Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“Is it not rather early for a visit?”

“Not at all.” Edmond tossed the reins to the waiting groom and leaped onto the cobblestone street. Then, rounding the vehicle, he spanned Brianna’s tiny waist and gently lifted her from her seat. “There is no one home.”

Standing at his side, Brianna studied the whitewashed façade of the house with its garland-decorated pilasters and a fan window above the recently painted door.

“If there is no one home, then why are we here?”

“So I can give you your surprise.”

She flashed him a baffled frown. “Edmond, you are being incredibly annoying.”

“And you are dawdling. Come along.” Taking her arm in a firm grip, he led her through the wrought-iron gate and up the wide steps. They halted at the door, and Edmond reached into his pocket to withdraw the heavy key. “Here. I think you should do the honors.”

She blinked, staring at the key that lay in the palm of his hand.

“What do you mean?”

“I have given a great deal of thought to the perfect wedding present, ma souris.”

“For goodness sakes, Edmond, you have already given me more than any woman could possibly desire.”

He shrugged. “Mere trinkets that any man could purchase with enough wealth. This gift had to be special. Something that would prove that this is no bout of guilt or passing fancy. Something to convince you that all I desire is your happiness.”

She regarded him with wide eyes, the pulse fluttering at the base of her throat the only indication she was affected by his words.

“And it is in the house?” she whispered.

Realizing she was too bemused to obey his bidding, Edmond unlocked the door himself and gently pressed her into the marble foyer decorated with matching satinwood chairs and a small cherry table with a vase of fresh pink roses.

“It is the house.”

“You…” She shook her head in stunned amazement. “You bought me a house?”

Edmond smiled wryly. “Well, I will admit that I have great hopes that you will choose to live with me at Huntley House, or if you prefer, we can purchase our own town house. But since the first night we met, your one insistent, unwavering, at times aggravating desire has been to possess your own home, has it not?”

“Yes, but…”

Tossing the key on the nearby pier table, Edmond reached to grasp her trembling hands, his expression somber.

“I understand, ma souris. I understand what this house truly represents.”

She gazed at him with wide, vulnerable eyes. “Do you?”

“Security,” he breathed. “The absolute knowledge that you will never have to depend upon the whims and weaknesses of another. And that there is always a place where you can go to feel safe.”

Without warning, tears rolled down her cheek. “Yes.”

Unable to bear to see her cry, Edmond cradled her face in his hands and gently rubbed away the tears with his thumbs.

“So you see, even if you wed me, you will always have your own establishment to offer you shelter if you think I am b

eing overbearing or annoying or…”

A tremulous smile curved her lips. “Or?”

He lowered his head to capture her lips in a soft, yearning kiss. “Or we simply decide to vary the location of our lovemaking,” he whispered against her mouth.

For a moment she melted against his ready body, only to pull back with a sudden gasp.