Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“Aye, sir.”

“Edmond…no.”

Brianna reached for the handle of the door, but her hands were trembling so badly she could not work it. Then it no longer mattered, as the carriage gave a violent lurch and they were out of the ditch and flying down the narrow road toward Meadowland.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

EDMOND WAS STANDING AT the window of his brother’s study when the sound of the door opening had him spinning about to regard Stefan with a lift of his brows.

“Well?”

“They both will survive, thank God, although it will be some time before James can resume his duties,” Stefan revealed, speaking of the two wounded footmen. Moving to the desk, Stefan took his seat and reached for his quill. “I must make a note to remember to see to his family. I believe he has a number of children.”

Edmond was far less concerned with the wounded footmen than with protecting the woman who had been so nearly stolen away from him. Brianna had endured enough. He would not have her become the subject of unpleasant rumors if it were discovered Thomas Wade had attempted to kidnap her.

“And the doctor?”

Stefan glanced up with a frown, his face pale. “What of him?”

“You told him our story?”

“He is convinced that my carriage came upon Thomas Wade, who was in the process of being held up by a gang of ruffians, and that the footmen were shot while attempting to run them off.”

Edmond nodded. The fabrication was not his best, but it was simple, and most importantly, impossible to disprove. Not unless one of the participants was stupid enough to speak out of turn.

“And you are certain that your servants will keep the truth to themselves?”

Stefan stiffened in offense at the question. “Of course. My servants are completely loyal. I am far more concerned with the bastards who worked for Wade.”

“They know better than to contradict what I have told them to say,” Edmond assured him, his lips twisting as he recalled the servants on their knees as they pleaded for mercy. He did not doubt that they were halfway to France by now. “They understand that I will not hesitate to kill them.”

“Nor I,” Stefan muttered, shoving himself to his feet as he paced the worn carpet. “Damnation. I will never forgive myself for allowing Brianna to be put in such danger.”

Edmond ignored his instinctive annoyance at Stefan’s possessive concern. He had no one to blame but himself for leaving Brianna in his brother’s care, a mistake he would not make again.

“Stefan, you could not have known that Thomas Wade was desperate enough to risk kidnapping Brianna in broad daylight.”

“But you did.”

“And I was still very nearly too late. I was a fool to ever allow her out of my sight.”

Stefan took a jerky step forward, his hands clenched at his sides. “What the devil are you saying?”

“I intend to take her back to London with me.”

“You must be jesting?”

Edmond folded his arms over his chest, his expression settling into lines of grim determination.

&nb

sp; “She needs my protection.”

“She would be no safer in London. In fact, your enemies pose a far greater danger than Thomas Wade.” Stefan narrowed his gaze. “Or have you forgotten she was shot while in your care?”

“Take care, Stefan.” Edmond’s voice was dangerously soft. He loved his brother more than anyone in the world, but Brianna would be leaving with him. By force if necessary. “Besides, we are not remaining in London. At least not for long. Viktor Kazakov is set to travel to Russia on Thursday, and I will be on the ship with him.”

“Good lord. Edmond, you cannot take Brianna to Russia.”