Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“Of course not. I was about to take Brianna in to breakfast, will you join us?”

Brianna refused to flinch beneath the diamond-hard glare. She had been doing nothing wrong and she would not allow Edmond to make her feel guilty.

“I have some business I must attend to first.” His voice could have sliced through stone. “I will join you later.”

“Very well.” Watching his brother turn away, Stefan slid Brianna a speculative gaze, taking her hand and placing it on his arm. “Come along, my dear.”

Allowing Stefan to lead her into the magnificent dining room, Brianna took a moment to appreciate the glossy walnut table that could easily seat two dozen guests and the scrolled sideboard that was set beneath the large window that overlooked the distant lake. The ceiling had been painted during the reign of Charles II; it portrayed the Huntley coat of arms in glorious detail.

It was a beautiful room that still echoed with the laughter of glittering guests.

With a wistful sigh, Brianna moved to take her seat, only to come to a startled halt when she was nearly bowled over by a large dog that bounded around the table.

With an exclamation of delight, Brianna leaned down to rub the floppy ears, her mood lifting as the hound wiggled with open delight.

“Good heavens, this cannot be Puck?”

“Actually it is Puck the Second.” Stefan heaved a sigh of disgust, even as a fond smile curved his lips. “He is just as worthless a hunter as his father, but I could not have him put down.”

“Of course you could not. You have far too tender a heart.”

“Hmm. Should I be flattered or offended, I wonder?”

“Flattered. Most certainly flattered.”

Stefan waved aside one of the numerous uniformed servants and held out a chair.

“If you will have a seat, I will fill you a plate.”

Brianna took her seat and flashed him a teasing smile.

“Why thank you, Stefan. It is not often that a woman is waited upon by a Duke.”

“Think nothing of it,” he murmured, moving to rapidly fill two plates with the buttered eggs, toast, kippers and thickly sliced ham. Returning to the table, he placed one of the plates in front of her before taking a seat at her side. “After all, a man is expected to tend to the needs of his fiancée.”

“Oh lord, I had almost forgotten about that.” She reached to place her hand on his arm. “I assure you, Stefan, it was not my notion. I would never want to put you in such an awkward position.”

“I am assuming that Edmond had his reasons, although he has yet to fully explain them to me. And in truth, I do not consider it awkward to have my name coupled with such a beautiful woman. It can do nothing but elevate my reputation in society.”

Brianna grimaced. “Hardly that. Do not forget, I shall always have the taint of Thomas Wade upon me.”

“Do not say that, Brianna.”

“Why not? It is true enough. If it had not been for the power of the Huntley name, I would never have been allowed into society. And who could truly blame them?”

“I do. Your father was an honorable gentleman who was well-respected throughout England. You have every reason to be proud, Brianna.”

She briskly thrust aside the threat of tears. “It does not matter. Once you announce that the engagement is at an end, it will soon enough be forgotten.”

He studied her determined expression, his eyes far kinder than Edmond’s, but no less intelligent.

“There is no hurry.” He reached for his fork. “Now tell me, my dear, did Edmond treat you well while you were in London?”

“Well enough.” She took a bite of toast, vividly aware of Stefan’s gaze. “You know, Stefan, I feel as if I have been gone forever. I simply have to know all the news from Surrey. I heard Sarah Pierce married Sir Kincaid’s youngest son. Did you attend the wedding?”

Stefan’s expression warned that he was aware that there was something she was hiding. Unlike his brother, however, he possessed enough manners not to press her. Instead, he readily distracted her with the various news he thought might interest her, allowing her to keep her secrets without censure.

Brianna wondered, not for the first time, how two men could look so much alike and be so completely different.