Edmond sucked in a deep, calming breath, his temper clearly strained far more than he had realized by the past few hours.
“Just consider, Boris,” he said, his voice deliberately even. “For now, Howard must only be r
id of Stefan and myself to gain a vast fortune and grand title. Not entirely impossible, if he is willing to be patient and await the proper opportunities. If, however, he is convinced that the Duke of Huntley is about to wed, he will be forced to take swift measures before Stefan can begin producing a pack of potential heirs.”
Boris turned the words over in his mind before at last giving a grudging nod.
“I suppose it might provoke him.”
“Suppose?” Edmond straightened from the mantle. “It is a bloody well brilliant notion.”
“And one that allows you to keep Miss Quinn near at hand.”
This time Edmond merely smiled, his composure under firm control. “Do you have a point?”
“Yes, I have a point,” Boris said. “It is not like you to allow yourself to be distracted once you have decided upon a course of action. Especially not by a mere female.”
Edmond gave a sharp bark of laughter. “Brianna Quinn is not just a mere female, Boris, she is a force of nature. And I am not distracted. Like any good tactician, I merely have altered my plans to take advantage of the unexpected opportunities presented to me.”
“And that is all she is? An unexpected opportunity?”
“Enough.” Edmond held up a warning hand. He would not discuss his desire for Brianna. Not with anyone.
Boris heaved a gusty sigh before conceding defeat. “Very well. What do you wish of me?”
“I need you to keep a careful eye upon Miss Quinn.”
“You fear she will betray the truth as she has threatened?” Boris demanded in surprise.
“No, but I do believe she is still in danger. Thomas Wade will not willingly allow her to slip from his grasp.”
“Damn you, Edmond, I am not a nursery maid. I should be keeping watch upon your cousin. If your scheme is successful, and Summerville is forced to strike in a hurry, then you will be in grave danger.”
Edmond hid a smile at the man’s offended tone. “Yes, which is why neither of us is capable of keeping a close enough guard upon Howard.”
The hazel eyes flashed with irritation. “So now I am not only lowered to being no more than a nanny, but you also intend to insult my skills?”
Once again, Edmond was forced to battle a smile. There was never anyone less suited to play the role of nanny. On the other hand, there was no one more suited to keeping Brianna safe.
“Never that,” he assured his companion. “But I can hardly shadow a gentleman who knows me so well and you, old friend, do not precisely blend in with the London natives. Not even Howard is dim-witted enough to overlook such a great brute following him about London. The last thing I desire is to spook the bastard off before he can attempt to kill me.” He lifted his hand as Boris thinned his lips with disapproval. “And before you protest, I assure you that this has nothing to do with Miss Brianna Quinn. I made the decision to hire a professional before we ever left Surrey. In fact, I have an interview with a potential candidate this afternoon.”
Boris jutted his jaw forward. He clearly wanted to argue, but the expression on Edmond’s face halted the words before they could leave his lips.
“So I am just to trail behind a half-sized wench for the next few weeks?”
Edmond chuckled as he moved to the desk and picked up the bottle of whiskey. Turning, he shoved it into Boris’s hand.
“Actually, I have a far more dangerous task for you this morning.”
Boris had been with Edmond long enough to take a deep, fortifying chug of the spirits before asking.
“And what is that?”
“I need you to release Brianna’s screeching maid from the chamber I locked her in earlier this morning.”
DESPITE THE NIGGLING VOICE that told her she should be grateful at having escaped the clutches of Thomas Wade, Brianna had managed to work herself into a fine temper by late afternoon.
Damn Edmond. How dare he storm from the room and then disappear for hours on end? He had to realize she would be worried sick about her future.