Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“No.” His stark denial echoed through the vast room. “The only one who could possibly desire to harm Brianna is Thomas Wade, and he is crazed with the need to have her in his bed, not in her grave. He would never attempt to kill her.”

“Perhaps not,” Boris said, clearly skeptical. “Who inherits her dowry should she die?”

“Enough, Boris.”

Boris held up his hands in a placating gesture. “I agree, it is unlikely that the bullet was meant for anyone but the Duke of Huntley, but a wise man once taught me that it is dangerous to leap to conclusions and close your mind to other possibilities.”

With an effort, Edmond uncoiled his tense muscles and sucked in a deep breath. Those were his words, of course. It was how he trained all of his employees.

It was far too easy to be blinded by the obvious, or worse, to allow emotion to overcome logic.

“A wise man, indeed.” His smile was strained as he conceded defeat. Boris was right. There were still too many unanswered questions to make any assumptions. “Tomorrow, I want you to discover whatever you can of Miss Quinn’s finances and if anyone stands to benefit from her death.”

Boris offered a ready nod. “What do you intend to do?”

“I have already sent a red rose to the King’s theatre to set up a meeting with Chesterfield.” Lifting a hand, Edmond rubbed the aching muscles of his neck. “If he is having Howard Summerville watched, as he is being paid to do, then someone must have seen something.”

“Yes.” Boris’s expression sharpened at the realization that there might very well be a witness to the attack. “Perhaps I should visit that pub and see if Chesterfield left a message—”

“In the morning, Boris,” Edmond interrupted, his expression uncompromising. “I have Danya keeping watch upon the grounds, but I prefer to have you near at hand in the event the villain decides to finish what he started.”

“Surely no one would be foolish enough to attempt to slip into this house?”

“So long as Brianna is beneath this roof, I intend to take no chances.”

Ignoring his companion’s speculative expression, Edmond turned to leave the library. He had given the women long enough to fuss over Brianna. For the remainder of the night, she would be in his care.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

IT WAS THE SOUND OF THE SOFT, yet fierce, argument that lured Brianna from the clinging sleep. For a long, painful moment, she struggled to recall where she was and what had happened.

She remembered being at Lady Montgomery’s soiree. And then following Edmond onto the balcony. But after that, everything was lost in the sensations of being held tightly in Edmond’s arms and the sway of the carriage. Now it would seem that she was tucked into her bed in the Huntley town house, with Janet standing guard at her door and Edmond not at all pleased to be prevented from entering the room.

“I said to stand aside, Janet,” he snapped.

“Nay.” The maid was at her most stubborn. “I will not have Miss Brianna disturbed.”

“I have no intention of disturbing her, nor do I intend to stand in this hall and squabble with you. Move aside, or I will move you.”

Brianna might have enjoyed the battle between the two obstinate, ruthless opponents, if it did not take her full concentration to hold back the looming darkness.

“Now you look here, sir, I don’t be caring how top lofty ye might be, ye don’t scare me.” Janet was utterly fearless as always. “’Tis yer fault that me mistress was wounded. The least ye can do is allow her to heal in peace.”

“You are treading a dangerous path, Janet.”

“It is my duty to protect my mistress. Especially when she is unable to protect herself.”

Brianna heard Edmond’s sharp breath and she forced her heavy lashes to lift so she could witness his hard, faintly outraged expression. She doubted it was often that Mr. Edmond Summerville had his honor questioned by a mere servant.

“What the hell do you think I intend to do with her?”

Janet snorted. “There is only one reason for a man to seek out a woman in her private chambers.”

“Christ. I am not Thomas Wade. I have no need to force myself on women. Especially not those who are unconscious.”

“Mayhaps not, but—”

Brianna was relieved, as Janet’s mulish words came to a startled halt as Boris suddenly appeared in the doorway, a faint smile on his harshly chiseled features.