Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

Stroking her with a slow, steady rhythm, Edmond pressed his aching erection against her thigh. He wanted to sheathe himself between her legs. He wanted his cock buried deep inside her when she found her release. But he had made a promise before ever entering Brianna’s bedchamber.

Never again would she accuse him of desiring only his own satisfaction. After tonight, she would understand that the bliss to be found in this bed would be entirely mutual.

Her body began to arch as she wound her arms around his neck. She whimpered softly against his lips, clearly caught in the throes of her rising climax.

Quickening the stroke of his finger, Edmond growled low in his throat, pumping his arousal against her hip. Mon dieu. Who knew that stirring an innocent to orgasm could be so…erotic? He was intent on her pleasure, but the moment he felt her stiffen with release, he was overcome with his own orgasm that shook him to his very soul.

Edmond continued to pleasure her, until her body at last melted against his with a lethargic satisfaction. Only then did he pull back to study the sated expression and the rather stunned green eyes.

“That was…”

“Just the beginning,” he finished with a wicked smile.

DESPITE HIS LATE NIGHT, and the fact he had yet to deflower his beautiful fiancée, Edmond was in a surprisingly cheerful mood as he made his way down to the breakfast room the next morning.

As expected, he found the pretty saffron and gold room empty except for the two towering footmen who stood at attendance near the long side table. Although Edmond had possessed less than half the staff that Stefan could claim, they were all well-trained and quite capable of keeping the household in perfect working order for at least a few weeks. They were also loyal to a fault, highly discreet and capable of dealing with any danger that might threaten.

Moving to the side table, Edmond filled a plate with slices of the freshly cured ham, eggs, toast and marmalade before taking his seat at the head of the table. The footman moved to pour him the hot coffee he preferred to tea, then placed an ironed copy of The Morning Post next to his plate.

With a grimace, he forced himself to skim through the paragraphs of the latest scandals and upcoming events. Although he had hired Chesterfield to keep an eye upon Howard Summerville, he intended to make sure that he soon crossed paths with his cousin. The announcement of his betrothal would be in the newspaper, but a sapskull like Howard could hardly be expected to actually read the thing. It would be Edmond’s duty to ensure that the man realized the Duke of Huntley was on the precipice of marriage.

That surely would provoke a swift reaction.

Only paying a brief attention to the various speculations of which hostess had provided the finest refreshments at their soirees and which debutante had been favored by the attentions of Lord Mallory, Edmond nearly overlooked the fleeting mention of a gentleman named Viktor Kazakov arriving in London and taking rooms at Pultney’s Hotel in Piccadilly.

It was not unusual for a wealthy Russian nobleman to visit London. Or even for that nobleman to choose to stay at a hotel rather than accept the King’s hospitality. But Edmond was well aware that Alexander Pavlovich had ordered Viktor to Siberia after he had been overheard raising a toast to the imminent death of the Czar.

Under questioning, Kazakov had desperately claimed he was drunk and merely jesting, but Alexander had no tolerance for seeds of discontent among his Court. Kazakov had been banished to Siberia under the watch of Alexander Pavlovich’s own Foot Guard.

So how did he slip unnoticed from Siberia? Edmond wondered, and what the devil was he doing in London?

Knowing this was yet another distraction that he did not need, Edmond could not resist calling for pen and paper so he could scribble a swift note to the Russian ambassador.

He had just dispatched one of the footmen with the missive when the door to the breakfast room was pressed open and Lady Aberlane tottered into the room.

Swiftly rising to his feet, Edmond smiled wryly as the elder woman crossed the floor, only occasionally remembering to use her ebony cane as she smiled at him with obvious delight.

“Good morning, my dear.” She came to a halt at his side, waiting until he had bent downward so she could plant a kiss on his cheek before taking the seat he held out for her.

“Good morning, Aunt Letty.” Ensuring she was settled, Edmond nodded toward the footman who began filling a plate with an assortment of food, then took his own seat. “I hope that you have been made comfortable?”

“Oh, quite comfortable. It is always such a pleasure to be invited to Huntley House.” She smiled as the footman set the plate on the table in front of her, then with that fluttering charm she abused with ruthless efficiency, she gently cleared her throat. “That will be all for now, you may leave us.”

The servant waited for Edmond’s grudging nod before giving a deep bow and leaving the room. Once alone, Edmond regarded his relative with a wary unease.

As Brianna had pointed out last eve, his Aunt Letty was not only annoyingly intelligent, but perceptive as well. He did not doubt that he would have to reveal at least a portion of the truth to ease her suspicions.

“Now then.” The elder woman studied him with that dark, piercing gaze. “Perhaps you will be good enough to tell me why you are pretending to be Stefan, and why in heaven’s name you are risking Brianna’s reputation by announcing this ridiculous engagement?”

Edmond gave a short laugh. Perceptive, indeed. And quite prepared to speak her mind.

Pushing aside his empty plate, Edmond gave a small shrug. “It was to save Brianna’s reputation that I announced the ridiculous engagement. She could hardly remain beneath my roof, or rather Stefan’s roof, without the protection of an impending marriage.”

Lady Aberlane glanced toward the delicately carved and scrolled ceiling above them. “And a lovely one it is, but why is she beneath your roof at all? Does she not reside with her stepfather?”

Edmond’s expression hardened as he gave a brief, clipped explanation of Thomas Wade and his nef

arious attempt to force Brianna to Norfolk. His aunt listened in silence, her lips thinning with utter disgust as Edmond revealed Wade’s intrusion into the town house and Edmond’s belief that he would continue to be a threat so long as he remained obsessed with Brianna.