Scoundrel's Honor (Russian Connection 3)

It seemed like an eternity before she at last heard the sound of voices in the inner courtyard. With a small cry of relief she darted from her private rooms, only to be forced to halt as she realized Rajih was not alone.

Standing behind one of the carved-marble columns, she watched as Rajih directed his servants to care for the five young girls huddling together in obvious fear.

She was briefly distracted as she studied the pale, dirty faces of the poor females who were dressed in gauzy trousers and tiny vests that revealed more of their shivering bodies than they concealed.

They looked so terrified. As if they could not allow themselves to believe they were actually safe in Rajih’s care.

And who could blame them? They had spent weeks being held hostage, forced from one place to another with the constant threat of being raped, or worse, hanging over their heads. It might very well be they would never again be able to trust in others.

Her heart constricted with unbearable pity, fiercely glad that Dimitri had managed to put a dagger in Valik’s black heart.

It was only a pity that the other men involved in the hideous business were not destined for a similar fate.

She waited until the robed servants had led the wary girls toward the back of the harem before she stepped from behind the column.

Sensing her presence, Rajih spun on his heel, his eyes widening in surprise as she launched herself forward, straight into his welcoming arms.

“Emma.”

“Oh, Rajih, thank God,” she husked.

He brushed his lips over the top of her head before pulling back to study her with a searching gaze.

“Should I be delighted by such a fervent greeting or alarmed?”

“Are those the girls from the brothel?”

His dark eyes shimmered with regret. “They are.”

“What will happen to them now?”

“Tipova implied that the current Russian ambassador is not to be fully trusted with young, vulnerable girls, so I will have my personal servants return them to St. Petersburg.”

She managed a small smile. If not for Dimitri Tipova, she was quite certain she would have lost her heart to this man.

“That is very generous,” she said. “You are a good man, Caliph Rajih.”

He shook his head, his fingers tucking her tangled curls behind her ear.

“You might wish to withhold your kind opinion,” he warned. “I fear I have unfortunate news.”

She pulled back, belatedly recalling he had put himself in danger to rescue the girls. Who knew how many guards Valik had left behind at the brothel?

“You were not hurt, were you?”

His dark features softened at her impulsive concern. “No, I am fine.”

“Then what has happened?”

He paused, clearly reluctant to reveal what was upon his mind.

“Emma, your sister was not among the girls I rescued from the brothel,” he at last disclosed. “I questioned the females but they claimed that Anya has been kept separate from them since they left England and they have no knowledge of where she is.” His arms tightened around her, as if fearing she might suddenly bolt into the night. “I have servants searching for her, but for the moment it seems that she has simply disappeared. I am sorry, I should have been quicker to send in my guards.”

Emma grimaced, regretting that Rajih was torturing himself with guilt at having failed her.

“No, Rajih, Anya fled before you were able to enter the brothel,” she swiftly reassured him. “All that matters is that you managed to rescue the other girls.”

“She fled?” Rajih frowned in confusion. “Alone?”