“Not wishing someone dead does not mean…” Her words broke off in a groan as his lips discovered the sensitive spot just below her ear. “Oh.”
He nipped the lobe of her ear. “Can you at least confess that you desire me?”
“I do not want to,” she rasped, even as her head arched back to invite his caress.
“Leonida.” He trailed his lips over her cheek, careful to keep his touch light. He was acutely aware of her painful injury. Any further seduction would have to wait until she was fully healed. “My sweet dove. I will not allow you to slip away again.”
She reached to clutch at his shoulders, the heat of her hands searing through the thin linen of his shirt.
“I must go home.”
Her words hit him like a blow. Did she truly believe that he would allow her to walk away?
He pulled back, a disturbing fear clutching his stomach as she lifted her lashes to reveal an unexpected determination.
“No. My carriage will be waiting in St. Petersburg. Return to Meadowland with me.”
She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. “You know that is not possible.”
With an effort, Stefan contained his burst of frustration, instead rising to his feet so he could cross the room and stir the fire. He had devoted his entire adult life to avoiding the complications of women who desired more than he was willing to offer. Perhaps it was the irony of fate that ensured the one woman he refused to allow out of his life was so determined to leave.
The flames flared and crackled, filling the small room with heat. Setting aside the poker, Stefan turned to meet her guarded gaze.
“Anything is possible.”
“If it were known I
was staying beneath your roof without Lady Summerville to act as guardian my reputation would be in tatters.”
“Then you can stay at Hillside,” he easily countered. “I know Brianna would be delighted to have your companionship. Especially now that she is confined to the house.”
“And your brother would be wishing me to the netherworld.”
He leaned against the rough stone wall, knowing quite well that Edmond would readily open his home if he thought it would please his brother.
“I can ensure Edmond is welcoming.”
“No, Stefan.” Her voice was low, but unhesitating. “My place is in St. Petersburg.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
LEONIDA PULLED THE BLANKET over her trembling body and settled deeper against the pillows as Stefan paced the floor. She was still annoyingly weak from her injury. Or at least, she told herself it was her injury. What else besides the shock and loss of blood could make her hands tremble and her skin feel cold and clammy?
She was not about to admit that the unpleasant sensations were entirely due to the thought of her bleak future without Stefan.
Reaching the window, Stefan abruptly turned on his heel and paced back toward the bed to glare down at her undoubtedly pale face.
“And what waits for you in St. Petersburg beyond your mother?” he abruptly demanded.
She swallowed her sigh of frustration. Why was he making this so difficult?
Deep in her heart she ached to do whatever necessary to keep Stefan in her life. But her logic understood that she would court nothing but disaster to give in to her desires.
What did he offer beyond the risk of scandal? Desire, of course. What else? Fleeting affection?
Life had taught her that affection was as undependable as it was costly.
Just look at the mess she was in because of her devotion to her mother.