Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“Of course. Russia is a beautiful, if rather frozen country, and you have made me very welcome, but England is my home.”

Vanya shifted on the bed, clearly caught off guard by Brianna’s firm insistence that she would be leaving.

“I can certainly understand your desire to return home, but surely Edmond will not wish to travel until you have completely healed?”

Popping the last of the gingerbread into her mouth, Brianna replaced the plate on the tray. Then, with a grim determination, she lifted her head to meet her companion’s searching gaze.

“My travel plans do not include Edmond, Vanya.” Her voice hardened. “Neither does my future.”

With a frown, Vanya reached to grasp Brianna’s fingers in a comforting grasp.

“Oh, my dear, I hope you do not blame Edmond for what happened to you? He could not possibly have known.”

Brianna shrugged. She did not blame him for her abduction. At least not directly. He could not have known Viktor Kazakov would be so desperate.

But she did blame him for having forced his way into her life and her heart, only to leave both a shattered mess.

Something she had no intention of confessing to anyone. Not even this kind, understanding woman.

“Perhaps not, but I can assure you that I was never shot or kidnapped or attacked until Edmond insisted that I play the role of his fiancée.”

Vanya arched a brow, her eyes questioning. “Actually, that is not entirely true, is it, my dear?”

“What do you mean?”

“Edmond did happen to mention that your stepfather attempted to kidnap you only days before you traveled to Russia.”

“Good lord, I had almost forgotten,” she breathed in genuine amazement. Thomas Wade and the fear he had once inspired seemed very far away. “Which only proves just how unnerving the past few weeks have been.”

“And you blame Edmond?”

Brianna hid a rueful smile at the disapproval that Vanya could not entirely hide. The older woman might have come to care for Brianna, but her loyalty still belonged to Edmond.

“It is not a matter of blame.”

“No?”

“It is…” Brianna heaved a deep sigh. “I just want to return to England and my quiet, uneventful life. That is what I have always wanted.”

Vanya tightened her grip on Brianna’s fingers. “And what if you carry Edmond’s child?”

Brianna did not flinch at the blunt question. In truth, she had given the matter a great deal of thought over the past few hours.

It would be weeks before she could know for certain whether or not she was pregnant, but she intended to be well-prepared. She would do whatever was necessary, make any sacrifice, to ensure that she could create a warm, secure home for her child.

“Then I will choose a cottage in a small village where no one knows me,” she said. “I have enough money to support a household and it will be a simple matter to pretend to be a widow.”

“And what of Edmond?”

“What of him?”

Vanya stared at her with more than a hint of incredulity. “You cannot truly believe that Edmond will simply allow you to disappear to a small cottage? Especially if he discovers you are carrying his child?”

“Why would he not?” Brianna demanded, refusing to acknowledge the sharp pain that stabbed through her heart. “Our relationship was always destined to be a temporary affair, as Edmond has made painfully clear. No doubt he is already searching for another to take my place.”

Vanya tilted back her head to chuckle with unexpected amusement.

“Good lord, Brianna, you truly are an innocent.”