Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

Edmond’s expression was grim as his fingers shifted to trail down the curve of her cheek.

“No matter how kind and good he might be, he is also a powerful nobleman who inherited his own share of enemies.”

“I suppose.” She sucked in a deep breath. “It still seems…”

“Seems what?”

“Unbelievable,” she muttered, unable to come up with a suitable word to describe the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was not so innocent that she did not understand there was evil in the world. Thomas Wade had made certain of that. But it was nearly impossible to think of sweet, gentle Stefan being stalked by a coldblooded murderer. “Who do you suspect?”

Frustration rippled over the lean features as Edmond gave a shake of his head. “Howard Summerville seemed the obvious choice. If both Stefan and I were to conveniently cock up our toes, he would be in line for the dukedom and a rather large fortune that he has made little effort to disguise he is in desperate need of.”

“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “So that is why you allowed your cousin to be invited to Lady Montgomery’s.”

“Yes.”

She pondered a long moment. “Perhaps he was the obvious choice, but he could hardly have been the one to pull the trigger on this eve. Not unless he is a magician.”

“He could have paid someone else to do the evil deed while he was standing at my side. What better means to ensure no one believes he is guilty?”

She blinked at the devious implications. “So you think…”

“At this moment, I do not know what to think.” He heaved a sigh of aggravation as he tugged her close to his chest and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “All I know for certain is that I am weary and in need of a few hours sleep. We can finish this conversation tomorrow. Or rather, later today,” he amended as he glanced toward the window where the faint hint of a rosy dawn could be detected.

Brianna could not deny a desire to snuggle close to Edmond and rest her aching head for a short while. Despite the vibrant awareness, or perhaps because of it, she felt safe and protected and strangely peaceful in his arms. As if nothing could harm her so long as he held her near.

A sensation that was far more dangerous than mere desire.

“Edmond.”

“Mmm?”

“You cannot remain in this bed with me.”

“Be at ease, ma souris. I trust you with my virtue. At least for the next few hours.”

“And what of my virtue?”

“It is safe.” He smiled deep into her wary eyes before turning to blow out the flickering candle beside the bed. “At least for the next few hours.”

BRIANNA AWAKENED TO DISCOVER herself still cradled in Edmond’s arms. Not entirely shocking. She had not given more than a token resistance to rid her be

d of his presence, and then promptly ruined even that by falling asleep with remarkable ease.

It was rather shocking, however, to discover that sometime during the early morning hours, Edmond had shed the last of his clothes and that she was pressed possessively against his naked flesh.

For a moment, she allowed herself to savor the comfort at waking in a man’s arms. Then, with a muffled curse at her stupidity, she cautiously began to shift from beneath the leg that Edmond had thrown over her hips. Good lord, the entire household must be aware that Edmond was in her chambers and that he had slept in the same bed.

What must they be thinking?

Intent on her escape, Brianna had managed to wriggle less than an inch when the arms wrapped around her tightened with an unyielding force.

“Good morning, ma souris. How did you sleep?”

Unable to move, Brianna tilted back her head to discover a slit of brilliant blue shimmering between the thick lace of his lashes. Her heart gave a violent jump at the sight of his lean features still softened by sleep and his dark hair tumbled onto his forehead.

He looked younger, more…vulnerable. As if he might actually possess a heart beneath all that ruthless strength.

“Well enough, considering that you consumed far more than your fair share of the bed,” she muttered, her breath oddly elusive as his soft chuckle brushed over her cheek.