Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

Brianna barely managed to hide the idiotic grin that had spread across her face as Lady Aberlane swept into the room, her fluff of white hair pulled into a simple knot and her dark eyes snapping with excitement.

Taking the seat the footman held for her, Letty pressed her hands together and leaned forward.

“So, my dear, has it arrived?”

Brianna could not resist a bit of teasing as she reached for the nearby teapot. “Good morning, Aunt Letty. Will you have some tea?”

The older woman gave a flutter of her hands, ignoring the steaming brew that Brianna poured.

“Now, do not be so cruel as to leave me in suspense. You know how I look forward to your little baubles.”

“Baubles?” Brianna laughed with rueful humor, recalling the emerald drop earbobs, the diamond bracelet, the sapphire necklace and a dozen other pieces of jewelry that had been delivered. “Only a ducal family could consider the gifts that Edmond sends to me as little baubles.” To prove her point, Brianna pushed the velvet-

lined box that sat next to her plate across the table. “That little bauble must be worth a fortune.”

With a happy twitter, Letty tugged the lid off the box, her expression becoming one of stunned disbelief as she lifted her head to meet Brianna’s suddenly wary gaze.

“Oh…my.”

Brianna’s pleasure at the brilliantly flawless ruby ring surrounded by diamonds faltered at the sight of her companion’s strange reaction.

“I should return it.” She wrinkled her nose. “Even to my untrained eye it is obviously far too generous a gift.”

Letty cleared her throat. “It is rather more than generous, my dear.”

“What do you mean?”

“This ring belonged to Edmond’s mother.” Closing the lid of the box, Letty slowly pushed it back across the table. “Indeed, it is an heirloom.”

Brianna’s heart slammed against her ribs, whether from panic or giddy excitement impossible to determine.

She should have suspected, of course. Such a perfect gem was not the sort of thing a man strolled into the shop to purchase for his passing fancy. For God’s sake, the diamonds that surrounded the ruby could feed half of London for a year.

No, such an object was intended to be passed from one generation to another.

“Good lord, whatever is he thinking?”

Letty arched a knowing brow. “He is thinking that he desires his wife to possess his most prized possession.”

“But…” Brianna licked her suddenly dry lips. “Surely this should go to Stefan’s bride?”

“Stefan was given the Huntley jewels, as is only fitting for his position. Edmond was given his mother’s property to pass along to his wife and daughters.”

“His wife.”

“Yes.”

“He truly is the most stubborn, intractable man I have ever encountered,” she muttered, her fond tone belying her words.

Sipping her tea, Letty watched her over the edge of the china cup. “He is not the only stubborn one, I think.”

“You surely cannot be referring to me?”

“I may be old, but I am not yet entirely blind, Brianna. It is obvious that you love my nephew.”

There was no point in denying the accusation. For all her determination to pretend indifference, even the most addlebrained fool could deduce she was utterly, completely and hopelessly in love with Lord Edmond Summerville.

“Yes, I love him.”