Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“And having me as a sister-in-law is, of course, unacceptable,” she mocked.

His breath hissed between his clenched teeth.

“Completely unacceptable.”

She turned her head to glare at the pretty fountain that sprayed water from the head of a marble angel, but not before Edmond caught sight of the hurt in her eyes.

“So I am good enough to warm your bed, but not good enough to wed your brother.”

Edmond belatedly realized he should never have approached Brianna while he was still raw with anger at having seen her with Stefan. Dammit. He had made a muck of the entire situation and he had no one to blame but himself.

“It has nothing to do with you being good enough.”

She turned back in frustration. “Then what does it matter to you?”

“It matters because I will kill him,” he bluntly admitted. “Is that clear enough for you, Brianna?”

She stumbled backward at his blatant threat.

“You’ve gone stark raving mad.”

“Perhaps I have.” Edmond offered a shallow bow. “Keep that in mind the next occasion you throw yourself in Stefan’s arms.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

AFTER THE SCENE IN THE garden, Brianna knew it would be impossible to return to the house and pretend nothing had occurred. Instead, she continued down the graveled path that led to the pretty grotto that possessed a perfect view of the lake.

It had always been one of her favorite places, and in the past, she had spent hours playing with her dolls or serving Stefan pretend tea upon the marble bench. There had also been a few hours devoted to spying upon Edmond when he had lured one of his numerous ladies into the nearby maze so he could steal kisses, and probably a great deal more.

Brianna paced the marble tiles, struggling to slow the rapid pace of her heart.

Why was he acting like a jealous husband, prepared to attack at the least hint of provocation?

After nearly an hour of brooding, the only conclusion that made the least amount of sense was the fact that Edmond’s possessiveness had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Stefan. Although the two brothers openly loved one another, there was no doubting there had always been an unspoken competition between them when they were younger. A simple game of croquet could come to near blows.

The explanation did nothing to ease the smoldering anger. It was hardly flattering to be thought of as a piece of property, but it did help her to restore those fragile barriers that protected her heart.

Whatever this was between her and Edmond was no more than a passing madness. A brief flame that would burn itself out and leave nothing but fading memories.

The reassuring thought had barely passed through her mind when the sound of approaching footsteps had her swiftly glancing down the path. She had a moment of near panic before it eased, as she realized the darkly handsome male rapidly making his way to the grotto was Stefan, not Edmond.

“Brianna? Am I intruding?”

“Of course not.” She managed a smile at his hesitant tone. “Please join me.”

Walking up the steps, Stefan stood next to her at the open window.

“You have been out here for a considerable length of time. Is anything the matter?”

“I am just out of sorts.” Her attention returned to the glitter of the lake. When she was just a youngster, Stefan had often taken her fishing at the edges of the water, and even taught her to swim despite his mother’s chiding that it was hardly seemly for Brianna to be splashing about in nothing more than her shift. A faint, longing ache touched her heart at those carefree days. “’Tis nothing to trouble you.”

“I would be a poor host if I were not troubled to have one of my guests so unhappy.” His fingers trailed a soft path down the curve of her cheek. “What did Edmond say to you?”

Astonished as much by his unexpected caress as by his words, she turned to meet his searching gaze.

“What?”

“I saw the two of you. In the garden.”