Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

His arms tightened about her. “Or if you prefer, we can simply mingle among the vendors that arrive daily to do business on the river. You have never tasted anything so fine as their fresh gingerbread.”

“It seems odd to watch the sleighs travel over the river as if it is just another road.”

She felt him shrug. “During much of the winter, it is the most important road in all of St. Petersburg, since most of the bridges are removed once the river freezes over. Ah.”

“What is it?”

“Watch the sky,” he commanded.

“Why?”

“Just be patient.”

Wondering if there were about to be a fireworks show over the city, she obligingly tilted back her head, waiting for the explosions. What she witnessed instead was a slow kaleidoscope of colors spreading across the sky as the sun sank behind the horizon. From pinks to lavenders to the deepest mauve, the beautiful palette brushed over the spires and domes of the city, making Brianna catch her breath in wonderment.

“Oh…I have never seen anything so exquisite.”

She felt his chest expand as he breathed out a soft sigh. “Neither have I.”

Turning her head, Brianna realized that Edmond was gazing at her profile, not the spectacular sunset. Her heart slammed against her chest as a thick, ready awareness heated the air between them. With a soft groan, he lowered his head to capture her lips in a sweetly savage kiss.

Brianna allowed herself to savor the taste of brandy on his lips, the potent pleasure of his tongue as it dipped into her mouth, the strong hands digging into her waist as his body hardened with need.

At last, it was the belated realization that they were in full view of the house that made her pull back with a small gasp.

“Edmond, someone will see.”

Denied her lips, Edmond pushed her hood back far enough to skim his own lips down the curve of her cheek.

“Let them watch. I do not care,” he rasped, his breath scalding against her chilled skin. “Moya duska.”

The unfamiliar Russian words managed to penetrate the intoxicating sensations tingling through her body. Her fingers dug into his arms as her knees threatened to buckle.

“What did you say?”

“I said that, if you think the winter sunset is beautiful, just wait until the summer and the white nights,” he easily lied, clearly unwilling to reveal the meaning of his husky words. “The Emperor will no doubt invite us to his yearly celebration on the solstice.”

Turning in his arms, Brianna jutted her chin upward and forced herself to meet his brilliant blue gaze.

“No.”

“Brianna, you cannot ignore an invitation from Alexander Pavlovich, no matter how tedious his formal affairs can be,” he chided. “They are very much a royal command.”

“It has nothing to do with the invitation.”

“Then what is it?”

“I cannot remain in Russia until summer.”

Edmond dropped his arms and stepped back, his expression as cold as the air that cut through her cape with a sharp fury.

“Why not?”

She shivered, although not entirely from the cold. “I will reach my majority in May. I must be in London to sign the papers and receive my inheritance.”

“That can be dealt with by a solicitor.”

She narrowed her gaze. “You know how important this is to me, Edmond. I wish to handle the business in person.”