Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“Most of them are.”

He leaned against the shelves, his linen shirt thin enough to reveal the sculpted muscles beneath, and his dark breeches molded to the hard thrust of his legs. He looked like an elegant predatory animal who had discovered his prey and was merely biding his time before pouncing.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

“Conceited toad,” she muttered, refusing to reveal her flare of unease. “I would not have you as a husband if—”

“Fortunate, because hell will freeze over before I ever become any woman’s husband,” he interrupted icily. “This is no more than a temporary inconvenience that I intend to be done with as swiftly as possible.”

She stiffened. Well, that certainly put her in her place. She was good enough to use in his disreputable schemes, but nowhere near good enough to wed.

Why the knowledge should trouble her was a mystery.

“Then why do you claim that this engagement should suit me?” she demanded in a stiff voice.

“This is the only means to ensure that, when you at last leave this house, your reputation will not be shredded beyond repair.”

So he was doing this all for her? Not bloody likely.

“There is no need to go to such lengths. You could send me to Meadowland—”

“No.”

She frowned in irritation at his sharp interruption. Why the devil would he not send her to Meadowland? It could only be that Stefan was involved in the secretive plots swirling about Edmond.

“Then hire a female companion.”

Edmond shrugged. “I intend to invite my aunt to visit during your stay. Even as my fiancée, you cannot remain here without a woman to act as guardian.”

“Your aunt?” Brianna blinked in shock. It was well-known that Edmond held the majority of his family in disdain. Only Stefan seemed immune to his universal dislike. “Good lord. I cannot believe you are going to this effort simply to keep my reputation untarnished.”

“I do it more for Stefan’s reputation,” he corrected smoothly. “He would not be pleased to be considered the sort of nobleman who would seduce his own ward beneath his roof.”

“That is because he is a gentleman. Something you would know nothing about.”

The blue eyes narrowed. “Careful, ma souris. Annoy me enough, and I will simply keep you locked in your chambers until I am finished with my business in London.”

She wisely ignored his threat. If he decided to lock her away, there was very little she could do to halt him.

“Did you consider the fact that, once this engagement comes to an end, I will still be ruined?” She held up a hand as his lips parted. “While I am quite willing to trade my reputation to be rid of Thomas Wade, a male might be capable of shrugging off a broken engagement, but a female is not so fortunate. There will be endless gossip and speculation as to why Stefan cried off.”

A sardonic smile touched his lips. “Perhaps if you were jilted by most gentlemen, but a woman capable of attracting the attentions of the elusive Duke of Huntley, even for a brief time, is bound to be one of the most sought after young maidens in all of London. No doubt, when this is all said and done, you will be able to land a dull, spineless gentleman who will occasionally remember to crawl into your bed to give you a pack of squawking brats.”

It was his mocking scorn that made her chin tilt. The jackass! What choice did most women have but to claim a destiny that included marriage and children? It was not as if they were blessed with the same opportunities as the wealthy son of a duke.

Thankfully, she would be spared such a horrid fate.

“There will be no man crawling into my bed for any reason,” she charged.

“One already has.” The blue eyes abruptly darkened with a near tangible hunger as his gaze ran a slow, thorough path over her slender body. “Or have you already forgotten our morning tryst?”

It was her heated response to that mere glance that had Brianna heading for the door. She at least knew that Janet was safe, and that for the moment, Edmond had no intention of tossing her into the street.

It was enough for now.

Pausing at the threshold, she turned her head to toss her parting words over her shoulder.

“If you truly want to bring me happiness, Edmond, then send me to Stefan.”