Scoundrel's Honor (Russian Connection 3)

Dimitri arched a brow. “Are we?”

“If you wish, I could perhaps escort you to those amusements that Huntley would never approve of.”

Dimitri hid his stark satisfaction. He was a gambler who understood never to overplay his hand.

“That is a generous offer, but you cannot wish to escort a foreign stranger about town,” he said, a hint of wariness in his voice. It would be unnatural

for him not to be suspicious of such an offer.

Sanderson offered an unctuous smile. “I consider it my duty as an Englishman.”

“Duty?”

He tugged on the cravat tied about his fat neck. “You cannot return to Russia assuming all Englishmen are as pompously dull as Huntley and his ilk. We do have a reputation to uphold.”

“And?” Dimitri prompted, folding his arms across his chest.

“What do you mean?”

He paused, narrowing his gaze. “Forgive me, I am by nature a suspicious man. I prefer to have the cards on the table, as you English say.”

Sanderson’s smile widened with approval. Clearly he appreciated Dimitri’s blunt acceptance that the offer of companionship was not without cost.

“Very well.” He stepped close, lowering his voice to make certain they could not be overheard by the few guests strolling across the terrace. “I believe we can be of service to one another.”

Dimitri gritted his teeth. He longed to wrap his hands around the nasty man’s throat and choke the truth from him. A pity he could not be certain Sanderson had any connection to his father or the kidnapped girls. For now he had no choice but to remain patient and hope the man would lead him to the truth.

“I am prepared to listen.”

Sanderson cast a nervous glance toward the light from the gallery windows that spilled across the terrace. Understandable. Wicked deeds belonged in the shadows.

“You wish your visit to London to be a memorable event and I am familiar with an assortment of establishments that are willing to cater to a gentleman’s every need.”

“Every need?”

The nobleman leered in anticipation. “Absolutely.”

Dimitri pretended to consider the offer. “And what would you desire in return?”

“I share your love for adventure, but like so many noblemen my current finances are in straightened circumstances.”

“Ah. I would of course be happy to finance any expenses we might incur.”

Sanderson’s loathsome chuckle echoed through the garden. “When do you wish to begin?”

NO ONE COULD HAVE BEEN more astonished than Emma to discover herself a source of fascination among the elegant English ton. In truth, she had anticipated her charade being exposed the moment she stepped over the threshold of the town house. Instead, she had been surrounded by a bevy of curious aristocrats who vied to capture her attention.

Oh, she comprehended that a measure of their interest was stirred by her arrival in the company of the Duke and Duchess of Huntley. And, of course, by being on the arm of Dimitri, who appeared to terrify society with his ruthless beauty and hint of savage danger in his golden eyes.

But she was female enough to accept that had she not been so frantic to discover some hint of her sister, she might have taken pleasure in the soiree.

Instead, she stood at Leonida’s side with a smile forced onto her lips and waited for Dimitri to covertly trail Lord Sanderson onto the terrace. The man had confessed what he had learned in the brothel, but had adamantly refused to allow Emma to be a part of the search for Anya.

Which meant Emma intended to take matters into her own hands.

Leaning close to Leonida, she whispered into her ear. “It is time.”

The duchess covertly tugged Emma away from the crowd, her beautiful face creased with concerned.