Scoundrel's Honor (Russian Connection 3)

Not only had he risked his life to rescue the poor girls from the brothel the previous evening, but he had sacrificed his pride to request Dimitri’s release, even though he would as soon cut out his tongue.

And there was no escaping the knowledge that he had done so for her.

Just as so many others had suffered to assist her.

“Forgive me, Rajih, I never intended to put you in this awkward position,” she said. “I have caused enough trouble for others.”

Rajih frowned, cupping her chin to lift her face so he could study her suddenly subdued expression.

“None of this is your fault, habiba.”

She could only wish that were true. Perhaps then she would not be plagued with a relentless guilt.

“If I had not been so stubbornly determined to chase after Anya, then Dimitri would be enjoying his life in St. Petersburg and you would not be forced to jeopardize your friendship with the pasha to plead for his release.”

“The fault lies with the men who kidnapped the girls to sell like animals, not you.”

“Still—”

He placed a finger across her lips, his gaze sweeping over her face with an odd yearning.

“Emma, the past cannot be altered. We must consider the future.”

She sucked in a deep breath, ignoring the stench of horses and unwashed body that tainted the air. Her regrets would have to wait until she had the time and opportunity to make amends. Instead, she grabbed Rajih’s hand and regarded him with a determined expression.

“You are right, of course, but that does not mean I am willing to abandon Dimitri.”

The dark eyes simmered with something that might have been disappointment before he had smoothed his features to an unreadable expression.

“I am not suggesting that you abandon him, but rather that you use your own influence to ensure that he is found innocent,” he said, his voice smooth.

She stepped back, suddenly wary. “You want me to speak with the pasha?”

His brows lifted at her impetuous words. “No, as charming as our leader would no doubt find you, this is a country that believes a woman should remain silent behind the walls of the seraglio. He would not allow you to testify on Tipova’s behalf.”

“Barbaric.”

“It is the way of my people.”

“Then how can I help?” She twisted her hands together in frustration. She detested the sense that she was helpless to rescue Dimitri. “You just admitted that Baron Koman has proven to be a traitor.”

“Yes.” Rajih’s expression hardened, warning that Koman could expect to be punished for his treachery. “A most unexpected complication.”

“Does Dimitri know why the baron would claim he is guilty?”

Rajih shrugged. “He says he does not.”

“Maybe he is a part of the trafficking and now hopes to deceive others into believing Dimitri is responsible,” she absently mused.

“It would be a convenient means to make another pay for his sins,” he agreed. “But Dimitri is convinced there is another forcing the baron to do his bidding.”

She snorted. “Dimitri is not always so infallible as he wants others to believe.”

His lips twisted. “I will readily agree with Tipova’s bloated arrogance.”

Emma glanced toward the looming citadel, shivering despite the heat of the late-afternoon sunlight and the heavy ivory-colored robe that was richly embroidered with pearls.

“If I am not to approach the pasha or Baron Koman, then who am I supposed to influence?”