Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“I do not know what I feel for Edmond. Most of the time, I want to slap his smug countenance.”

“Ah, my dear.”

Brianna stiffened at the hint of pity in the older woman’s voice. The last thing she needed was sympathy. She had far more than most women.

“It does not matter. Stefan has promised me a home here at Meadowland for as long as I wish. Once I have my inheritance, I intend to purchase my own establishment.”

Letty blinked in surprise. “Do you?”

“Yes.”

“And have you told the boys of your plans?”

Brianna gave a startled laugh. Only Lady Aberlane would con

sider two of the most powerful gentlemen in all of England as boys.

“Once I reach my majority, it will be none of their concern. I shall be free to do as I please. It is all I have ever desired.”

Whatever the woman might think of Brianna’s bold plans was to remain a mystery, because the carriage was suddenly swaying as a passing coach rammed directly into their side.

“Oh, my,” Letty gasped, struggling to stay in her seat. “Some drunken buffoon, I suppose.”

“At this hour?” Brianna peered out the window. Her heart stuttered to a halt as she recognized the blue and gold livery of her stepfather’s grooms. “No. Dear God, no.”

“What is it?”

“That is Thomas Wade’s carriage.”

The words had barely left her lips when the sound of shots being fired echoed through the air. She threw herself to the opposite seat to wrap the fragile older woman in her arms. Her body reacted on instinct, even as her mind refused to accept what was happening.

It was as if her worst nightmare was coming true. And there was not a damnable thing she could do to halt it.

More terrifying shots rang through the air, and both women screamed as the carriage veered into the ditch and slammed to a painful stop. They did not overturn, thank the good lord, but the abrupt motion managed to toss them roughly against the far door.

“Letty?” Pulling back, Brianna studied her companion with a frantic gaze. “Letty, are you hurt?”

Lady Aberlane lifted a shaky hand to straighten her bonnet. “No, no. Just a bit breathless.”

Brianna’s relief lasted less than a heartbeat as the door to the carriage was suddenly wrenched open and the ghastly sight of Thomas Wade appeared in the opening.

Bile rose in Brianna’s throat at the sight of her stepfather’s thick, flushed countenance and pale eyes that glittered with hunger.

“You bitch,” he growled, reaching out to grab Brianna’s arm in a painful grip. “You thought you could escape me?”

Brianna struggled desperately as Thomas pulled her toward the door, but she was barely half the size of her stepfather and there was no means to battle against him as she was hauled ever closer.

“Have you lost your mind? You could have killed us.”

His fat lips twisted in an ugly smile. “I would rather have you dead than out of my grasp.” With one last heave, Thomas pulled her out of the carriage and had his hand wrapped around her throat. Brianna had only a brief moment to see that at least two of Stefan’s footmen were lying on the ground bleeding and that the groom was surrounded by Thomas’s henchmen. “You belong to me, Brianna. Do not ever forget that.”

Barely capable of breathing, Brianna lifted her hands and futilely tugged at the fingers threatening to crush her throat.

“So beautiful. I will hide you away where no one can find you,” he muttered, almost to himself, loosening his grip on her throat.

Brianna forgot the pain in her throat as horror shuddered through her.

“You…bastard,” she hissed. “Stefan will see you hanged.”