Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

It was all good and well to toss Thomas from the house and threaten to have him castrated, but what was to come next? He had refused to send her to Meadowland and had certainly made it clear that she was unwelcome here, so what the devil was she supposed to do?

Even worse, she had been unable to locate Janet anywhere in the house. The loyal maid would never have left Brianna unless she had been forced away.

Who knew what had happened to the poor woman?

At last Brianna could bear it no more.

By God, she was not going to helplessly wait for Edmond to make some sort of royal appearance and announce what her fate might be. She had already spent too many years at the mercy of others. She had promised herself that if she ever escaped Thomas, she would willingly walk through the pits of hell to gain control of her life.

And if confronting Edmond was her current pit of hell, then so be it.

Squaring her shoulders, Brianna marched through the state rooms with their silk damask furnishings and walls lined with family portraits and shimmering gilt mirrors. The mansion was eerily empty and not for the first time she wondered why Edmond had seemingly dismissed Stefan’s large staff. The only explanation seemed to be that he was up to something nefarious that he feared would be discovered by the servants.

But if that were true, then Stefan must be involved as well. After all, Edmond could never take command of Huntley House and the staff without his approval. And while Brianna was willing to believe anything of Edmond, she could not convince herself that Stefan would ever condone something truly wicked. His sense of honor simply would not allow it.

Finding no trace of her prey in the formal public rooms, Brianna directed her search to various parlors and saloons, even searching the rooftop viewing gallery before concluding that Edmond must be hidden in the library.

She did not allow herself to hesitate as she pushed the door open and stepped into the long, beautiful room. Instinctively, her gaze moved to the heavy desk set near the long row of windows, and she was not at all surprised to discover Edmond seated behind it.

Her heart gave a disturbing leap as she watched his dark head lift to reveal his perfectly carved features. It did not seem at all fair that a man blessed with such wealth and power should also possess the face and form of Adonis.

But then again, life was rarely fair.

Brianna met the fierce blue gaze. Something dangerous, almost possessive, smoldered in the cerulean depths, but it was gone so swiftly she wondered if it was nothing more than a figment of her imagination.

“Brianna.” His expression was unreadable as he set aside the quill in his hand. “What do you want?”

Her chin tilted at the unmistakable reprimand in his low, compelling voice.

“I waited for you at luncheon, but you never joined me.”

“I did not join you because I am busy. So if you would close the door behind…”

“Oh, no, I am not about to be so easily dismissed. I want to know what you have done to Janet.”

“Janet?”

“Do not be deliberately obtuse, Edmond. You know very well that Janet is my maid, just as you know that she is missing. Where is she?”

“Ah, you fear that I had her murdered and flung into the Thames?”

“I would not put it past you.”

“What a vivid imagination you possess, ma souris.”

She took another step forward, wanting nothing so much as to slap that smile from his lips. Her life had been nothing short of purgatory since her mother’s death and the only thing that had made it halfway bearable had been the companionship of her maid. She would be damned if she would allow this man to belittle her concern.

“You haven’t answered the question.”

Edmond studied her tight expression for a beat before his voice softened. “I assure you that she is well and hearty. I merely had a few errands for her to carry out. Now if that is all?”

Relieved, but far from satisfied, Brianna refused to budge.

“No, it is not all. I want to know what you intend to do with me.”

“Brianna, I am not accustomed to having my commands ignored. We will discuss this later.”

“We will discuss this now.” She folded her arms over her chest, ignoring the sudden prickles of danger in the air. “You cannot expect me to cower in my rooms while I wait for you to inform me whether I am to be tossed into the nearest gutter or handed over to my horrid stepfather.”