Monroe held his hand up in a gesture of appeasement. “Be at ease, Edmond. I am merely pointing out that you have obviously judged her to be worthy of your trust. An honor you have never before offered to any woman beyond Vanya.”
Realizing that his melodramatic reaction had revealed far more than he desired, Edmond gave a restless shrug.
“I have known Brianna Quinn since she was born. That aggravating chit may be stubborn, annoyingly independent and incapable of admitting that I know what is best for her, but she would never betray me.” His voice held an absolute faith. Brianna Quinn might be the most maddening woman alive, but he would readily trust her with his very life. “She is incapable of such treachery.”
“A woman of worth, then.”
“Yes, she is.”
The dark eyes held a knowing glint. “As I have said…a distraction.”
“Surely it is time that we were on our way to dinner?”
Moving forward, the older gentleman placed a hand on Edmond’s shoulder.
“Just be on your guard, Edmond. There is a tension in the palace on this night.” He shook his head as Edmond’s lips parted. “And before you ask me to explain, I cannot. It is nothing more than a feeling in the air. As if lightning were about to strike.”
“Or a powder keg about to explode,” Edmond murmured, recalling Herrick’s words months earlier.
“Precisely.”
WAITING UNTIL SHE WAS certain that Edmond had left for the Winter Palace, Brianna pulled on a night robe and climbed into her bed with a sigh of relief.
Perhaps a part of her should be annoyed that she was banned from the public rooms as if she were some shameful secret that must be hidden away, but in truth she was simply relieved that she would not be expected to attire herself in a fine dress and mingle among a crowd of strangers. Her stomach was once again tender and her body so weary that she wanted nothing more than to curl beneath the heavy covers and sleep for the next fortnight.
It was near an hour later when there was a light tap on her door and Vanya peeked her head into the room.
“May I enter?”
Feeling embarrassed to be caught taking to her bed at such an early hour, Brianna shoved herself into a seated position.
“Of course. I would love the company.”
Pushing the door wide, Vanya stepped over the threshold, holding a silver tray in her hands.
“I have brought you a small surprise.”
Brianna’s embarrassment only deepened. “Good heavens, you have no need to wait upon me, Vanya.”
The older woman merely smiled as she crossed to settle on the edge of the bed, placing the tray across Brianna’s legs.
“I enjoy ensuring that my guests are comfortable.”
&
nbsp; “But your maid already sent me a dinner tray,” Brianna protested as Vanya poured a cup of the hot tea and added several small spoons of sugar to the steaming liquid.
“One that you returned without even having taken a bite,” Vanya retorted. “My poor cook was nearly in tears.”
“Oh.” Brianna winced as she recalled the plates of exquisite food that had been delivered and returned. Just the scent of roasted duck and rich lobster in butter had made her stomach heave in protest. “Please assure your cook that the food was perfectly lovely, but my stomach seems to be off today.”
Vanya removed the white linen napkin from a plate on the tray to reveal the fresh gingerbread biscuits. “Perhaps a cup of tea and a biscuit will help.”
Brianna breathed in deeply, relieved when she felt nothing more than a faint pang of hunger.
“Actually, it does smell wonderful,” she murmured, taking a bite of the gingerbread before sipping the tea.
Vanya watched Brianna with an odd expression as she polished off two of the biscuits and drank the tea.