Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

Brianna gave a strangled gasp. Good lord. Did the woman possess no fear?

Or sense?

Thankfully Edmond did no more than narrow his gaze in warning. “Do you not have need to tend to your guests, Vanya?”

With a chuckle, Vanya obligingly moved toward the door, pausing to cast Edmond a last glance. “I will go, Edmond, but do not forget that I am mistress of this house and my sympathies will always go to my fellow women. If I decide you are not treating her with the proper respect, I will have you thrown out.”

Waiting until the door closed behind the older woman, Edmond ruefully shook his head.

“This seemed like a good notion when we were in London. Now I begin to wonder if I have made a mistake.”

With an effort to appear casual, Brianna wandered toward the ormolu and marble table that held a collection of jade figurines.

“Why?” she demanded. “I like Vanya.”

“I am not at all surprised,” he muttered. “The woman is convinced that men should be kept as trained pets that she can toss in the gutter when she wearies of them.”

“And what is wrong with that? That is how women have been treated for centuries.”

Without warning, Brianna found herself pressed to the nearby wall, Edmond’s hard body leaning heavily against her.

“Edmond…”

“I was not jesting, ma souris,” he rasped, his hand cupping her chin. “I am no hound on the leash, and Vanya’s household is unconventional to say the least. Any number of gentlemen will be eager to have such a young and beautiful woman within their reach. I will not tolerate having them make advances toward you.”

Brianna cursed her flare of satisfaction at the dark possession in his voice.

“For God’s sake, Edmond, it is not the Middle Ages,” she forced herself to say. “I am not your chattel.”

He covered her lips with a savage kiss, his fingers tugging at the buttons of her gown.

“Chattel or not, you are mine,” he whispered against her lips. “Do not ever forget that.”

Brianna gasped as her bodice was jerked open and his fingers slipped beneath her corset to tease her breasts.

“You make it difficult to forget,” she muttered, her lids sliding downward as his mouth nuzzled a path of fire down her throat.

“Difficult?” He pressed his lips against the frantic pulse at the base of her neck. “I intend to make it impossible.”

THE SNOW THAT HAD BEEN threatening the entire day was beginning to fall in earnest as the elegant sleigh carried Herrick Gerhardt and Edmond away from the bustle of St. Petersburg. Not that the chill air was allowed to penetrate the heavy furs that lined the interior of the sleigh, or the slick roads to slow the dozen outriders that served as guards.

Herrick often conducted his most confidential business far away from the prying eyes of the Winter Palace and was wise enough to ensure his guests were made comfortable.

Leaning back in the wide seat, Edmond sipped the perfectly aged brandy and forced his thoughts from the woman he had left tucked in her bed at Vanya

Petrova’s.

Christ. Their furious bout of lovemaking had left even him shaken. Not out of fear he had hurt Brianna in any way. Hell, she had whispered encouragement with every frantic thrust.

No, it had been his overpowering urge to satisfy her so completely that she could think of no one but him, desire no one but him.

As if he could actually brand her with his passion.

Which was as ridiculous as it was disturbing.

“Edmond?”

With a shake of his head, Edmond drained the last of his brandy and turned his attention toward the gentleman seated across from him.