in pleasure, partly at the thought of seeing the adorable baby.

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